expediting arrangements for transportation.   As such, personnel  should  be  available  at  all  times,  including Saturdays,   Sundays,   and   holidays,   to   perform inspections.     Before  acceptance,  the  inspector  must make sure that all services and supplies meet current specifications. CREMATION L E A R N I N G   O B J E C T I V E : R e c a l l 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 L E A R N I N G   O B J E C T I V E : R e c a l l 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 L E A R N I N G   O B J E C T I V E : R e c a l l 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 w h a t e v e r   m e t h o d s   m e e t   t h e   r e q u i r e m e n t s . 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 16-8