Navy Members
& Dependents - Burial at Sea Entitlement
UNITED
STATES NAVY MORTUARY AFFAIRS BURIAL AT SEA PROGRAM
ELIGIBILITY:
Individuals eligible for this program are: (1) active duty members
of the uniformed services; (2) retirees and veterans who were
honorably discharged. (3) U.S. civilian marine personnel of the
Military Sealift Command; and (4) dependent family members of
active duty personnel, retirees, and veterans of the uniformed
services.
HOW
TO GET STARTED: After the death of the individual, for whom the
request for Burial-at-Sea is being made, the Person Authorized to
Direct Disposition (PADD) may complete a Burial-at-Sea Request
Form. Supporting documents which must accompany this request are:
(1) a photocopy of the death certificate; (2) the burial transit
permit or the cremation certificate; and (3) a copy of the DD Form
214, discharge certificate, or retirement order.
BURIAL
FLAG: Those for whom a burial flag is authorized: The PADD may
send a flag with the remains/cremains. At the time of the burial
at sea ceremony the flag will be flown on the assigned ship.
Following the burial at sea the flag will be returned to the
sender.
CREMATED
REMAINS (Cremains): Cremains must be in an urn, or plastic/metal
container to prevent spillage in shipping. The cremains, along
with the completed Burial-at-Sea Request package, and the burial
flag will be forwarded to the Burial-at-Sea Coordinator at the
desired port of embarkation. Prior to shipment, it is recommended
that a phone call be made informing the coordinator of the pending
request. It is also recommended that the cremains package be sent
via Certified Mail, ‘Return Receipt Requested.’
INTACT
REMAINS (Casketed): Specific guidelines are required for the
preparation of casketed remains. All expenses incurred in this
process are the responsibility of the PADD, who will select a
funeral home in the area of the port of embarkation. After this
selection has been made and notification has been provided to the
coordinator, the casketed remains, the request form, supporting
documents, and the burial flag are to be forwarded to the
receiving funeral home. The coordinator will make the inspection
and complete the checklist for the preparation of casketed
remains. It is recommended that funeral homes responsible for
preparing and shipping intact remains, contact Navy Mortuary
Affairs at the Military Medical Support Office in Great Lakes,
Illinois to receive the preparation requirements.
FOR
MORE ASSISTANCE
If
you have any questions about the Navy's Burial-At-Sea program,
please contact Navy Mortuary Affairs at the Military Medical
Support Office in Great Lakes, Illinois at 1-888-647-6676, and
select option 4.
This
information was provided by Navy Mortuary Affairs.
Sea
Services can assist in any sea burial. You may contact us with
your questions.
