Form DD Form 3045 DD Form 3045 Statement of Disposition of Military Remains

OMB No.
OMB approval expires

STATEMENT OF DISPOSITION OF MILITARY REMAINS

(Read Agency Disclosure Notice, Privacy Advisory, and Instructions on Page 2 before completing this form.)
1. NAME OF DECEASED (Last, First, Middle Initial)

2. SERVICE/GRADE OF DECEASED

3. DCIPS CASE NUMBER

4. PERSON AUTHORIZED TO DIRECT DISPOSITION (PADD)
a. NAME (Last, First, Middle Initial)

b. RELATIONSHIP TO DECEASED

c. TELEPHONE NUMBER (Include

N E E D S

d. CURRENT RESIDENCE ADDRESS (Street, Apartment Number, City, State and ZIP Code)

D D

Area Code)

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5. SELECTION OF DISPOSITION OPTIONS
I, the undersigned Person Authorized to Direct Disposition (PADD), have been provided a MORTUARY BRIEFING and I understand each of the options
presented and have selected disposition of remains as indicated below. I understand that the embalming/preparation, restoration, and casketing of remains,
under Options 1 - 4, may be provided by a civilian funeral home, under contract with the DoD, or a Mortuary operated by the Department of the Army, Navy,
or Air Force.
OPTION 1 I authorize the Military to assume custody of remains for embalming/preparation, restoration, dressing or wrapping, with placement in the casket

(Initials)

OPTION 2

(Initials)

OPTION 3

(Initials)

OPTION 4

(Initials)

OPTION 5

(Initials)

OPTION 6

(Initials)

selected in Block 8, and request transportation to be arranged, with escort, at government expense to the FUNERAL HOME listed in Block 6,
with subsequent interment/entombment in the CIVILIAN CEMETERY listed in Block 7.
I understand the reimbursement for expenses incurred at the funeral home, cemetery and other authorized expenses cannot exceed
$_________________. In addition to this maximum reimbursement, the Government will pay all remains transportation expenses.
I authorize the Military to assume custody of remains for embalming/preparation, restoration, dressing or wrapping, with placement in the casket
selected in Block 8, and request transportation to be arranged, with escort, at government expense to the FUNERAL HOME listed in Block 6,
with subsequent interment/entombment in the GOVERNMENT CEMETERY (Federal/State) listed in Block 7.
I understand that the reimbursement for expenses incurred at the funeral home, cemetery and other authorized expenses cannot exceed
$_________________. In addition to this maximum reimbursement, the Military will pay all remains transportation expenses.
I authorize the Military to assume custody of remains for embalming/preparation, restoration, dressing or wrapping, with placement in the casket
selected in Block 8, and request transportation to be arranged, with escort, at government expense with direct consignment for
interment/entombment in the GOVERNMENT CEMETERY (Federal/State) listed in Block 7.
I understand that the reimbursement for expenses incurred at the funeral home, cemetery, for the transportation of remains, and other
authorized expenses cannot exceed $_________________.
I authorize the Military to assume custody of remains for embalming/preparation, restoration, dressing or wrapping, with placement in a WOOD
CREMATION CASKET, with CREMATION to be arranged by the receiving FUNERAL HOME, listed in Block 6, in accordance with all
applicable statutory provisions. The Military will provide the urn selected in Block 9 and arrange transportation of the casket and escort at
Government expense.
I understand that the reimbursement for expenses incurred at the funeral home and cemetery and other authorized expenses cannot exceed
Option 1 or Option 2 (depending on the method of dispositon of the urn) $_________________. In addition to this maximum reimbursement,
the Government will reimburse the cremation expenses.
I desire to MAKE ALL ARRANGEMENTS for the disposition of remains. If the remains are under the control of the DoD, I direct the remains be
released to the funeral home listed in Block 6. Reimbursement for expenses associated with the disposition of the remains may not exceed the
reimbursement entitlements listed in (A) or (B), as applicable. If the remains are cremated and retained, the reimbursement will not exceed that
of (A) below. Additionally, the Government will reimburse all remains transportation expenses. Refer to the instruction page of this form for
support provided by the Military Service when choosing this option.
(A) $_________________ for interment/entombment in a CIVILIAN CEMETERY.
(B) $_________________ for interment in a GOVERNMENT CEMETERY (Federal/State).
I HEREBY RELINQUISH MY RIGHTS to all decisions regarding the disposition of the remains and understand that the right to direct disposition
of the remains will pass to the next person in hierarchy by marriage, blood relation, or adoption and whose name is listed below. I also certify
that I have the legal right to make this authorization and release the DoD, its officers, agents, and employees from any and all liability that may
arise from this action. I further authorize the named individual to apply for reimbursement of the authorized reimbursable funeral expenses, up
to the allowable limit, incurred in the disposition of these remains. By law, the new PADD to whom the authority to direct disposition passes is
(Name/relationship):

6. RECEIVING FUNERAL HOME (Name, Address (include ZIP Code)
and Telephone Number (Include Area Code)

7. CEMETERY (or where final disposition of remains is to be effected)

(Name, Address (include ZIP Code) and Telephone Number (Include Area Code)

8. CASKET SELECTION (Not applicable to Options 4 or 5)
18-GA Steel with Silver Tone Finish

9. URN SELECTION (Applicable to Option 4)
Solid Bronze

Solid Hardwood with Walnut Finish
11.a. TYPED OR PRINTED NAME OF PADD

Solid Walnut
b. SIGNATURE OF PADD

12.a. TYPED OR PRINTED NAME OF WITNESS

b. SIGNATURE OF WITNESS

DD FORM 3045, 20180918 DRAFT

10. I DESIRE MILITARY FUNERAL
HONORS:
YES

NO
c. DATE
c. DATE

Adobe Professional X

STATEMENT OF DISPOSITION OF MILITARY REMAINS
AGENCY DISCLOSURE NOTICE
The public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this collection of information, including suggestions for reducing the burden, to
the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, at [email protected]. Respondents
should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of
information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.
PLEASE RETURN THIS FORM TO ODASD MC&FP; ATTN: CASUALTY; 4000 DEFENSE PENTAGON; WASHINGTON DC 20301-4000.

PRIVACY ADVISORY
With this form the Department of Defense asks you to document your decisions about the remains of your Service Member. This process includes
providing your name and contact information as well as your relationship to the service member. This collection is authorized by 10 U.S.C. 1481
through 1488, and this form will be filed in the Defense Casualty Information Processing System (DCIPS) as part of the service members Individual
Deceased Personnel File (IDPF), covered by following Department of the Army System of Record Notice:
(https://dpcld.defense.gov/Privacy/SORNsIndex/DOD-wide-SORN-Article-View/Article/570058/a0600-8-1c-ahrc-dod/).
Completing this form is voluntary. However, without completing the form, your choices regarding your service member may not be documented or
complied with.

INSTRUCTIONS
The Statement of Disposition of Remains form is a written
declaration from the Person Authorized to Direct Disposition
(PADD) as to their intent, wishes, and directions for the
Service to ensure the expeditious embalming/preparation,
restoration and return of the remains of an active duty
member.

N E E D S

This form is to be presented to the PADD when discussing
Mortuary Entitlements by the Casualty Assistance Officer,
Casualty Assistance Calls Officer or Mortuary Officer during
the Mortuary Briefing.

The PADD designated on the DD Form 93, Record of
Emergency Data, must elect an option from Options 1 - 6 by
initialing the space under the option number and provide
information required in Blocks 6 - 10.
There are three purposes of embalming; an explanation of
each is listed below. Combined, the intent is to facilitate a
family's ability to view their loved one, should the
circumstances of death allow.
(1) Disinfection - destruction or inhibition of pathogenic
organisms and their products in or on the body.
(2) Preservation - the science or treatment of the body
chemically to temporarily inhibit decomposition during the
interval between death and final disposition by burial,
cremation, entombment or other means.
(3) Restoration - the care given the deceased to recreate
natural form and color.

DD FORM 3045 INSTRUCTIONS, 20180918 DRAFT

During the embalming/preparation process, the embalmer
may utilize some or all of the following techniques: physical
disinfection of the remains; arterial and surface embalming;
treatment and closure of wounds/incisions; dressing and
wrapping of wounds; dermasurgery or physical restorative
measures such as artificial reproduction of facial features in
an attempt to recreate natural form and color, and applying
cosmetics.

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Depending on circumstances, restoring the remains to an
acceptable physical appearance may not be possible. The
PADD will be advised when the deceased cannot be
restored to a viewable condition. There are two
classifications of restorative art: minor and major.
Minor restorations include, but are not limited to, correction
a misaligned fracture, hypodermic tissue building, reduction
of swelling, sub-tissue surgery (mouth or eye), waxing (lips,
abrasions, sutures or razor burns), suturing clean cuts,
small hair replacements (eyebrow, eyelash, or temporal
hair), bleaching and concealing minor discolorations or
removal and restoration of fever sores (scabs). Consent
from the PADD is granted by signing Block 11.b of this
form.

STATEMENT OF DISPOSITION OF MILITARY REMAINS
INSTRUCTIONS (Continued)
Major restorations include, but are not limited to, the
restoration of a full head of hair, sub-tissue surgery of a
swollen neck, problems with buck-teeth, deep wound
preparation (after excision of necrotic, mutilated or diseased
tissue), care of deep lacerations, repair (or reconstruction) of
multiple fractures, third-degree burns, skin slip,
dismemberment of a limb (or head), and complete loss of a
part. Technical skill is required to artificially construct a
distorted portion of the face or cranium, wax surfacing over a
large wound (cheek, forehead, or neck), modeling a facial
feature, achieving a natural appearance when masking a
completely discolored face (or large post-mortem stain) with
opaque cosmetics or matching wax with the complexion.
Consent from the PADD is granted by signing Block 11.b of
this form.

When the PADD requests to make all the arrangements for
disposition, outside the Military , or when he/she requests
services or merchandise beyond that which the Military can
provide within DoD standards, Option 5 must be selected.
Option 5 must also be selected if the deceased has already
been moved to the PADD's selected funeral home and
embalmed/prepared, and the PADD does not wish the
Military to engage on his/her behalf, for re-processing of the
remains through the installation contract mortuary. The
Mortuary Officer should explain the support in providing a
uniform, coordinating interment in a governmental
cemetery, and military funeral honors, as requested by the
PADD. The Mortuary Officer should never require and
express there is a requirement for remains inspection under
Option 5.

By selecting Options 1 - 4 and signing Block 11.b, the
PADD hereby authorizes the Department of Defense, and its
personnel to undertake, or direct a funeral home under
contract with the Military to undertake the remains
preparation process and restorative procedures, deemed
necessary in the embalmers professional practice, to provide
the greatest opportunity for a viewing, should the family elect
to view the deceased.

When the PADD, designated on the deceased member's
DD Form 93, "Record of Emergency Data", does not wish to
fulfill the designated responsibilities of a PADD and
therefore requests to relinquish the right to make any
decisions regarding the disposition of the remains of the
deceased whose information is listed in Blocks 1 - 3, the
PADD must select Option 6. The PADD will pass to the
next person in hierarchy by marriage, blood relation or
adoption (i.e., spouse, child, parent, brother or sister, etc.)
according to Law. The person recognized to fulfill the
PADD responsibilities will complete a new Statement of
Disposition of Remains. Both forms must be included in
the deceased Mortuary Case File.

N E E D S

In all cases where the PADD elects Option 1 - 4, the Military
will utilize the standards of the DoD Mortuary Performance
Work Statement as the minimum standards in the
embalming/preparation/restoration of the deceased remains.
If the PADD expresses a desire to not have the deceased
embalmed/prepared, the Military will honor this request and
advise the PADD of the support available for funeral services
held under Option 5.
When the PADD selects Option 4 (Cremation): The
Department of Defense will honor a PADD's request for
cremation by preparing or directing the contract funeral home
to prepare the remains in accordance with the statutory
provisions of that destination. Additionally, the Department of
Defense will provide a Military Specification Urn as selected
in Block 9. The Department of Defense will reimburse the
cost of the cremation above and beyond the maximum
reimbursement entitlement.

DD FORM 3045 INSTRUCTIONS, (BACK) 20180918 DRAFT

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Questions regarding this form may be directed to
Service Casualty or Mortuary Affairs Office.