DECEDENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM

Question 1

Current Death Program

Answer 1

Operational on a worldwide basis during peacetime and may continue to exist in an
area of conflict during major military operations depending on the tactical situation
Provides professional mortuary services, supplies and related services incident to
care and disposition of remains.

Question 2

Graves Registration Program

Answer 2

(a) Operational when authorized by the responsible commander during major military
operations (wartime usually).
(b) Search, recovery and evacuation (to a temporary cemetery/mortuary due to tactical
situation and logistic capability).

Question 3

Concurrent Return Program

Answer 3

(a) Combines Current Death Program and Graves Registration into one program.
(b) Supports large numbers of military personnel committed to a strategic area.
(c) Originates as Graves Registration in the search and recovery.
(d) Switches to current death for identification, preparation of remains and shipment to
a final destination designated by the NOK.
(e) When this program is canceled, it reverts back to the Current Death Program.

Question 4

Family Support Programs

Answer 4

Return of Remains Program:
(a) Activated upon special legislation of Congress to achieve the following:
1) Provides for permanent disposition of remains buried in temporary cemeteries
that could not be evacuated under the Concurrent Return Program.

Can authorize the establishment of one or more permanent American cemeteries
in the overseas area, thereby giving the PNOK the option of having the remains
buried therein or shipped to another place of the PNOK’s choosing in CONUS
for burial.

Question 5

Casualty Assistance Calls Program

Answer 5

The CACP coordinator for the area in which the next of kin resides designates an
active duty commissioned officer or a well-qualified senior enlisted member to
serve as the Casualty Assistance Calls Office

Question 6

The first call should be made to the NOK within ? hours of death

Answer 6

24

Question 7

The CACO
helps the PNOK and SNOK with problems surrounding the death and provides
information on such matters as

Answer 7

1) Disposition of remains
2) Death gratuity and unpaid pay and allowances
3) Personal effects of deceased

Question 8

Decedent Affairs Program

Answer 8

BUMEDINST 5360.1 series

Question 9

Decedent Affairs Program Objectives

Answer 9

(1) Immediate recovery and identification of deceased personnel.
(2) High standards of and uniformity in services provided.
(3) Minimum elapsed time between death and delivery of remains or cremains to the
primary next of kin (PNOK).
(4) Prompt notification to the PNOK and secondary next of kin (SNOK) concerning matters
applicable to the Decedent Affairs Program.

Question 10

command responsible for the Decedent Affairs Program

Answer 10

Commander, Naval Medical Command And Commandant Of The Marine Corps

Question 11

Commander, Naval Medical Command And Commandant Of The Marine Corps Responsible for

Answer 11

1) Formulation and promulgation of policies
2) Standards
3) Procedures
4) Training

Question 12

officials responsible for the Casualty Assistance Calls Program

Answer 12

The lines of authority and responsibility flow from the Chief of Naval Personnel
through the Commander, Naval Military Personnel Command

Question 13

officials responsible for the administration of Decedent Affairs Program functions

Answer 13

(1) Commander, Naval Military Personnel Command acts as program coordinating
authority providing centralized direction and technical support.
(a) Regional administration and coordination is delegated to specific commands listed
in OPNAVINST 1770.1 Enclosures (2) and (3).

Question 14

officials responsible for directing the disposition of unidentified remains.

Answer 14

Commander, Naval Medical Command (MEDCOM-332) directs disposition of
unidentified remains.

Question 15

What are considered primary expenses

Answer 15

Expenses incurred in connection with

1) Recovery
2) Preparation
3) Encasement of remains

(anything that touches the body)

Question 16

What are considered

Secondary Expenses

Answer 16

Expenses incurred in connection with the funeral and burial of remains ( Extra Stuff like transport of relatives, flowers)

Question 17

Requests for extension

Answer 17

commanding officer of that activity for coordination with member’s commanding
officer and the appropriate PSD office

Question 18

Reporting Deaths of Active Duty Members

Answer 18

MILPERSMAN 1770-010
BUMEDINST 5360.1 SERIES
OPNAVINST 1770.1
Manual of the Medical Department, Chapters 16 and 17.

Question 19

MILPERSMAN 1770-010

Answer 19

Personnel Casualty Reporting Requirements

Question 20

BUMEDINST 5360.1 SERIES

Answer 20

Decedent Affairs Manual

Question 21

OPNAVINST 1770.1

Answer 21

Casualty Assistance Calls and Funeral Honors Support

(CAC/FHS) Program Coordination

Question 22

Preservation of Remains Temperature range

Answer 22

36-40(2.2-4.4 degrees Celsius)

Question 23

Notification to Next of Kin during Search Operations

Answer 23

Next of kin must be notified that a search is being conducted and should be advised of
progress at least daily

Question 24

Uniform provided to Naval personnel for Burial

Answer 24

(1) The Service Dress Blue uniform:
(a) Cap if requested
(b) Shoes if requested
(c) Underwear and hose
(d) Insignia, devices, badges and decorations as authorized the deceased will be
provided.

Question 25

Committal at Sea Procedures (Casket)

Answer 25

1) A minimum of 20 holes, 2 inches diameter is placed in the casket to permit rapid
entry of seawater.
a) 8 in base
b) 4 in each half of the lid
c) 2 in each end

Question 26

Committal at Sea Procedures (materials)

Answer 26

Use porous materials such as cloth, paper, cardboard, tape to preclude visibility of
remains through drilled holes.

Question 27

Committal at Sea Procedures (weight requirements)

Answer 27

When appropriate, place weights in the foot end of the casket to assure rapid feet
first submersion. Such weighting may be necessary only in those instances when
casket and remains together weigh less than 300 pounds.

Question 28

Committal at Sea Procedures (Banding)

Answer 28

(d) Casket must be banded with 5 nylon bands of not less than 3/4 inch width to prevent
the divided lid from opening.
1) 2 in each half of the lid
2) 1 lengthwise from top to base

Question 29

Committal at Sea Procedures (Committal)

Answer 29

Committal at sea of remains shall be conducted outside the 3-mile limit of the
continental shelf and at depths greater than 100 fathoms (600 feet).

Question 30

DD Form 2064

Answer 30

Certificate of Death