other services are involved, BUMED and MEDDEN
Affairs should be notified by priority message to
ensure immediate interdepartmental coordination.
PROCURING MORTUARY SERVICES
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E :
R e c a l l
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 hospitals
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 arrange-
ments, 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, encase-
ment, 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 directors services,
clergymans services,
opening and closing the grave,
floral tribute, and
obituary notices.
PREPARATION AND PROCESSING
REMAINS
L E A R N I N G O B J E C T I V E :
R e c a l l
procedures for preparing and processing
remains.
It is imperative that preservative treatment be
initiated as soon as possible after death. The naval
authority with decedent affairs responsibility should
maintain close coordination with appropriate military
or civilian authorities to ensure the prompt release and
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