delivery of remains to the mortuary facility. Remains
must be prepared under approved high standards of the
mortuary profession and returned to the final
destination in their most normal and lifelike
appearance.
INITIAL PREPARATION
Remains may be refrigerated for short periods
pending arrival of a transportation vessel or arrival of
the government embalmer.
To minimize cellular
deterioration, remains should be refrigerated above the
freezing point at 36 to 40F (2.2 to 4.4C).
OVERSEAS FACILITIES
Government mortuary facilities are located in
various overseas areas and have the responsibility to
furnish mortuary services for all eligible categories of
military and civilian personnel.
The geographical
a r e a s o f r e s p o n s i b i l i t y a r e o u t l i n e d i n t h e
CINCPACINST 5360.1, Geographic Responsibilities
f o r
M o r t u a r y
O p e r a t i o n s .
A l s o
c o n s u l t
NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1 for locations of overseas
mortuaries.
When death occurs in overseas areas not served by
facilities listed in NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1,
request assistance from the senior naval command. In
some areas, Department of State sources may have the
capability to render advice or assistance. The senior
naval command may also be able to arrange airlift of
remains from the place of death to a point where a
government mortuary or a commercial facility is
available, or arrange for emergency dispatch of a
qualified embalmer from an overseas government
mortuary to the place of death.
CERTIFICATE OF DEATH (OVERSEAS)
When remains are transferred from an overseas
activity to a CONUS point of entry, three signed copies
of DD Form 2064, Certificate of Death (Overseas),
must accompany the remains. Failure to include the
DD Form 2064 may cause delays in providing further
transfer within CONUS. Additionally, at least two DD
Form 565,
Statement of Recognition, should be
included.
BURIAL CLOTHING
The service dress blue uniform or (if this uniform
is not available for deceased personnel) the appropriate
winter service dress uniform, with authorized insignia,
devices, badges, decorations, underwear, and hose are
the only approved items for burial, unless other items
are specifically requested by the NOK. Shoes and
headgear should also be procured when required or
requested. These items may be withdrawn from the
deceaseds personal effects or purchased from the
Navy Exchange, Navy Retail Clothing Store, or
Marine Corps Clothing Store. When not available
through these sources, procurement through
commercial sources is authorized.
When suitable
items are not available for personnel who die outside
the 48 contiguous United States, the U.S. port of entry
should be contacted and given estimated uniform
sizes, as soon as possible, so burial clothing can be
purchased.
Funding for uniform items is noted in
NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1.
When requested by the NOK, remains may be
attired in a white uniform or civilian clothing
consisting of appropriate outer clothing, underwear,
hose, and, if specifically requested, shoes. Items of
clothing in the individuals possession at the time of
death should be used if available and in satisfactory
condition.
PLACEMENT OF REMAINS IN CASKET
OR TRANSFER CASE
Normally, remains are placed in a specification
casket or transfer case in a manner that will create an
appearance of rest and composure. Precautions should
be taken to ensure maintenance of position during
transit.
Each remains returned in a transfer case will be
wrapped in a white cotton sheet plus a second
wrapping in a polyethylene cover, and sealed with
pressure-sensitive tape or heat sealed.
CASKETS
There are two sizes of caskets.
Each is an
18-gauge silvertone metal sealer with a cut top. The
standard size casket has internal dimensions of 23 x
78 inches (58.4 cm x 1.98 m), while the oversize
casket has internal dimensions of 25 x 81 inches (63.5
cm x 2.06 m).
INSPECTION OF REMAINS
After processing or reprocessing and before
shipment, all remains should be inspected in
accordance with NAVMEDCOMINST 5360.1. The
decedent affairs officer (DAO) is responsible for
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