LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall guidelines for requesting cremation of remains.

When requested in writing or by telegram, cremation is authorized, subject to compliance with civil regulations. No overt action by naval authorities should be made to encourage the NOK to elect cremation. Cremation will not be permitted if any questions exists concerning an individual's legal right to direct disposition of the remains.

AT-SEA DISPOSITION

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall burial-at-sea procedures.

Commanding officers who receive requests for at-sea disposition of remains or cremains (cremated remains) will forward the request to the appropriate fleet commander-in-chief (CINC) and requested port of embarkation. Fleet CINCs are authorized to designate activities to accept remains or cremains on a "not-to-interfere basis." The port of embarkation will coordinate the arrangements. Upon receipt of authorization, the date of committal or dispersion will be determined by the availability of resources. Except under unusual circumstances, civilian personnel will not be authorized to attend services aboard naval ships at sea or aboard naval aircraft. Exceptions that cannot be resolved at the delegated authority level will be referred to the CNO for final determination. Refer to NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1 for eligibility and specifics.

PUTREFIED REMAINS
When the mortician is unable to arrest the odor of remains, they will not be accepted for burial at sea. The odor generated for such remains will detract from the dignity of the ceremony and will have a detrimental effect on the officers and men of the vessel. Cremated putrefied remains may be accepted.

CEREMONY RECORDS
Since civilians are not normally allowed to attend ceremonies aboard naval ships or aircrafts, photographs and/or video of the ceremony will be taken. Both a letter describing the ceremony and the burial flag will be sent to the NOK, in accordance with NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1.

CONSIGNMENT AND TRANSPORTATION OF REMAINS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall consignment policies and authorized methods of transportation of remains.

Activities that arrange transportation have the responsibility to provide expeditious transportation and a confirmed schedule as soon as possible by whatever methods meet the requirements. Consideration should be given to any special desires of the NOK, including releasing the remains for transportation that they may wish to provide.

CONSIGNMENT
Remains may only be consigned to a funeral director, the director or superintendent of a national cemetery, or the consignee designated by the MEDDEN Affairs for unclaimed remains. In addition to the above consignees, cremains may be consigned to the PNOK or person designated by the PNOK.

AUTHORIZED METHODS OF TRANSPORTATION WITHIN THE UNITED STATES

Authorized methods of transportation within the United States include government air, commercial air, chartered air taxi, and funeral coach.

Government Air
Government air is not authorized within CONUS without approval of the CNO (OP-414). If the circumstances indicate government air, MEDDEN

Affairs should be contacted for guidance and assistance.

Commercial Air
Commercial air may be supplemented by either rail or funeral coach transportation. An escort must travel with the remains. If delays en route or changes in schedule occur, the escort must notify the installation arranging the transportation and the consignee.

Chartered Air Taxi
Chartered air taxi service may be authorized when commercial air is not available to the destination and the use of a funeral vehicle or rail would cause undue delay.

Funeral Coach
The funeral coach method of transportation may be used under any of the following circumstances:

To transfer remains from the place of preparation to another local funeral home, to a local cemetery, or to a common-carrier terminal
When common-carrier service is not available
When a common carrier is available only part of the way to the place designated by the PNOK, then funeral coach service may be used for the remaining portion of the transportation authorized

When the cost is not in excess of the common-carrier cost

When the cemetery cannot provide transportation from the terminal to the cemetery, a funeral coach may be used as a continuation of common-carrier service when remains are consigned directly to a national cemetery or a Navy cemetery or plot

To transfer remains from the common-carrier terminal at destination to the funeral establishment, and to deliver remains to the local cemetery or crematory

When requested by the NOK, and the family member defrays costs in excess of the method that would have been used by the government
When the use of a common-carrier service will involve extended layover, and this method will expedite the arrival