Overview

The Department of Defense takes pride in "taking care of its own," especially when service members have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The Department of Defense understands the grief that families are feeling and strives to support affected families with accurate and compassionate services provided through the Casualty Assistance Program.

The Casualty Assistance Program covers a wide spectrum of services ranging from transportation assistance; applying for and receiving benefits and entitlements; obtaining copies of records, reports and investigations; legal assistance; receipt of personal effects; mortuary and funeral honors assistance; relocation assistance, including shipment of household goods; liaison with other Federal agencies; information and referral, including coordinating with outside agencies such as benevolent and philanthropic agencies, emotional and spiritual support, and other assistance as requested.  For each casualty case, a representative from the Casualty Assistance Program is assigned by the Service or DoD Component to provide assistance to the families of ill, injured, Duty Status - Whereabouts-Unknown (DUSTWUN), Excused Absence - Whereabouts Unknown (EAWUN), missing or deceased members. This assistance will be provided for as long as necessary or until the family considers the assistance no longer needed.

Casualty assistance service providers offer critical support as they assist service members and/or their families in accessing their survivor benefits and planning their final arrangements. They understand the environment of the military, the emotional and financial strain facing family members during this stressful time, and the various programs, services, and resources available to service members and their families to help them cope during their time of grief.