Military programs are governed by federal law, Department of Defense policy and additional policies specific to the branches of service. The below are service-specific policies that govern casualty assistance programs in the military.
Army
Army Regulation (AR) 290-5, "Army National Cemeteries," September 1, 1980 This Regulation states the authority and assigns responsibilities for the development, operation, maintenance, and administration of the Arlington and Soldiers' Home National Cemeteries.
AR 638-2, "Care and Disposition of Remains and Disposition of Personal Effects," December 22, 2000 This Regulation prescribes policies for the care and disposition of remains of deceased personnel for whom the Army is responsible.
Department of the Army Pamphlet (DAPAM) 290-5, "Administration, Operation, and Maintenance of Army Cemeteries," May 1, 1991 This Pamphlet describes the procedures and policies for the administration, operation, and maintenance of Arlington National Cemetery, Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, and Army post cemeteries.
DAPAM 638-2, "Procedures for the Care and Disposition of Remains and Disposition of Personal Effects," December 22, 2000 This Pamphlet provides general guidance and procedures applicable to disposition of remains and disposition of personal effects.
Marine Corps
Marine Corps Order (MCO) 1741.11D, "Survivor Annuity Program - Survivor Benefit Plans (SBP)," October 2, 2012 This Order publishes the policies and procedures for the administration of the Survivor Annuity Program, which is comprised of the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) and the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Plan (RC-SBP).
MCO P3040.4E, "Marine Corps Casualty Procedures Manual," February 27, 2003 This Order provides policy and guidance for commanders, administrative personnel, and the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) to assist in the efficient performance of duties relating to the Casualty Assistance Calls Program including casualty reporting, notification, assistance, all administrative requirements, and military funeral honors support.
MCO 6320.2E, "Administration and Processing of Injured/Ill/Hospitalized Marines," November 1, 2007 This Order publishes instructions for the provision of prompt and complete administrative assistance to injured, ill, and hospitalized Marines.
Navy
Bureau of Naval Personnel Instruction (BUPERSINST) 1770.3, "The Navy Casualty Assistance Calls Program (CACP) Manual," July 10, 1995 This Manual provides guidelines for assisting relatives of Sailors who are deceased, temporarily unaccounted for, or injured.
Chief of Naval Operations Instruction (OPNAVINST) 1770.1A, "Casualty Assistance Calls and Funeral Honors Support (CAC/FHS) Program Coordination," May 7, 2007 This Instruction promulgates the command's coordination responsibilities for the CAC/FHS Program.
Secretary of the Navy Instruction (SECNAVINST) 1770.3D, "Management and Disposition of Incapacitation and Incapacitation Benefits for Members of Navy and Marine Corps Reserve Components," March 17, 2006 This Instruction revises benefit policies and procedures for implementation in the Navy and Marine Corps Reserve.
SECNAVINST 1770.4, "Secretary of the Navy Traumatic Injury Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) Implementation Guidance and Appeals Process," March 21, 2006 This Instruction establishes procedures, responsibilities, and appeals process for the implementation of the TSGLI Program within the Department of the Navy.
SECNAVINST 1850.4E, "Department of the Navy (DON) Disability Evaluation Manual," April 30, 2002 This Instruction revises and simplifies the policies and procedures for the evaluation of physical fitness for duty and disposition of physical disability in the Department of the Navy.
Air Force
Air Force Policy Directive (AFPD) 34-5, "Mortuary Affairs," September 13, 2013 This Directive provides policies for the identification, care, disposition, and military honors for the deceased, and the retrieval, protection, and disposition of the deceased's personal property during the sensitive time following a death.
AFPD 34-11, "Warrior and Survivor Care Services," May 18, 2012 This Directive provides guidance to commanders on rendering of assistance to the families of persons who are lost in conjunction with Air Force operations.
Air Force Pamphlet (AFPAM) 34-504, "Escorting Deceased Air Force Military Personnel," April 11, 2011 This Pamphlet provides essential information and basic instruction and guidelines to assist military personnel and other Air Force representatives who perform required escort duties.
AFPAM 34-505, "Mortuary Services Benefits for Retired Air Force Members," April 15, 2011 This Pamphlet is designed to assist retired Air Force personnel in explaining to their next-of-kin the various mortuary benefits for which they may be eligible.
AFI 36-809, "Civilian Survivor Assistance," July 1, 2003 This Instruction prescribes the procedures to follow when a civilian employee dies.
AFI 34-1101, "Air Force Warrior and Survivor Care," June 21, 2012 This Instruction implements the Air Force Survivor Assistance Program (AFSAP) and formalizes procedures for commanders and functional managers to provide information, referrals, death benefits, and other types of assistance to the next-of-kin and family members of persons who lose their lives due to Air Force aviation mishaps and other incidents.
AFI 36-3002, "Casualty Services," February 22, 2010, Certified Current as of February 8, 2012 This Instruction describes procedures for the Casualty Services Program for all levels of command and all Air Force organizations.
AFPAM 36-3027, "Benefits and Entitlements for Family Members of Air Force Deceased," October 3, 2002 This Pamphlet provides general information about most federal benefits and entitlements available to eligible family members of deceased Air Force personnel and explains the application process.
AFPAM 36-3028, "Benefits and Entitlements for Family Members of Retired Air Force Deceased," October 3, 2002 This Pamphlet provides general information about most federal benefits and entitlements available to eligible family members of deceased retired Air Force personnel and explains the application process.
Coast Guard
Commandant Instruction (COMDTINST) Manual M1000.6A, "Personnel Manual," June 17, 2008 Chapter 11 (Casualty and Decedent Affairs) and Chapter 18 (Dependents Welfare and Special Benefits) of this Manual contain material that will assist the Casualty Assistance Call Officer (CACO) in the performance of his or her duties.
COMDTINST Manual M1850.2D, "Physical Disability Evaluation System," May 19, 2006 This Manual promulgates policies, procedures, and standards for administering the Coast Guard Physical Disability Evaluation System for military personnel throughout the Coast Guard.