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Due to the sequester the standard operating procedures and the time frame for requesting Military Honors has change twice.  Below are the new Standard Operating Procedures and fill in form which became effective April 5.

Click here for the newest fill in form.  Click here for a letter from the Adjutant General at Fort Hood.
 

IMWE-HOD-HR-CAC                                                                                                      1 April 2013

MEMORANDUM FOR Texas Funeral Commission

SUBJECT:  Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for Requesting Funeral Honors From Fort Hood

1.  The goal of the Fort Hood Casualty Assistance Center is to provide Funeral Honors for all Veterans, Retirees, and Active Duty personnel in our area of responsibility when requested by the family.  The purpose of this SOP is to establish and improve our relationship with the Texas Funeral Commission and the funeral homes in our area of responsibility. 

2.  This SOP will assist Funeral Directors in processing military requests for Funeral Honors for fallen Army Veterans and Retirees.  The procedures and timelines listed must be followed to ensure that we are providing the correct service for the fallen service member and the next of kin.

3. The Fort Hood Casualty Assistance Center has 126 personnel available to perform Funeral Honors Our normal business hours are Mon-Fri, 0730-1600.  Funeral Honors coordination must adhere to our normal business hours and the below timelines in order to give the military units providing the teams adequate reaction time.  Our area of responsibility is divided into four categories.

1.  Local:  The funerals conducted within 80 miles of Killeen/Fort Hood.  This area stretches from Hamilton County (north) to Travis County (south).  Requires request 48 hours prior.

2. One Day:  The funerals conducted more than 80 miles away from Killeen/Fort Hood.  This area stretches from Montague County (north) to Bastrop County (south) and from Nolan County (west) to Cherokee County (east).  Requires request 48 hours prior.

3. Two Day:  The funerals conducted more than 200 miles from Killeen/Fort Hood.  This area stretches from Midland County (west) to Shelby County (east). Requires request 48 hours prior.

4. Three Day:  The funerals conducted more than 250 miles from Killeen/Fort Hood.  This area stretches from Crane County (south) to Dallam County (north).  Requires request 72 hour s prior.

4. Responsibilities of the Funeral Director:

a. When the Funeral Director receives a request for military honors from the next of kin, it is their responsibility to ensure they obtain the proper discharge information from the family or Veterans Administration (VA).  The discharge information can be a DD Form 214, Certificate of Honorable Discharge or any other verification from the VA as long as it contains the name, rank, character of service, and years of service.  The funeral director should advise the family of the timelines required to coordinate and obtain an honors team for the family’s consideration in scheduling the funeral date.

       b. The Funeral Director must fill out the Military Funeral Honors Request Form located on the Texas Funeral Service Commission website.   Once the Funeral Director has all of the necessary information, they must call this office at (254) 287-7200, between the hours of 0730 – 1600, Mon-Fri, during normal business hours to request military funeral honors.  Fax Request Form

and discharge information to (254) -288-5620.   The Funeral Directors must call to verify receipt.  Note: Due to recent staff reductions and requirement to give military units adequate response time to provide funeral teams, requests submitted on week-ends and federal holidays will be picked up the following business day to coordinate.  Therefore, funerals scheduled for Mondays, or Tuesdays following a Monday holiday, must be received in the Fort Hood Casualty Assistance Center no later than 4:00 pm on the Thursday prior to allow one normal business day to coordinate and obtain requested support.

5. To ensure that our Honor Teams arrive safely and in a timely manner, we request the following information:

1. If the requesting funeral home is within (a-c above), the director must notify this office at least 48 hours in advance after ensuring discharge information is correct. Requests received less than 48 hours prior may not be supportable.

2. If the requesting funeral home is within the three day area (d above),  the director must notify this office at least 72 hours in advance after ensuring discharge information is correct. Requests received less than 72 hours prior may not be supportable.

6. In an effort to ensure that we continue providing quality service to our Fallen Heroes and their families, we request this information be disseminated to all funeral directors in our area of responsibility.

7. Below is a list of the Fort Hood Casualty Assistance Center area of responsibility which consists of 175 counties. 

8. Point of contact for this SOP is Edward B. McCray, Jr., Memorial Affairs Coordinator at COMMERCIAL: (254) 287-7200, or Fax: (254) 288-5620.

Fort Hood Casualty Assistance Center

Area of Responsibility

175 Counties