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 hospital’s 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 director’s services,  clergyman’s 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 16-6