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
