OUTSIDE CONUS ESCORTS
When remains are consigned to a place outside CONUS where Armed Forces representatives or other government officials are not available to receive, transfer, or otherwise assist in transportation arrangements, military escorts will be provided.
Unless a special escort is requested by the PNOK and approved by the COMNAVMEDCOM, remains transported by MAC aircraft from a point outside CONUS to a CONUS port of entry will not be accompanied by an escort. The aircraft commander will act as the escort during the time of transport by MAC aircraft. An escort will be detailed by the military activity responsible for transportation arrangements at the CONUS port of entry.
SELECTION OF ESCORTS
Any Navy member on active duty may serve as an escort. Navy members who volunteer may be accepted if they meet the criteria for selection of a regular escort. Unless a special escort is requested by the NOK, the escort selected should be of the same branch of service, status, and paygrade of the deceased. The escort should be a friend of the deceased, from the same unit, and preferably of the same religion.
SPECIAL ESCORTS
All requests for special escorts must be referred to the COMNAVMEDCOM. A special escort is defined as a person requested specifically by the PNOk or by his or her representative, or a person assigned by an appropriate command because unusual circumstances prevail and such assignment is considered in the best interest of the naval service.
If desired by the PNOK, a civilian or member of another service may be assigned as a special escort. An escort in retired or inactive status should be treated as a civilian. All military special escorts are assigned subject to availability as determined by their CO and, unless closely related to the deceased, generally are not authorized outside CONUS.
DUTIES OF THE ESCORT
A naval escort is a representative of the Navy who will be required to perform services of a very special and personal nature. It is very important that these duties are thoroughly explained to the escort. Providing instructions to the escort is the responsibility of the command arranging for transportation of the remains. The Manual for Escorts of Deceased Naval Personnel will assist in this function. For additional information, refer to BUMEDINST 5360.1.
DISPOSITION OF PERSONAL EFFECTS
The CO will order all personal effects of the deceased to be collected and inventoried, except where the member occupied Government or public housing and the spouse requires no assistance. In the event the spouse dies simultaneously with the service member, the CO will cooperate with surviving relatives of the deceased and civil authorities in providing protection for the property of the deceased.
The CO will appoint an inventory board consisting of two members. Normally, one member is a commissioned officer. The inventory will be recorded on an Inventory of Personal Effects Form, NAVSUP Form 29. An original and four copies will be prepared, duly attested, and signed by the board members. The board will send all five copies with the personal effects to the supply officer for completion, disposition, and signature. The supply officer will return three signed copies. The inventory board will send one copy to the COMNAVMILPERSCOM, file one in the service record of the deceased, and send one to the officer who appointed the board.
CIVIL CERTIFICATES OF DEATH
A civil certificate of death must be obtained if a death occurs within one of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia. If the death occurs outside these areas, with the exception of Guam, a Certificate of Death (Overseas),