14-30. Funeral details will have many other considerations which will have to be addressed by the NCOIC or OIC. Although each funeral is similar in nature, there are many different events and considerations to be aware of. Cremated remains, cannon salutes, and participation of aviation are a few of the funeral considerations addressed during the planning and execution of a funeral.
Cremated Remains
14-31. When the remains are cremated and the ashes interred with military honors, the previously stated provisions, with necessary modifications, will govern:
- For all phases of the funeral, where the cremated remains are carried by hand, one pallbearer is detailed to carry the receptacle (casket) containing the ashes and another is detailed to carry the flag, folded into the shape of a cocked hat. The pallbearer carrying the flag is always positioned to the right of the remains (see figure 14-9). When the receptacle is carried from the hearse into the chapel and from the chapel to the hearse, these two pallbearers are the only participants in the ceremony. During the procession to the gravesite, the receptacle and flag are carried by the two pallbearers followed by four additional pallbearers. When the receptacle has been placed on the gravesite, all six pallbearers unfold the flag and hold it over the grave. (Honors are the same as a flag-draped casket.)
- When the receptacle and flag are placed before the chancel of the chapel or transported to gravesite by vehicle, the receptacle and folded flag are placed side by side. If the pallbearers walk to the gravesite, the two bearers who carried the receptacle and the flag join the other four pallbearers already pre-positioned on either side of the hearse.
- When no hearse is used, suitable transportation is provided for the receptacle, flag bearers, and the other pallbearers.
- When the remains are moved to a crematory and the ashes are to be interred with military honors at a later time, the ceremony consists only of the escort to the crematory. All personnel salute as the remains are carried into the crematory. The firing of volleys and the sounding of “Taps” are omitted. When the funeral ceremony is held at the crematory, and when no further honors are anticipated, the volleys are fired and “Taps” is sounded at the discretion of the commanding officer.
Note. In this situation, the flag is carried left hand over right hand with the point forward.
Ceremony Before Shipment of Remains
14-32. When the remains of a deceased Soldier are moved to a railway station or other point for shipment to another place for interment or final disposition, funeral services are modified as necessary. When no further military honors are anticipated at the place of interment or final disposition, the volleys are fired and “Taps” sounded at the discretion of the commanding officer. When military honors are anticipated at the place of final disposition, the volleys and “Taps” are omitted.
Cannon Salute
14-33. When the funeral of a general officer on the active or retired list, who was entitled to a cannon salute, takes place at or near a military installation, guns equal to the number to which the officer was entitled (see AR 600-25) may be fired at noon on the day of the funeral. The military installation mentioned in general orders will fire the prescribed salutes. Immediately preceding the benediction, a cannon salute corresponding to the grade of the deceased (see AR 600-25) is fired at 5-second intervals. Following the benediction, three volleys of musketry are fired.
Participation of Aviation
14-34. When aviation participates in a military funeral, it is timed so that the aircraft appear over the procession. Requirements for aviation participation can be found in AR 600-25.
Participation of Reserve Components
14-35. The RC, along with the active Army, are required to participate in funeral details. The Army National Guard (ARNG) and U.S. Army Reserve (USAR) have a single point of contact (POC) in each ARNG state area command (known as STARC) or USAR regional support command (known as RSC) to which a request for assistance can be made. When the active Army is unable to support the request, or it is more prudent for the RC unit to provide honors, the CAC contacts the RC POC at either the STARC or RSC for military funeral honors support. If the RC POC does not respond to the request for support within 2 hours, the CAC should again contact the RC POC. When the RC is unable to support the request for assistance, the CAC is responsible for providing the honors. The casualty and memorial affairs operations center, personnel command will provide a list of RC POCs to the CACs. CACs should establish memorandums of agreement with RC POCs and other military organizations within their area of responsibility specifying requirements and responsibilities.
Participation of Fraternal or Patriotic Organizations
14-36. The family or representative of the deceased may request fraternal or patriotic organizations, of which the deceased was a member, to take part in the funeral service. With immediate family approval fraternal or patriotic organizations may conduct graveside service at the conclusion of the military portion of the ceremony, signified by the flag presentation to NOK and escort departure from the cemetery.
Duties of the Chaplain
14-37. The chaplain takes their position in front of the chapel before the arrival of the remains. The chaplain precedes the casket when it is carried from the hearse into the chapel and from the chapel to the hearse. While the remains are being placed in the hearse, they stand at the rear and to the side facing the hearse. When the chaplain is wearing vestments, they may, at their discretion, proceed from the chancel to the sacristy (vestry) at the conclusion of the chapel service and divest, joining the procession before it moves from the chapel. The chaplain then precedes the hearse to the graveside and precedes the casket to the grave.
Preliminary Arrangements
14-38. The OIC of a military funeral, the commander of the escort, the funeral director, and the superintendent of the cemetery or their representative visit the places involved and make careful arrangements before the time set for the funeral. They determine the positions at the grave for the various elements of the funeral and arrange for traffic control.
Floral Tributes
14-39. In the absence of the chaplain, the chaplain’s assistant helps the funeral director in arranging all floral tributes in the chapel. The commanding officer or their representative coordinates the necessary transportation with the funeral director for prompt transfer of floral tributes from the chapel to the gravesite. The vehicle bearing the floral tributes is loaded promptly at the conclusion of the chapel service. It precedes the funeral procession, moving as rapidly as practicable to the site of the grave. The funeral procession does not move from the chapel until the vehicle carrying the floral tributes has cleared the escort. The funeral director or the cemetery representative is responsible for removing cards and making a record that gives a brief description of the floral piece pertaining to each card. After completion of the funeral services, the cards and records are turned over to a member of the family of the deceased.
Rules for Ceremonial Firing
14-40. For ceremonial firing, the firing party consists of not more than eight riflemen and not less than five riflemen with one NCOIC (see figure 14-10 on page 14-22). The firing party is normally pre-positioned at the gravesite and facing in the direction that allows it to fire directly over the grave. However, care should be taken to ensure that rifles are fired at a 45-degree angle from the horizontal:
- To load—
- Magazines or clips are loaded with three rounds before forming the firing party.
- At the conclusion of the religious services or on the escort commander’s command, the NCOIC commands With blank ammunition, LOAD. At the command LOAD, each rifle-bearer executes Port Arms, faces to the half right, and moves their right foot 10 inches to the right to a position that gives them a firm, steady stance. The rifle-bearer then chambers a round, places the weapon in the safe position, and resumes Port Arms.
- To fire by volley—
- When the rifle-bearers have completed the movements and the weapons are locked, the commands from the firing detail NCOIC are Ready, Aim, FIRE. At the command Ready, each rifle-bearer moves the safety to the fire position. On the command Aim, the rifle is shouldered with both hands with the muzzle to the front at an angle of 45 degrees from the horizontal. On the command of execution FIRE, the trigger is squeezed quickly, and the weapon is immediately returned to Port Arms.
- To continue the firing with weapons that function automatically (blank adapter), the commands Aim and FIRE are given and executed as previously prescribed. To continue the firing with weapons that must be manually operated to chamber another round (without blank adapters), the commands Ready, Aim, FIRE are again given. On, the command Ready, each rifle-bearer manually chambers the next round. The commands Aim and FIRE are then given and executed as previously prescribed.
- When the third round has been fired and the riflemen have resumed Port Arms, the NCOIC commands CEASE FIRING. Every rifle-bearer immediately place their weapon on safe, assume the Position of Attention (at Port Arms), and face to the half left. From this position, the firing party is commanded to Present Arms before the playing of “Taps.” After “Taps,” they are commanded to Order Arms. The NCOIC executes a Right (Left) Face and remains at Attention until the flag has been folded and saluted by the NCOIC of the funeral detail. At this time, the firing party NCOIC executes a Right (Left) Face and commands Right (Left), FACE; Port, ARMS; and Forward, MARCH. At the first halt, the rifles of the firing party are cleared and inspected.
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