LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Determine when civil certificates are required and where they should be distributed.

A civil certificate of death must be obtained if a death occurs within one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. If a death occurs outside these areas, with the exception of Guam, a Certificate of Death (Overseas), DD 2064, should be prepared. This certificate is in addition to the civil certificate of death; however, the civil certificate of death is not required in all overseas areas. Civil authorities should be consulted to determine local requirements. When a death occurs at a naval activity in any state, territory, or insular possession of the United States, the CO will report the death to civil authorities (usually the coroner or medical examiner). It is a general practice for medical officers to complete a civil certificate of death for all deaths occurring in naval medical treatment facilities.

The medical officer or Medical Department representative of the ship or station where the deceased was attached will obtain the certificate from the civil authorities. If requested by the authorities, the civil certificate of death may be prepared and signed by a naval officer. If problems arise in getting a certificate, request assistance from MEDDEN Affairs. If death occurs abroad and no naval activity is available, the nearest consular officer should be requested to get a certificate. The medical officer or Medical Department representative will prepare and forward a DD 2064 with the civil certificate of death, supporting papers, and the closed health record.

In general (except where the state has retained concurrent jurisdiction with the United States, civil authorities have no jurisdiction over deaths occurring on naval reservations. However, a transit or burial permit should be obtained from civil authorities to remove the remains from a naval reservation either for shipment or burial. If death of any person for whomthe Department of the Navy is responsible occurs outside the limits of a naval reservation, the remains normally will not be moved until permission has been received from civil authorities.

DISTRIBUTION OF DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR DEATHS OCCURRING IN CONUS

When a Navy or Marine Corps death occurs in one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, follow local civil requirements. In addition, the following procedures in table 16-1 apply:

DISTRIBUTION OF DEATH CERTIFICATE FOR DEATHS OCCURRING OUTSIDE CONUS

When a Navy or Marine Corps death occurs outside the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, follow the local civil requirements. In

For CONUS decedents. . . Send copy of death certificate to. ..

Table 16-1.-Distribution of Death Certificate for Deaths Occurring in CONUS

addition, a DD 2064 is prepared and copies are distributed as outlined in table 16-2.

DEATH CERTIFICATES FOR SHIPMENT OF REMAINS

When death occurs outside CONUS, three signed copies of DD 2064 will accompany the remains to CONUS. When death occurs within CONUS, three certified copies of the civil certificate of death will accompany the remains from CONUS to outside CONUS, in addition to all other forms required by NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1.

NOTE: A certificate of death should not be prepared for persons listed as missing.

PAYMENTS AND COLLECTIONS

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall funeral payment and collection procedures.

Authorized Decedent Affairs Program expenses are chargeable to the special open allotment held by BUMED. In circumstances involving reimbursable transactions, costs may also be initially charged to the open allotment subject to reimbursement. The allotment may be charged by any Navy or Marine Corps activity assigned procurement or payment responsibility. Army and Air Force activities may charge the allotment when arranging for authorized supplies and services at the request of a naval activity.

PRIMARY EXPENSES
If the NOK makes arrangements for disposition of remains, rather than using services of DoD, or completes funeral arrangements before DoD services are offered, the amounts outlined below are allowed toward incurred expenses. The figures quoted are subject to change, so check the latest series of NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1 for the authorized allowances, or contact the MEDDEN Affairs.

When an Armed Forces contract or mortuary is available (and services were offered to the NOK) but not used, an amount not to exceed what procurement would have cost the Navy is allowed. This includes costs the Navy would have incurred over and above contract expenses. Contact MEDDEN Affairs for current allowance limits.

TRANSPORTATION EXPENSES
If the NOK arranges for transportation of remains, reimbursement may be made in an amount not to exceed what transportation would have cost the government. If the Navy has arranged for transportation and the final destination cannot be reached by common carrier, reasonable costs may be allowed for supplemental transportation by funeral coach or other vehicle.