U.S. Navy Burial at sea program

 

 

Burial at Sea on United States Navy vessels

The burial ceremony is performed while the ship is deployed. Therefore, family members are not allowed to be present. The commanding officer of the ship assigned to perform the ceremony will notify the family of the date, time, and, longitude and latitude once the committal service has been completed. The crew will typically photograph or videotape the ceremony, and afterward, the Navy will present the family with the flags used during the ceremony, as well as the shells from the rounds fired during the salute and navigational charts that mark the location of the burial.

 

Eligibility:

Individuals eligible for this program are:

 

  • Active duty members of the uniformed services
  • Retirees and veterans who were honorably discharged
  • U.S. civilian marine personnel of the Military Sealift Command; and
  • Dependent family members of the above

 

Ceremonial Procedure for at Sea Disposition

 

Personnel participating or attending the services must wear the Uniform of the Day. When a chaplain of appropriate faith is not available, the service may be read by the commanding officer or an officer designated by him/her. The committal service is as follows:

 

  • Station firing squad, casket bearers and bugler.
  • Officer’s call. Pass the word “All hands bury the dead” (the ships should be stopped, if practicable, and colors displayed at half-mast.
  • Assembly.
  • Adjutant’s call (Call to Attention).
  • Bring the massed formation to Parade Rest.
  • Burial service.
  • The Scripture (Parade Rest).
  • The prayers (Parade Rest, heads bowed).
  • The Committal (Attention, Hand Salute).
  • The Benediction (Parade Rest, heads bowed).
  • Fire three volleys (Attention, Hand Salute).
  • Taps. Close up colors. Resume course and speed at the last note of Taps (Hand Salute)
  • Encasing of the flag (Attention).
  • Retreat (Resume normal duties).
  • Officers in the funeral procession and casket bearers may wear the mourning band on the left arm.

 

Disposition at sea is normally accomplished within 8 to 10 weeks from the time the responsible Fleet Commander-in-Chief is notified of a request.

 

The Commanding Officer of a ship directed to conduct an at sea disposition will, within 10 days after the committal, mail to the next of kin a personal letter giving the date and time of committal and include photographs or video tape of the ceremony, the commemorative flag and a chart showing where the burial took place.