Decedent Affairs

Base Seattle

The Decedent Affairs Officer (DAO) is responsible for active duty, dependent and retiree deaths in the Thirteenth District.  We assist the family in making funeral arrangements and help the next of kin obtain any compensation or entitlements they may be due.

Decedent affairs are coordinated for District 13 through the Personnel Services Division at Base Seattle.  Many units within the AOR have DAOs and have at least one Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO).  This page seeks to provide all of the required material for DAOs and CACOs so that they have a resource to turn to at times when quick action is required.

For new DAOs and CACOs, the documents on this page can give you a great overview of your duties and are a great start to learn about your new collateral.

Please contact the District DAO, YNCS Lori Fields with any questions, feedback, or to request assistance upon the death of a member or dependent.

Active Duty death:

    Any Coast Guard unit, specifically a unit in the First Coast Guard District, that receives a notification of a casualty is required to prepare a personnel casualty report in accordance with Section 5.A, Personnel and Pay Procedures Manual, PPCINST M1000.2A.

    Upon receipt of information that member on active duty has died, the district DAO in whose jurisdiction the next of kin (NOK) resides shall appoint a CACO.  If the death is not in the First District, contact the local DAO where the NOK is located.

    The CACO will normally be an officer or senior petty officer attached to a unit near the locale of the NOK's home.

    As the representative of the Coast Guard, the CACO shall contact the NOK by a personal visit as soon as possible and render such assistance as necessary until interment.  The Coast Guard has developed the CACO Handbook to assist with these duties. 

    The CACO will also need to take a copy of the Casualty Assistance Guide to the second visit with the family explaining what the Coast Guard will do and what pay and benefits will be forthcoming.

    Although the duties of a CACO are outlined in the Coast Guard Decedent Affairs Guide, COMDTINST M1717.1C, it is also imperative that the CACO thoroughly review Chapter 11 and 18 of the Personnel Manual and Section 5.A of the Personnel and Pay Procedures Manual, PPCINST M1000.2A.

Dependent death:

In cases of the death of a dependent, the CACO will ensure that the required message is released, obtain the death certificate, and collect the SGLI form, SCLV-8283A, for processing.  If needed, the CACO will also arrange for transportation of the remains.  However, the Coast Guard does not pay funeral expenses for dependents.  FSGLI will normally issue the insurance check within 48 to 72 hours.  Please see the checklist for dependent death for additional information.