Overview

At this time, the CDC states that decedents with COVID-19 may be buried or cremated according to the family’s preferences. However, you should “check for any additional state and local requirements that may dictate the handling and disposition of the remains of individuals who have died of certain infectious diseases.” 

Graveside Service Recommendations from the National Concrete Burial Vault Association (May 21) - As states begin revising their executive orders and slowly lifting restrictions, our colleagues at the National Concrete Burial Vault Association have adjusted their graveside service equipment recommendations. The NCVBA reminds you that you should comply with all state and local mandates when setting up graveside services. You can find the updated guidance here.

CDC Guidance on Death Certificates and Death Investigations

• NEW (July 28, 2020): FAQs for Medicolegal Death Investigators
• NVSS COVID-19 Formal Reporting Guidance, includes a link to the Guidance for Certifying Deaths Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID–19)
• Webinar entitled "Guidance for Certifying Deaths Due to Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)" hosted by CDC COCA program provides detail on guidance. 
• Video: Certifying Deaths Due to Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) - CDC National Center for Health Statistics
• Other guidance and trainings -- https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/training-and-instructional-materials.htm, including: 
  • Guidelines for Reporting Occupation and Industry on Death Certificates
  • Funeral Director’s Handbook: Death Registration and Fetal Death Reporting, includes information on reporting age, sex, race and ethnicity, education, and occupation and industry
• General guidance for filling out cause of death on death certificates, including:
  • Improving Cause of Death Reporting: Online Training Module, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/training/improving_cause_of_death_reporting/
  • Cause of Death Mobile App, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/mobile-app.htm
• Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Death Data, https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nvss/covid-19.htm) from the National Vital Statistics System (NVSS) at the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
• From the CDC, Understanding the Numbers: Provisional Death Counts and COVID-19

Shipping Cremated Remains

If you need to ship cremated remains, please remember they may only be shipped via U.S. Mail. 

Overview of Process

Video: How To Ship Cremated Remains Safely

Publication 139 - How to Package and Ship Cremated Remains

Other Guidelines on Shipping & Packaging Cremated Remains

States Recommending Cremation Only

After initially stating that individuals who die of COVID-19 can only be cremated, the state of Nevada clarified and said “Decedents with COVID-19 can be buried or cremated.” 

Currently, NFDA is not aware of any state laws requiring cremation for the remains of a decedent who died of a communicable disease. There may be authority for a State Public Health Department to require cremation in case of communicable disease, but no law mandates it. Stay abreast of any rules and regulations that are required by your state.

At this time, the CDC states that decedents with COVID-19 may be buried or cremated according to the family’s preferences. However, you should “check for any additional state and local requirements that may dictate the handling and disposition of the remains of individuals who have died of certain infectious diseases.”

Interment in Veterans Cemeteries

The National Cemetery Administration and Department of Defense Response to COVID- 19 Regarding Funerals and Military Honors

Overview

The National Cemetery Administration (NCA), part of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), is responsible for providing interment benefits to eligible veterans and dependents and for administering America’s national veterans’ cemeteries. Veteran benefits for interment in a national cemetery include the gravesite and grave liner, opening and closing of the grave, government headstone or marker, U.S. burial flag, Presidential Memorial Certificate, and the perpetual care of the grave site. These benefits are provided at no cost to the family.

NCA operates 142 national cemeteries and 133 soldiers’ lots and monuments sites in 40 states and Puerto Rico. Over four million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in one of NCA’s sites. As localities grapple with the spread of COVID-19, NCA has temporarily adjusted its procedures regarding burials scheduled to take place in a national cemetery.

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), is under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DOD), Office of Army Cemeteries, and not NCA. It sits on 639 acres of land near Washington, DC and is the final resting spot for has also adjusted its procedures for visitation and interments. Both VA and DOD have also made alterations to the rendering of military funeral honors.

NCA Cemetery Operating Status

For the latest information on the operational changes at national veterans cemeteries or to schedule an interment, vist the NCA's “Alerts” for the most up-to-date information. 

Update - June 5, 2020: VA Resumes Committal and Burial Services Halted During COVID-19 Pandemic

Roll of Honor

With the health and safety concerns brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCA has made adjustments to operations, such discontinuing customary committal services and funeral honors. To help give veterans the honor and recognition they rightly deserve, starting April 13, individuals interred in a VA national cemetery will be recognized on a new Roll of Honor page. You are invited to visit this page and take a moment to honor these veterans.

Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) and Military Funeral Honors

For the latest information on operational changes at ANC visit its COVID-19 Information site. 

State Veterans Cemeteries

Check with your state veterans cemetery for information about any operational changes they may be making during the pandemic.