• Frequently Asked Questions

  FAQs for Commissioned Corps Instruction (CCI) 383.01, “Death of an Active Duty Officer”

  Old CCPM CC29.5.1	New CCI 383.01
  In the event of a death of an active duty PHS officer: notify the Survivor Assistance Officer (SAO)	Adds notification of the SAO, Veterans Administration, Social Security Administration (SSA), Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting Systems (DEERS), and TRICARE
  Chart of forms and their use	Updates policy with hyperlinks and information on when form is applicable and where/how to submit the form.
  Private burial allowance=$1,750.00 National cemetery burial allowance =$1,180	Increases private burial allowance to current rate. Increases National cemetery burial allowance to current rate.
  Death gratuity of $3,000	Increases death gratuity to $100,000 tax free
  Nothing on DMDC/DEERS	Adds ways to contact DMDC/DEERS
  Nothing on Line of Duty	Calls on the Director, CCHQ to make a “Line of Duty” (LOD) determination accordance with guidance established by the Surgeon General (SG)
  No designation of beneficiaries.	Provides designation of beneficiaries.
  Nothing on roles of SSA and DEERS	Adds responsibilities of SSA and DEERS

  Who must be contacted when an active duty Public Health Service (PHS) officer dies?

  In the event of the death of an officer, please notify the following personal and organizations (see policy for contact information):

  • Survivor Assistance Officer at Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ)
  • United States Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Social Security Administration
  • Defense Manpower Data Center / Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting Systems
  • TRICARE pharmacy contractor (Express Scripts)

  Who are the eligible beneficiaries of survivor entitlements?

  Survivors of a deceased officer are eligible for its entitlements in order of the following precedence:

  • Surviving spouse
  • If no spouse, children in equal shares (legitimate children, adopted children, stepchildren in household at time of officer’s death, and Illegitimate children in accordance with criteria outlined in CCI 383.01)
  • The deceased’s parents in loco parentis in equal shares, if no spouse or children, and if designated by the officer
  • The deceased’s brothers and sisters (including brothers and sisters of half-blood and those through adoption) in equal shares

  Do survivors receive entitlements if a PHS officer’s death is not determined to be in the line of duty (LOD)?

  Certain survivor entitlements require a determination that the officer’s death falls within the LOD. Other entitlements, such as the deceased officer’s unpaid pay and annual leave, will be paid to the survivors regardless of the LOD determination.

  What entitlements do survivors receive in the event of the death of an active duty PHS officer?

  Survivor entitlements include the following:

  • Death gratuity
  • Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)
  • Unpaid pay and annual leave
  • Spouse and dependent travel and transportation to place of burial
  • Spouse and dependent travel to Home of Selection (HOS)
  • Shipment of household goods (HHG) and privately-owned vehicle (POV)
  • Non-temporary storage of HHG
  • New uniformed services identification/privilege cards (ID card)

  As a survivor entitled to the death gratuity payment, how much is the payment and what is the procedure to receive this payment?

  The death gratuity payment is $100,000 (tax free) and is issued upon completion and submission of DD-397, “Claim Certification and Voucher for Death Gratuity Payment” to FSB, CCHQ; payment is issued by FSB within 72 hours of receipt of DD-397.

  For spouse and dependents of a deceased officer, are travel and transportation expenses paid to the place of burial?

  Yes, the Government will pay the spouse and dependent children of a deceased active duty officer an allowance for their travel and transportation expenses to attend the burial of the deceased. The deceased officer’s agency or Financial Services Branch (FSB), Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ) will pay this allowance.

  Are there limits to the travel and transportation allowance for the spouse and dependents to the place of burial of a deceased active duty PHS officer?

  Yes, the allowance is only payable for travel to places within the U.S., Puerto Rico, or U.S. possessions, unless the deceased officer had been ordered to or was called to active duty from a place outside the U.S., Puerto Rico, or the U.S. possessions. Additionally, the allowance may not exceed the rate payable for two days of travel, unless the officer had been ordered to or was called to active duty from a place outside the U.S. in which case the allowance can be increased to accommodate the time necessary for such travel.

  As a dependent of a deceased active duty officer, how much time do I have to choose a Home of Selection (HOS)?

  A dependent has three years, beginning on the date of the officer’s death, to choose a HOS for travel and transportation allowances; the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) can extend this time period up to a total of six years.

  How much BAH and unpaid pay/annual leave am I entitled to as a survivor and dependent of a deceased active duty officer?

  The Financial Services Branch (FSB), CCHQ will process 365 days’ worth of BAH to a survivor and dependent of a deceased active duty officer. Additionally, survivors are entitled to all the officer’s unpaid pay through the date of death, as well as a lump-sum payment for any unused annual leave.

  What costs are covered in the transportation of the remains of an active duty officer?

  The FSB, CCHQ pays the transportation costs for the remains of an active duty officer, accompanied by an escort, from the place of death to the town or city of burial designated by the survivors. These transportation costs include:

  • Removal of remains from place of death to a mortuary;
  • Procurement of burial and shipping permits;
  • Removal from the mortuary to a common carrier;
  • Shipment by common carrier (any firm furnishing commercial transportation as a public service under rates prescribed by lawful authority including railroads, airplanes, or ships; and
  • One removal at destination from the common carrier to a mortuary or other place of delivery.

  Who may escort the remains of an active duty PHS officer?

  An escort may be either a PHS officer or a member of the family. When neither can act as an escort, the Director, CCHQ may authorize another individual to act as an escort.

  What are the entitlements for the funeral arrangements of the remains of an active duty officer?

  The Survivor Assistance Officer (SAO) at CCHQ should assist the family and funeral home by advising them of the following allowable services and funding for:

  • Preparation of remains, including cremation;
  • Casket (or urn) and outer case;
  • Services of the funeral director, including the use of his/her facilities and equipment;
  • Limousine for the immediate family;
  • Hearse;
  • Use of cemetery equipment in opening and closing the grave; and
  • Related interment expenses.

  Last Updated: 3/14/22
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