DAFPAM34-163 governs mortuary services entitlements for members who die while on active duty, including remains disposition and funeral support.
View DAFPAM34-163 on armypubs.army.mil
It covers caskets, cremation, escorts, military honors, veterans benefits, family travel, personal property, death certificates, and future planning. It requires arrangements for remains, eligible travel, property disposition, death documentation, and planning information.
Applies to: This publication applies to uniformed members of the Regular Air Force, United States Space Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve.
When remains are recovered and individually identified, the person authorized to direct disposition may direct DAF to accomplish the following through its contract funeral home or where applicable, a DoD mortuary. (paragraph 3)
The person authorized to direct disposition may select one of three Armed Forces specification caskets. (paragraph 3)
DAF provides all items of service or merchandise listed above at no cost to the person authorized to direct disposition when they request use of the government mortuary or contract funeral home. (paragraph 3)
The person authorized to direct disposition must personally arrange for and sign all documents related to the cremation in all cases and in some locations, the primary next of kin may also be required to sign documents authorizing the cremation. (paragraph 4)
The person authorized to direct disposition may request, by name, a current serving member of the military from any branch of Service to be the “Special Escort”. (paragraph 6)