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

18–9. Format
The SCMO report will be prepared in memorandum format. A sample memorandum is found in DA PAM 638–2. The
report will include—
a. Person eligible to receive PE information. The name, address, and relationship (to the deceased or missing
person) of the PERE.
b. Collection and payment of debts. The means used to determine existence of local debtors or creditors and the
amount of money, if any, collected and disbursed.
c. Cash accounting. The total amount of cash received from the sale of PE and the authority therein.
d. Claims for the PE. Any written claim received and a summary of any verbal claim received by the SCMO from
persons other than the PERE.
18–10. Required documents
The SCMO will attach to the original report the following documents, as applicable:
a. Appointing order. Copy of order appointing the SCMO.
b. Transportation order. Copy of order authorizing shipment of PE to or from OCONUS.
c. Letters to the PERE. A copy of each letter sent to the PERE concerning the disposition of PE:
(1) SCMO’s summary letter to the PERE.
(2) Letters concerning non-shippable items. A copy of the letter advising the PERE of any items that cannot be
shipped at Government expense (such as more than one motor vehicle).
(3) Shipment notification letter. A copy of the letter advising PERE of the date PE were shipped, the method of
shipment, and the anticipated date of arrival.
d. Will. A certified true copy of any will(s) or testamentary letters found in the PE.
e. Documents of sale of PE. A copy of each bill of sale for items sold and the authority for the sale (powers of
attorney, letters to the eligible recipient, and so forth).
f. Bulletins. Copies of means used (such as daily bulletins) to determine the existence of local debtors or creditors.
g. Receipts. A copy of each receipt signed by debtors or creditors for amounts of money, if any, collected or
disbursed.
h. Letters to creditors. A copy of each letter sent to creditors advising them of insufficient funds to cover debt and
to communicate direct with the PERE for settlement of account.
i. Letters to other interested parties. A copy of each letter sent to other interested parties to include the divorced
parents of an unmarried deceased, if applicable (see app J).
j. Certificate of destruction or withdrawal. Certificates of destruction or withdrawal for any PE destroyed or
withdrawn to include a copy of DA Form 3645 showing turn in of organizational clothing and individual equipment
(OCIE) to supply channels.
k. Inventory of PE held by civil or military law enforcement authorities. A copy of each receipt for PE being held as
evidence by military or civil police, criminal investigators, or other authorities.
l. Inventory of PE shipped. Copy of inventory DA Form 54 (Record of Personal Effects) annotated verifying
contents of packages and attesting to the sealing of packages sent to the PERE by the SCMO.
m. Shipping documents. Copy of documents showing shipment of PE. Such documents include postal receipts,
application for shipment of HHG, inventories of HHG, and bills of lading.
Chapter 19
Person Eligible to Receive Effects
19–1. PERE
The PERE is the person to whom the Army will deliver or ship the deceased or missing person’s PE. Only one person
at a time may be the PERE. The PERE order of precedence is found in paragraph 19–5.
19–2. Determine the PERE
The SCMO appointed by the home station CAC determines the PERE using available personnel records, the order of
precedence in paragraph 19–5, and the procedures found in DA PAM 638–2. The PADD is not necessarily the PERE.
When a question arises as to who is the PERE, assistance from the CDR, PERSCOM (TAPC–PED–D), should be
requested in making the determination.
19–3. Relinquishment of PERE authority
The PERE may relinquish the rights to receive the deceased or missing person’s PE. The relinquishment must be
written, dated, signed by the PERE, and witnessed by an Army representative (a sample is located in DA PAM 638–2).
AR 638–2 • 22 December 2000
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