LESSON 6
DISPOSITION OF THE DECEASED
Section I. RESPONSIBILITIES
6-1. RESPONSIBILITIES OF ARMY AUTHORITIES IN CONUS
Commanders are responsible for the operation of activities related to the care
and disposition of remains of eligible personnel in accordance with the policies and
procedures prescribed in AR 638-40. These responsibilities are delegated to various
levels.
6-2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE HOSPITAL COMMANDER
a. The hospital commander is responsible for establishing local operating
procedures for the physical preparation/identifi- cation of remains. This includes the
proper identification of remains by the patient administrator or administrative
officer-of-the-day (AOD); preparation of the body by nursing services; and proper
receipt of the remains by pathology.
b. Certain reports are required for the disposition of the deceased. DA Form
3894 (The Hospital Report of Death) is initiated by the physician and completed by the
Patient Admini-stration Division (PAD), unless an autopsy is performed, in which case
the pathology department enters pertinent information. A state certificate of death is
also required. Each state establishes the requirements for the death certificate and the
MTF prepares the certificate of death for the state in which it is located.
c. The hospital commander is responsible for ensuring that all notifications
required for deceased active duty members are completed in a timely manner. This
responsibility is delegated to the PAD or AOD. Notifications are made to the following:
(1) Next-of-kin (NOK), only if present in the hospital at the time of death.
The physician notifies (informs) the next of kin so that questions regarding the death
can be answered in a professional manner.
(2) The Casualty Area Commander (CAC).
(3) Chaplain.
(4) Red Cross.
(5) Installation commander/staff duty officer.
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