Cremated remains (cremains) of active duty personnel will be hand carried by an escort, and transported using commercial air, rail, a funeral director's vehicle, or other appropriate vehicle. When an escort is not authorized, cremains may be transported by registered mail (preferred method), air, or surface transportation to the PNOK, or to a specified individual designated by the PNOK.

TRANSPORTATION OF REMAINS OF CONTAGIOUS OR COMMUNICABLE DISEASE VICTIMS

When death is the result of a contagious or communicable disease, remains, after embalming, should be placed immediately in a transfer case or casket. The transfer case or casket should be closed immediately and a gummed 2" x 4" label, marked "CONTAGIOUS" should be affixed to the outside of the receptacle at the head end. Information concerning diseases considered contagious may be obtained from local or state health officials. When the remains carry communicable or contagious disease, make sure that the consignment message specifically states that death was due to a contagious or communicable disease.

AUTHORIZED TRANSPORTATION TO OR FROM CONUS

Remains of eligible decedents who die outside the 48 contiguous United States will be transported by the most expeditious U.S. government means; normally, government air (Air Mobility Command (AMC) flights) are used. If such transportation is not available, impractical, or would cause undue delay, commercial air may be authorized by MEDDEN Affairs.

OUTSIDE CONUS DESTINATIONS
Whenpersons eligible for decedent affairs benefits are consigned to a destination outside the 48 contiguous United States, the activity responsible for preparation and transportation will contact the nearest consul of the country concerned to ascertain the requirements for entry, and assure that all requirements are met before arranging transportation of the remains. Failure to do so could lead to serious delays. Three certified copies of the civilian certificate of death should accompany the remains.

ESCORTS
LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall criteria for escort selection, and identify escort duties and responsibilities.

Escorts are provided to accompany remains to ensure prompt, safe delivery, as a mark of respect to the decedent, and as an indication of the Navy's desire to help the NOK. Only one escort is authorized. More than one may be assigned; however, two escorts may not serve at the same time. Problems concerning arrangements for a Navy escort that cannot be resolved by the responsible command should be referred to MEDDEN Affairs or the area commander outside CONUS. Problems concerning Marine Corps members should be referred to CMC.

INSIDE CONUS ESCORTS
Within CONUS, escorts are detailed to accompany the remains or cremains of each Navy and Marine Corps decedent to their final destination. Furnishing escorts is the responsibility of the activity arranging transportation of the remains or cremains. When selecting an escort for the deceased, the activity arranging transportation is encouraged to consult the last duty station of the deceased.

OUTSIDE CONUS ESCORTS
When remains are consigned to a place outside CONUS where Armed Forces representatives or other government officials are not available to receive, transfer, or otherwise assist in transportation arrangements, military escorts will be provided.

Unless a special escort is requested by the PNOK and approved by MEDDEN Affairs, remains transported by AMC aircraft from a point outside CONUS to a CONUS port of entry will not be accompanied by an escort. The aircraft commander will act as the escort during the time of transport by AMC aircraft. An escort will be detailed by the military activity responsible for transportation arrangements at the CONUS port of entry.

SELECTION OF ESCORTS
Any Navy or Marine Corps member on active duty may serve as an escort. Navy and Marine Corps members who volunteer may be accepted if they meet the criteria for selection. Unless a special escort is requested by the NOK, the escort selected should be of the same branch of service, status, and paygrade of the deceased. The escort should be a friend of the deceased, from the same unit, and preferably of the same religion.

SPECIAL ESCORTS
A special escort is defined as a person requested specifically by the PNOK or by his representative, or a person assigned by an appropriate command because unusual circumstances prevail and such assignment is considered in the best interest of the naval service. All requests for special escorts must be referred to MEDDEN Affairs.

If desired by the PNOK, a civilian or member of another service may be assigned as a special escort. An escort in retired or inactive status should be treated as a civilian. All military special escorts are assigned subject to availability as determined by their CO and, unless closely related to the deceased, generally are not authorized outside CONUS.

DUTIES OF THE ESCORT
Anaval escort is a representative of the Navy who will be required to perform services of a very special and personal nature. It is very important that these duties are thoroughly explained to the escort. Providing instructions to the escort is the responsibility of the command arranging for transportation of the remains. The Manual for Escorts of Deceased Naval Personnel, NAVPERS 15955, will assist in this function. For additional information, you should consult NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1.

DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL EFFECTS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall disposition of personal effects policies.

All personal effects of the deceased are to be collected and inventoried, except where the member occupied government or public housing and the spouse requires no assistance. In the event the spouse dies simultaneously with the service member, the CO cooperates with surviving relatives of the deceased and civil authorities by providing protection for the property of the deceased.

The CO appoints an inventory board consisting of two members, of which one member is normally a commissioned officer. The inventory should be recorded on an Inventory of Personal Effects Form, NAVSUPForm 29. An original and four copies will be prepared and signed by the board members. The board will send all five copies with the personal effects to the supply officer for completion, disposition, and signature. The supply officer returns three signed copies. The inventory board sends one copy to the COMNAVMILPERSCOM, files one in the service record of the deceased, and sends one to the officer who appointed the board.