ALCOAST 287/20 - JUL 2020 COVID-19: MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS POLICY

R 281500 JUL 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//CG-1//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01770//
ALCOAST 287/20
COMDTNOTE 1770
SUBJECT:  COVID-19: MILITARY FUNERAL HONORS POLICY
A. Secretary of the Navy Memorandum, July 02, 2020
B. Secretary of the Navy Memorandum, May 22, 2020
C. U.S. Code, Title 10, Section 1491
D. U.S. Code, Title 38, Section 101
E. Military Funeral Support, DODI 1300.15
F. Military Personnel Casualties and Decedent Affairs, COMDTINST M1770.9 (series)
1. Rendering Military Funeral Honors (MFH) reflects the high regard and respect afforded
to military service, pays a final tribute to comrades in arms on behalf of a grateful
nation, and demonstrates military professionalism to the United States and the world.
Coast Guard commanders at all levels must expeditiously and sensitively support requests
for military funeral support for Coast Guard veterans; no unit is exempt from carrying
out this important operational function performed in the public’s eye.
2. In REF (A), SECNAV rescinded the previous waiver of certain MFH
requirements in REF (B). Effective 02 July 2020, all requested military funeral honors
must be rendered by the Coast Guard as required by REFs (C) through (F).
3. When the local commander determines that rendering MFH consistent with this guidance
presents an unacceptable risk to a service member or the public, commands should first
discuss the circumstances with the family member(s) requesting MFH and encourage them
to consider delaying funeral honors until the current conditions created by the COVID-19
outbreak have subsided. If the family does not wish to delay, the commander may request
a one-time waiver of the requirement to render MFH with the specific rationale in writing,
through the Commandant and the Under Secretary of the Navy to the Secretary of the Navy.
The one-time waiver process should only be utilized after exhausting all reasonable scenarios
to comply with this policy. In the rare circumstance where a waiver request is sought,
specific procedures, a waiver request template and a sample waiver request may be found
at the Casualty Matters portal page at:
https://cg.portal.uscg.mil/units/psc/FS/Casualty%20Matters/Forms/AllItems.aspx.
4. Detailed guidance on MFH may be found in REF (F). REF (E) and
https://www.militaryonesource.mil/military-life-cycle/veterans-military-funeral-honors/
what-to-expect-during-military-funeral-honors provide additional MFH guidance from the
Department of Defense. For the latest information on Military Funeral Honors please visit:
http://www.dcms.uscg.mil/PSD/fs/Casualty-Matters/. Units should refer additional questions
and inquiries for MFH to their regional MFH coordinators.
5. The PSC POC for Military Funeral Support is the Chief of Casualty, Mr. Brian Behlke
at 571-266-2375 or Brian.R.Behlke@uscg.mil.
6. RADM J. M. NUNAN, Assistant Commandant for Human Resources, sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.