Identification problems

Custom Search

Notification of next of kin

Hospital Corpsman Revised Edition

Preparation and processing remains

IDENTIFICATION PROBLEMS
All remains, except those that have been positively identified and are anatomically complete, will require additional study and processing by an identification specialist. The MEDDEN Affairs may be requested to provide an identification specialist to visit the activity and make a complete review, to assure that all possible techniques, methods, and procedures have been used to provide a positive identification. The CMC should be an information addressee when members of the Marine Corps may be involved. When members of other services are involved, BUMED and MEDDEN Affairs should be notified by priority message to ensure immediate interdepartmental coordination.

PROCURING MORTUARY SERVICES

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Recall mortuary services procurement methods, and recognize primary and secondary burial expenses.

Mortuary services for the remains of individuals eligible for Decedent Affairs Program benefits outside CONUS are specified in local instructions. Mortuary services within CONUS are provided by naval activities through annual contracts, individual purchase orders, or by private arrangements.

ANNUAL CONTRACTS
Annual contracts are awarded to funeral directors serving the local area of activities anticipating 10 or more deaths per year.

ONE-TIME CONTRACTS
One-time contracts (individual purchase orders) are issued by an activity to a funeral home when an annual contract is not in effect.

PRIVATE ARRANGEMENTS
Private arrangements are made by the PNOK. The PNOK should be advised of services and supplies available through Navy sources and on reimbursement limitations. Reimbursement limitations and reimbursement forms can be obtained by contacting MEDDEN Affairs or the local naval hospital's Decedent Affairs Office.

AUTHORIZED SERVICES
Annual contracts and one-time contracts cover primary funeral expenses but do not include secondary expenses. NOK should be tactfully encouraged to allow the Navy to make all primary-care arrangements, since greater benefits can be furnished throughout procedures. For more information concerning procedures and authorized items, consult NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1. Primary and secondary funeral expenses are explained in the following sections.

Primary Expenses
Primary expenses are expenses incurred in connection with the recovery, preparation, encasement, and burial of the remains. Primary expenses include

expenses incurred in the recovery and removal of remains,

embalmment,
casket and shipping case,
cremation,
interment,
clothing (e.g., military uniform), and
delivery of the remains to a common carrier terminal, a local cemetery, or crematorium.

Secondary Expenses
Secondary expenses are expenses incurred in connection with the funeral and burial of remains. Secondary expenses include

funeral coach,
transportation of relatives to the cemetery,
gravesite,
vault,
funeral director's services,
clergyman's services,
opening and closing the grave,
floral tribute, and
obituary notices.