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 ·   W h e n    t h e    c e m e t e r y    c a n n o t    p r o v i d e 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 t e r m i n a l   a t   d e s t i n a t i o n   t o   t h e   f u n e r a l 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 TRANSPORTATION OF CREMATED REMAINS 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 When persons 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. 16-9