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