6-4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF MORTUARY OFFICER
A mortuary officer is designated by the commander to supervise the operation of
mortuary services and to 3nsure that services are properly performed. The mortuary
officer must ensure that eligible deceased persons are provided only services and items
authorized in AR 638-40.
a. Eligibility. Mortuary services are authorized at government expense for the
following:
(1) Active duty military.
(2) Army civilian employees in travel status or away from home.
(3) Enemy prisoners.
(4) Some indigent persons.
b. Reimbursable. Services are authorized on a reimbursable basis for:
(1) Family members who die overseas.
(2) Department of the Army civilian family members who die overseas.
c. Operations. The mortuary officer is responsible for the operation of activities
related to the care and disposition of remains of eligible personnel as directed by the
installation commander. When the mortuary operations are contracted out, the
mortuary officer is responsible for inspecting the services and materials provided by the
contractor.
Section II. MORTUARY BENEFITS
6-5. MORTUARY BENEFITS FOR ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY MEMBERS
a. The Army Mortuary Affairs Program. When death occurs to an active duty
(AD) member, mortuary services and related benefits are furnished by the Army at
government expense. These services are provided under the Army Mortuary Affairs
Program. This program is defined in AR 638-40 as the recovery, identification, care,
and disposition of deceased persons, for whom the Army is responsible. The Army
Mortuary Affairs Program is divided into four distinct programs identified as (1) Current
Death Program; (2) Concurrent Return Program; (3) Graves Registration Program; (4)
Return of Remains Program. This subcourse primarily examines the Current Death
Program. The Current Death Program provides for:
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