Care and Disposition of Remains - Army Publishing Directorate ...

16–2. Application for headstone or marker
a. Non-Government cemetery. If burial is in a non-Government cemetery, the PADD (or an interested individual)
may obtain a regulation Government headstone or marker, without cost, to mark the grave of an eligible deceased
person by submitting a completed VA Form 40–1330 (Application for Headstone or Marker) to the following: Director,
Monument Services (42–A), VA Central Office, 810 Vermont Avenue NW, Washington DC 20420. Blank forms will
be provided to the PADD by the CAO or the local funeral director. Blank forms are available at VA offices.
b. Government cemetery. If burial is in a Government cemetery, the director or superintendent of the cemetery or the
post commander will prepare the necessary form for the headstone or marker.
16–3. Memorial headstone or marker
a. Persons eligible for a memorial marker. The memorial marker is authorized for a soldier whose remains—
(1) Have been determined nonrecoverable.
(2) Were buried at sea, whether by choice of the PADD or otherwise.
(3) Were donated to science.
(4) Were cremated and the ashes scattered without interment of any portion of the ashes.
b. Inscription on memorial marker. Memorial markers will contain the inscription “In Memory of....”
c. Obtaining a memorial marker. The PADD may obtain without cost a memorial headstone or marker for eligible
decedents by submitting a completed VA Form 40–1330. This form will be addressed to the VA as in paragraph
16–2a.
16–4. Group burial marker
A group marker containing names of the decedents in the group will be erected by the Government in the Government
cemetery utilized for the group burial. Restrictions may apply on erecting the memorial marker in the same cemetery as
the group burial marker. The superintendent of the cemetery where the group burial was accomplished should be
contacted concerning erection of a memorial marker in the same cemetery. The marker can be erected by the PADD in
another cemetery (national or private) at the PADD’s own expense.
16–5. Shipment and erection costs for headstones or markers
a. Non-Government cemetery. The Government will prepay shipping charges on the headstone or marker for
delivery to the consignee (normally the cemetery where the headstone or marker will be erected). Costs for erecting the
headstone or marker in the cemetery is a reimbursable expense under the interment allowance.
b. Government cemetery. All expenses are borne by the Government.
Part Two
Disposition of Personal Effects of Deceased and Missing Personnel
Chapter 17
Personal Effects
17–1. Scope
a. The provisions of this chapter apply to all PE in the custody, control or under the jurisdiction of the Army except
for the PE of enemy prisoners of war and civilian internees (see AR 190–8 and AR 190–57).
b. The provisions of this chapter do not apply to—
(1) Disposition of PE of Armed Forces personnel other than Army. These PE will be processed as prescribed by
pertinent Service directives or as directed by the responsible commander.
(2) The PE in the custody of the legal representative or spouse of deceased and missing personnel. Transportation of
this property is governed by AR 55–355 and the JFTR.
(3) Transportation (as distinguished from recovery and disposition) of PE (see AR 55–71, chap 10).
(4) Disposal of abandoned or unclaimed property. Disposition of this property will be made through Defense
Reutilization and Marketing Service channels.
(5) The PE of enemy prisoners of war and civilian internees; disposition of their property is governed by AR 190–8
or AR 190–57.
(6) The PE of soldiers who are prisoners, absent without leave (AWOL), or deserters (see AR 700–84).
(7) The PE of soldiers who are patients in medical treatment facilities and not deceased (see AR 40–400).
17–2. Statutory authority
a. Deceased soldier. The law governing the disposition of a deceased soldier’s PE is codified at 10 USC 4712.
b. Missing soldier. The law governing the disposition of a missing soldier’s PE is codified at 37 USC 554.
AR 638–2 • 22 December 2000
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