NAVPERS 1555D - Article 2

Question 1

Describe the eligibility criteria for at sea disposition of remains.

Answer 1

The eligibility criteria include members of the uniformed services, retired members, former members honorably discharged, U.S. Civilian Marine Personnel of the Military Sealift Command, dependents of members and former members, and other U.S. citizens determined eligible by notable service or contributions.

Question 2

How should requests for at sea disposition be submitted?

Answer 2

Requests should be referred by the CACO for active duty members or by the commanding officer to the Military Medical Support Office (MMSO) listed in Appendix H.

Question 3

Define the role of the Military Medical Support Office (MMSO) in the at sea disposition process.

Answer 3

The MMSO notifies the next of kin about the acceptance of remains, coordinates the scheduling of the committal, and advises of any changes that may delay the disposition.

Question 4

What happens once the remains are received by the shore facility?

Answer 4

The next of kin will be notified when a ship has been designated and an approximate sailing date is determined.

Question 5

How are changes in the disposition schedule communicated?

Answer 5

Any changes that would cause a delay exceeding the 10 weeks disposition date should be communicated by the MMSO to the next of kin and the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery (BUMED).

Question 6

Do civilian personnel have authorization to attend services aboard naval ships at sea?

Answer 6

No, civilian personnel are not authorized to attend services aboard naval ships at sea or aboard a naval aircraft.

Question 7

Describe the requirements for a request to the MMSO regarding disposition of remains.

Answer 7

A signed and properly witnessed request and authorization from the primary next of kin or designated person is required, along with Appendix I for PNOK use.

Question 8

Define the necessary permits for the disposition of remains at sea.

Answer 8

A transit/interment permit issued by responsible civil authorities or a certificate of cremation is necessary.

Question 9

How is a death certificate related to the disposition of remains?

Answer 9

A certified copy of the certificate of death is required, and if applicable, a burial at sea certificate issued by the state medical examiner.

Question 10

What should be done in cases of death from a communicable disease regarding cremains?

Answer 10

It may be necessary to contact the State Board of Health for guidance on at sea disposition of such cremains.

Question 11

Explain the location requirements for committal at sea of remains.

Answer 11

Committal at sea must occur outside the 3-mile limit, off the continental shelf, and at a depth greater than 100 fathoms (600 feet).

Question 12

How should cremains be dispersed at sea from an aircraft?

Answer 12

Dispersion of cremains from an aircraft must occur at least 3 miles from the nearest land.

Question 13

What is the role of the naval activity in the consignment of remains for active duty personnel?

Answer 13

The naval activity is responsible for transportation arrangements and must coordinate with the MMSO to consign the casketed remains to a mortuary near the designated port.

Question 14

What expenses are considered part of private arrangements for active duty personnel’s remains?

Answer 14

Expenses incurred at the consignee funeral home are considered part of private arrangements and are reimbursable with limitations.

Question 15

How are inurned cremated remains handled for active duty personnel?

Answer 15

Inurned cremated remains must be consigned in coordination with the MMSO to a naval activity near the final disposition location.

Question 16

What is the responsibility of the MMSO regarding casketed remains?

Answer 16

The MMSO must ensure that the casketed remains are properly prepared in a metal casket.

Question 17

What action should be taken if a casketed remains does not submerge upon impact with water?

Answer 17

The commanding officer shall initiate action to retrieve the casket for additional weighing and drilling.

Question 18

Who bears the expenses for the preparation and delivery of remains for retired or former members?

Answer 18

The estate of the deceased must bear any expenses for preparation and delivery of the casketed remains or inurned cremains.

Question 19

Describe the attire required for personnel attending the at sea disposition services.

Answer 19

Personnel must wear the Uniform of the Day.

Question 20

How should the ship be positioned during the committal service if practical?

Answer 20

The ship should be stopped, and colors displayed at half mast.

Question 21

Define the role of the chaplain during the at sea disposition services.

Answer 21

The chaplain of appropriate faith conducts the service; if unavailable, the commanding officer or a designated officer may read the service.

Question 22

What is the first step in the committal service procedure?

Answer 22

The first step is have the station firing detail, body bearers, and bugler in place.

Question 23

Explain the significance of the phrase ‘All hands bury the dead.’

Answer 23

It is an announcement made during the officer’s call to gather personnel for the burial service.

Question 24

How is the burial service conducted in terms of formation?

Answer 24

The massed formation is brought to PARADE REST before the burial service begins.

Question 25

What actions are taken during the committal part of the service?

Answer 25

During the committal, personnel are at ATTENTION and give a HAND SALUTE.

Question 26

What follows the firing of three volleys during the service?

Answer 26

TAPS is played after the firing of three volleys.

Question 27

What is done with the colors after TAPS is played?

Answer 27

The colors are closed up, and the ship resumes course and speed at the last note of TAPS.

Question 28

What is the final step in the ceremonial procedure after the service?

Answer 28

The final step is RETREAT, after which personnel resume normal duties.

Question 29

What is the significance of wearing a mourning band during the funeral procession?

Answer 29

The mourning band is worn on the left arm by officers in the funeral procession and body bearers to signify respect and mourning.

Question 30

Describe the two component parts of the ceremony of at sea disposition.

Answer 30

The two component parts are the religious part, which includes the reading of scripture, prayers, the committal, and the benediction, and the military part, which involves other military personnel performing various aspects of the ceremony.

Question 31

How are casketed remains covered during at sea disposition?

Answer 31

Casketed remains are covered with the national ensign, with the union placed at the head and over the left shoulder.

Question 32

Define the role of body bearers during the at sea disposition ceremony.

Answer 32

Body bearers are responsible for carrying the casketed remains, forming according to height on both sides of the casket, and remaining uncovered below decks. They always carry the casket feet first.

Question 33

What is the procedure for the committal of casketed remains on a naval ship?

Answer 33

The selected place for committal is cleared and rigged to securely place the casket on a stand, with feet outboard at right angles to the side for launching.

Question 34

How is attention signaled during the at sea disposition ceremony?

Answer 34

Attention is sounded on the bugle or passed by word of mouth as the body bearers execute the HAND SALUTE while the cortege passes to the committal place.

Question 35

What happens after the remains are placed for committal during the ceremony?

Answer 35

The HAND SALUTE is terminated by those in view, and a sentry is posted unless the burial service is to follow immediately.

Question 36

Who is responsible for the firing detail during the at sea disposition ceremony?

Answer 36

A chief petty officer is designated to take charge of the firing detail of seven persons.

Question 37

What is the role of the chief master-at-arms during the at sea disposition service?

Answer 37

The chief master-at-arms directs the body bearers during the service until the flag is encased and delivered to the commanding officer.

Question 38

How should the urn containing cremains be handled during the at sea disposition?

Answer 38

If the urn is to be opened and the cremains scattered, a small table or stand should be securely rigged beforehand at the selected place for the committal, where the urn will be placed during the service.

Question 39

What should be placed beside the cremains during the at sea disposition service?

Answer 39

The folded flag should be placed on the stand beside the cremains.

Question 40

What is the purpose of floral tributes during the committal ceremony?

Answer 40

Floral tributes may surround the receptacle and cover the platform or table during the service, and they can be tossed into the sea after the cremains have been scattered.

Question 41

How many enlisted members are designated as flag bearers and what additional role do they serve?

Answer 41

Four enlisted members are designated as flag bearers and also serve as urn bearers during the ceremony.

Question 42

What is the procedure for the flag during the committal ceremony?

Answer 42

The leading flag bearer carries the folded flag on the right, places it beside the cremains, and holds it until the completion of TAPS, after which it is presented to the commanding officer.

Question 43

Describe the initial steps of the burial service for casketed remains.

Answer 43

The honor platoon assembles in massed formation, is brought to parade rest, and the burial service is read through to the end of the prayers, with the assemblage remaining covered with bowed heads.

Question 44

What command is given to signal the start of the committal reading?

Answer 44

The command ‘Firing Detail, PRESENT ARMS’ is given, followed by the honor platoon performing a hand salute.

Question 45

What happens when the indicated word of the committal is read?

Answer 45

The body bearers tilt the casket as part of the committal process.

Question 46

Describe the commands given during the firing detail ceremony.

Answer 46

The commands include ‘Firing Detail, ORDER ARMS, PARADE REST,’ followed by ‘Firing Detail, ATTENTION. Fire three volleys.’ After the volleys, the honor platoon salutes until the last note of TAPS.

Question 47

How is the national ensign folded after the ceremony?

Answer 47

The national ensign is folded twice along the long axis, keeping the blue field to the outside, starting at the fly end with only the blue field showing.

Question 48

Define the role of the chief master-at-arms in the ceremony.

Answer 48

The chief master-at-arms presents the folded flag to the commanding officer after the flag has been encased by the body bearers.

Question 49

What happens after the commanding officer receives the flag?

Answer 49

After receiving the flag, the command PARADE REST is given, and once all have assumed it, the details are brought to ATTENTION and marched away.

Question 50

How long does it typically take to accomplish disposition at sea after a request is made?

Answer 50

Disposition at sea is normally accomplished within 8 to 10 weeks from the time the responsible Fleet Commander-in-Chief is notified.

Question 51

What information is provided to the next of kin after committal services?

Answer 51

The next of kin receives a personal letter from the commanding officer detailing the date and time of committal, along with photographs or video tape of the ceremony, the commemorative flag, and a chart showing the burial location.

Question 52

What should be done prior to forwarding a request for cremains dispersion from an aircraft?

Answer 52

Private memorial services and/or honors should be accomplished prior to forwarding the request for cremains dispersion.

Question 53

How is the next of kin informed about the cremains dispersion?

Answer 53

The next of kin is informed by a letter from the commanding officer or chaplain, advising when and where the dispersion was accomplished, including grid coordinates.