Mortuary Service death benefits are defined as follows:
Primary Care
Removal from place of death, preparation (dressing and cosmetics), selection of casket (metal or wood), uniform preparation, cremation and urn (metal or wood), shipment of remains to place of services, and shipment of remains to place of burial under military escort.
Secondary Care
Funeral home charges, grave space and opening, vault, memorial items, obituaries, flowers, etc., arranged via the PADD (Person Authorized to Direct Disposition) and/or Next of Kin (NOK). The VA provides cemetery markers (VA form 40-1330). Families requesting VA markers and headstones must ensure before ordering if the cemetery accept VA headstones and markers. Any questions regarding monetary reimbursements for funeral and cemetery expenses should be referred to Navy Mortuary at 1-866-787-0081.
Transportation of remains
Removal from place of death and delivery to final resting place. All costs are paid for remains of active duty, activated reservist, dependents, and civilian employees on official orders away from their normal duty station. Expenses included are commercial air transportation, shipping container, and embassy fees if shipping to or from another country. For retirees and their dependents, the service member’s death must have occurred as an inpatient in a Military Treatment Facility (MTF’s), specifically, Navy, Army, or Air Force hospitals. Payment is limited to removal from hospital and transportation to final place of burial. Airfare charges, shipping container, and hearse fees for transportation, are examples of such reimbursements.
Cemetery Expenses
All cemeteries operate under separate state regulations. Almost all cemeteries expect payment upfront. This applies to all active duty Navy and Marine Corps deceased personnel, who are entitled to cemetery reimbursements under US Code title 10. If secondary funeral expenses do not exceed designated allowances, the remaining balance can be applied towards applicable cemetery charges. Please consult the Navy Mortuary Office (toll-free 1-866-787-0081) for assistance in determining authorized cemetery expenses.
Funeral and Cemetery Claims Processing
In order to process funeral related claims, the following items are required:
- Itemized bills, and/or receipts relating to funeral expenses, such as SIGNED funeral contracts by the PADD or family representative. (Expenses for food and drink will not be reimbursed).
- DD-1375 (Request for Payment of Funeral and/or Interment Expenses), requires sponsors SSN, and/or claimants SSN, signature of PADD, or next of kin.
- Copy of death certificate, or command generated Personnel Casualty Report (PCR).
- Civilian employee claims must also contain a copy of the official TAD orders.
DD 1375 (Request for Payment of Funeral and/or Interment Expenses)
Claims can be submitted via mail or fax. Please forward claims to:
Navy Casualty
Attn: Navy Mortuary
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38054
FAX: 901-874-2003 or 901-874-6654
Note: All claims are based on reimbursement of expenses, therefore, funeral claim benefits cannot be accessed as cash advances.
For any additional questions concerning benefits and claims,
please contact Navy Mortuary Affairs
Monday thru Friday 0730 - 1600 Central Time
Toll free - 1-866-787-0081