I. Conducting Military Interments II. Conducting Ministerial Services for Secular Public Events III.Current FSH Installation Chaplain Guidance IV.Setting

I. Conducting Military IntermentsII. Conducting Ministerial Services for

Secular Public EventsIII. Current FSH Installation Chaplain Guidance

IV. Setting up the ChapelV. History of Taps

Fort Sam Houston UMT Monthly Training:15 March 2007

Part 5

“Military Ceremonies and Ministry--The Challenge To Honor Our Nation’s

Best”

Fort Sam Houston UMT Monthly Training:15 March 2007

Part 5

“Military Ceremonies and Ministry--The Challenge To Honor Our Nation’s

Best”

Fort Sam Houston UMT Monthly Training:

Military Ceremonies and Ministry--The Challenge To Honor Our Nation’s Best



“Conducting

Military Interment Services”

AgendaAgenda

To conduct military interments in response to the increase demand brought on by recent legislation:

• What standards can we use to ensure we are conducting a military interment properly?

• What do the regulations and current policies say about conducting military interments?

• What kind of interment services do chaplains conduct?

AgendaAgenda

• What are the family needs to honor the deceased?

• How should the chaplain prepare for the interment service?

• How should the chaplain conduct the service?

• How does the chaplain relate or interact with the honor guard detail?

AgendaAgenda

• How should the flag be presented to the next of kin (NOK)?

• How does the chaplain maintain control of the interment service?

• What kind of follow-up pastoral support should take place after the interment?

• What are some of the comments family members have made regarding interments at ANC?

Arlington National Cemetery:The Standard of Excellence for all Chaplains

Arlington National Cemetery:The Standard of Excellence for all Chaplains

• Staffed with a Senior Army Chaplain (O-5), Staff Chaplain (O-4), and two Chaplain Assistants (E-7 and E-5)

• ANC has the capability to perform up to 35-40 funerals in one day from all of the service chaplains and cemetery representatives currently available

• Each ANC Army chaplain has the capability of doing up to 6 funerals in a day

• Other active duty, reservist, and national guard chaplains in MDW augment the current ANC mission workload

• Visiting chaplains and civilian clergy officiating services often come unsure of how to conduct an interment at ANC

Arlington National Cemetery: The Standard of Excellence for all Chaplains

Arlington National Cemetery: The Standard of Excellence for all Chaplains

Interment services at ANC are marked by:

• PRECISION

• STRUCTURE

• INTEGRATION

• PROFESSIONALISM

• DETAILED PLANNING

• A TOTAL CARE PACKAGE

• A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

WHY?WHY?

...we do it for OUR GOD, OUR FAITH, and we do it for OUR COUNTRY.”

“The answer is an epitaph to where we have been, to who we are today, and

where we will go in the next millenium…

What do the regulations and current policies say about conducting military interments?


Current references are:

• AR 165-1, Chaplain Activities in the U.S. Army

• AR 290-5, Army National Ceremonies• AR 600-8-1, Army Casualty and Memorial Affairs and Line of Duty

Investigations

• AR 600-10, The Army Casualty System

• AR 600-25, Salutes, Honors, and Visits of Courtesy

• AR 638-1, Disposition of Personal Effects of Deceased and Missing Persons

• AR 638-30, Graves Registration Organization and Functions in Support of Major Military Operations



• AR 638-40, Care and Disposition of Remains

• AR 840-10, Flags, Guidons, Streamers, Tabards, Automobile and Aircraft Plates

• FM 10-57F, Soldier’s Manual, 57F Graves Registration Specialist

• FM 10-63, Handling of Deceased Personnel in Theaters of Operation

• FM 10-63-1, Graves Registration Handbook

• FM 22-5, Drill and Ceremonies

• FM 16-1, Religious Support Doctrine: The Chaplain and Chaplain Assistant

• DACH Handbook, Religious Requirements and Practices of Certain Selected Groups



AR 165-1 says:

• Each chaplain ministers to the personnel of the unit and facilitates the “free-exercise” rights of all personnel, regardless of religious affiliation of either the chaplain or the unit member. (Para 4-4b)

• When conducting religious services, a chaplain will wear the military uniform, vestments, or other appropriate attire established by church law or denominational practice; (chaplains scarf, stole, or tallit may be worn with the uniform) (Para 4-4d)

AR 165-1 says:

• Chaplains are authorized to conduct rites, sacraments, and services as required by their respective denomination. Chaplains will not be required to take part in worship when such participation is at variance with the tenets of their faith. (Para 4-4e)

• Upon command orders, chaplains will conduct or assist in arranging for burial services at the interring of members of the military service, retired military personnel, and other personnel as authorized by Army regulations, DOD policy, and applicable law. (Para 4-4f)



AR 165-1 says:

• Military and patriotic ceremonies may require a chaplain to provide an invocation, reading, prayer, or benediction. Such occasions are not considered to be religious services. Chaplains will not be required to offer a prayer, if doing so would be in variance with the tenets or practices of their faith group. (Para 4-4h)

• Chaplains will not accept fees for performing ministrations, sacraments, pastoral and family counseling, and ordinances, which are a part of their official military duty. Accepting gifts is subject to guidance of DODD 5500.7R. (Para 4-4i)



Minimally, provide the following IAW DOD guidance:• Two military persons plus the bugler if available • Play Taps with a bugler or on tape• Fold and present the American flag• One of the uniformed military persons should come

from the deceased veteran’s parent service and should present the flag to NOK

• Military persons must be trained in the protocols and procedures of conducting military interments.

What kind of interment services do chaplains conduct?






• Full Honors

• Standard Honors• Graveside (No Honors)

• Family Members

• Memorials

• Chapel Services

FM 22-5 says in Paragraph 9-29a:

• Military funerals are divided into the two following classes:

– Chapel service, followed by movement to the grave or place of local disposition with the prescribed escort.

– With graveside service only.



FM 22-5 says in Paragraph 9-29b:

• A full military honors funeral normally consists of the following elements:– Band

– Escort appropriate to the grade of the deceased, including a firing party and bugler (AR 600-25).

– Colors

– Chaplain or clergy (Chaplain may escort civilian clergy)

– Hearse or Caisson and active pallbearers

– Honorary Pallbearers

– Personal Colors (if appropriate)





Memorial Services

and

Memorial Ceremonies

What’s the difference?

What are the family needs to honor the deceased?


• Acknowledged spokesperson for the family

• Structure and focus in the preparation and execution of service

• Time management

• Accentuation of faith

• Offering of hope

• Presence of love

• Celebration of life-- family rituals, special eulogies, and presentations

• A time of peace

• Passion, compassion, and conviction

• Gentle disposition and affirmation

• Acknowledgement of loss and pain

• Dignity-- for the deceased and survivors

• Limited participation and accessibility by non-family members

• Closure and new direction



• P-R-A-Y• Acknowledge command authorization for

interment• Contact next of kin (NOK) and schedule a meeting

with family before the scheduled interment service• Learn family names as early as possible• Determine requirements and type of service the

family desires and is authorized to have• Plan with the family (with NOK as arbiter) the

order of the service and participants in the funeral

How should the chaplain prepare for the interment service?


• Ask family for favorite scripture readings, hymns, and songs

• Remind family of “sacredness” and dignity of service

• DO NOT get caught up in family bickering nor give the appearance of partiality-- BE FIRM

• Coordinate all requirements with the command and the funeral director

• Contact the honor guard detail OIC or NCOIC to coordinate order of events



• Plan for the unexpected and any unforeseen changes-- family clergy vs. chaplain-led services

• Check uniforms and check them again• Rehearse the program on paper and on site

with participants as time permits• Have an inclement weather plan• P-R-A-Y





Chaplains must consider the nature of the remains of the deceased while

planning the interment service-- regardless of the type of military ceremony planned to honor the

deceased….



Bodily Remains (Casket)

vs. Cremains (Urn)

vs.

No Remains

How should the chaplain conduct the service?


• Be courteous, poised, and confident• Maintain your military bearing and posture• Speak loud enough for all to hear… use a PA

system where appropriate-- enunciate and project your words without shouting

• Speak with conviction and confidence• Execute all military commands with precision

but don’t be robotic

• Acknowledge members of the family throughout the service

• Be a pastor and a strong shoulder to lean on• Be cognizant of the time• Cater to the immediate needs of the family and

not your own• STAY IN YOUR LANE



How does the chaplain relate or interact with the honor guard detail?

How does the chaplain relate or interact with the honor guard detail?

• OIC or NCOIC is in charge of honor guard, firing party, and bugler

• Chaplain should and must make on the spot corrections --before and after the service-- BUT NEVER DURING THE SERVICE

• Chaplain and OIC or NCOIC should collaborate before execution of service

• Seek the advice of the OIC or NCOIC on matters of military customs and courtesies if you don’t know

• Chaplain must remember that his/her ministry extends to the honor guard detail also-- BE PASTORAL AND APPROACHABLE

How should the flag be presented to the next of kin (NOK)?

How should the flag be presented to the next of kin (NOK)?

• The chaplain has the option to receive and pass the flag to the NOK-- HIGHLY recommend chaplain presents flag.

• NOK may opt for another family member to receive flag-- be sure that is coordinated before the service

• White gloves are optional but HIGHLY recommended

• An example of a statement to use at the time of presentation of the flag to the NOK:

“On behalf of the President of the United States and soldiers of the United States Army, I present this flag to you in behalf of your loved-one’s faithful and dedicated service to a very grateful nation. May he/she rest in peace and may God bless in you in your time of loss.”

How does the chaplain maintain control of the interment service?How does the chaplain maintain control of the interment service?

• Coordinate with funeral director and/or cemetery representative for support

• In the event of a graveside family squabble or demonstrative expressions of grief… DON’T TAKE SIDES

• Protect the sanctity and dignity of the service

• Ensure the flag is safeguarded

• Have an escort or escorts available to remove disruptive family members or visitors away from gravesite

• Keep the chapel and graveside services focused, brief, and to the point

• Set limits for participants and make them accountable

How does the chaplain maintain control of the interment service?How does the chaplain maintain control of the interment service?

What kind of follow-up pastoral support should take place after the interment?

What kind of follow-up pastoral support should take place after the interment?

• Coordinate pastoral support with family pastor or clergy

• Follow-up phone calls

• Follow-up letters

• Home visitations

• Short-term grief counseling

• Memorials

• Encourage family/friends interaction

• Encourage community volunteerism

What are some of the comments family members have made regarding

interments at ANC?


interments at ANC?

• The family and especially the grandchildren were very impressed by the military ceremony.

• Everything was very impressive and in the very best of taste. I am glad my family waited and came to ANC as I know it helped us all to have Bill so fondly cared for at his final Army formation.

• Provide family with form to be completed for gravesite eulogy by chaplain before arriving at cemetery. The chaplain got some of the information confused because it was given in a rush with many persons talking at the same time. Perhaps the funeral home could assist in this process. All was much appreciated.

• In my wildest dreams, I never expected that. It was great and closed a chapter of my life with dignity.

• We were all honored by all of you. Even in stormy weather, everyone performed flawlessly.

• I could not ask for a more considerate and supportive staff.

• My family was very pleased with every aspect of my husband’s interment at ANC. We would not change anything. May God continue to bless the wonderful work you do in making families feel as comfortable as possible.


interments at ANC?


interments at ANC?

• Our funeral was conducted during the winter storm. Everything was rushed. We were very disappointed with the ceremony coordinator. He disregarded the family wishes to hold the ceremony at the start time. We started 15 minutes early, before significant family members could arrive. We finished before the scheduled start time. Then there was a significant gap before the next funeral began-- obviously a high ranking Naval person. We could have held to schedule. We love Arlington and will love visiting but this could have been better.

• It would have helped if the family and the chaplain could have more time to exchange thoughts, etc. However, I realize that this is not easy to arrange given the time constraints.


interments at ANC?


interments at ANC?

Please accept the condolences of this command on your recent loss of your loved-one. The Military District of Washington Commander wants to assess how families who choose to inter their loved ones at Arlington National Cemetery have been served. Please take a brief moment to complete the following questions, fold sheet in half lengthwise, seal with enclosed tabs, and drop your response into a mail box.

(PLEASE CIRCLE ONE RESPONSE)

Overall, the interment process for my loved one was:Very Inspiring Very Disappointing

1 2 3 4 5

The Officiating Chaplain’s response to my family’s needs appeared to be:Very Sensitive Somewhat Distant

1 2 3 4 5

The Officiating Chaplain’s conduct of the religious service was:Very Inspiring Very Disappointing

1 2 3 4 5

The Honor Guard support (Casket Team, Firing Party, Escorts, etc.) was:Very Impressive Very Disappointing

1 2 3 4 5

The Bugler playing “Taps” and/or Band support was:Very Inspiring Very Disappointing

1 2 3 4 5

The Arlington National Cemetery Funeral representative and administrative staff were: Very Helpful Unhelpful 1 2 3 4 5

My expectations of how the interment process would be conducted were:Far Exceeded Unrealized1 2 3 4 5

MDW GOAL 2 Sustain our reputation as the acknowledged military leader in planning and conducting official ceremonies and public events.

STATUS

Amber

MDW STRATEGY-2.2. Conduct Military Funerals (Arlington National Cemetery/Army Off Post.

MDW OBJECTIVE-2.2.1 Conduct 100% of ANC funerals to Next-of-Kin satisfaction.

METRIC- 100%Satisfaction rate (5.0 on scale of 1-5)

BASELINE - MDW Performance as of 1 OCT 99

BENCHMARK - MDW Performance as of 1 OCT 99

MEASUREMENT TOOL - Next-of-Kin Feedback Card

4.4

4.5

4.6

4.7

4.8

4.9

5

Obj. 2.2.1. Conduct 100% of ANC Funerals to NOK Satisfaction

Obj. 2.2.1. Conduct 100% of ANC Funerals to NOK Satisfaction

NOTES:SEP=7 Response cards out of 186OCT=50 Response cards out of 214NOV=21 Response cards out of 205

= 5.0

= 4.5 to 4.9

= 4.4 and below

SEPOCT

NOV

“Conducting Ministerial Services

for Secular Public Events”





To participate in other public ceremonies approved and supported by the command:

• What other public ceremonies can chaplains apply their ministerial skills?

• How should a chaplain prepare and conduct an invocation and/or benediction for a public secular event?

• How can chaplains measure the effectiveness of their performance of ministry in military ceremonies?

• What is the bottom-line in performing military ceremonial ministry?

AgendaAgenda

What other public ceremonies can chaplains apply their ministerial skills?

What other public ceremonies can chaplains apply their ministerial skills?

• Special Memorial Ceremonies– Centennial Anniversary of the Spanish-American War

• Bi-partisan One-Time Events– The Exoneration Ceremony for Henry O. Flipper

• Public Service Award Ceremonies– Volunteers In Service to America

• Special Military Ceremonies and Celebrations– U.S. Army Chaplaincy Anniversary Celebration

– Independence Day Celebration

• Ensure public ceremonies are not fundraisers or partisan organizations with ideological connotations in conflict with current Army policy

How should a chaplain prepare and conduct an invocation and/or benediction

for a public event?

How should a chaplain prepare and conduct an invocation and/or benediction

for a public event?

• Ask for Divine Guidance-- PRAY• Determine what is the occasion for the prayer• Determine who your audience will be• Write down your prayer(s)• Rehearse the prayer(s)• Check the timing of your prayer(s)• Pray with POWER and CONVICTION• Let your host have a copy of the prayer(s)

How can chaplains measure the effectiveness of their performance

of ministry in military ceremonies?

How can chaplains measure the effectiveness of their performance

of ministry in military ceremonies?

• Know your audience-- before, during, and after the ceremony

• Develop a feedback survey card and collect data

• Conduct AARs on ceremonies

• Publish data on the conduct of ceremonies

• Does the organization invite you back?

What is the bottom-line in performing military ceremonial ministry?

What is the bottom-line in performing military ceremonial ministry?

• Represent the best of your FAITH

• Represent the best of your PROFESSION

• Represent the best in our NATION

THINGS TO REMEMBER!THINGS TO REMEMBER!

• COMMAND SUPPORT

• NO ONE KNOWS IT IS A MISTAKE UNTIL YOU TELL THEM-- ABOVE ALL ELSE KEEP COOL

• LOOK AND ACT IN A PROFESSIONAL MANNER AT ALL TIMES

• STAY IN YOUR LANE

• UNIFORM SHOULD BE FLAWLESS

• AS AN ENVOY OF FAITH, YOU ARE THERE TO MEET THE NEEDS OF OTHERS NOT YOURSELF

• ALWAYS FOLLOW-UP WITH NOK AND HOSTS

How excellent is thy Name in all the Earth... He is worthy of

honor and praise!

Vignette #1Vignette #1

A chaplain assistant receives a message that a soldier has died in an overseas deployment. This soldier’s death has national recognition. The soldier is not from this installation but his parents and family live in the current locale. The Casualty Office has not made an official notification as yet. The possibility of the interment being in the local area is currently high. What should the chaplain assistant do to help prepare his/her chaplain to cover this interment service?


The Installation Commander has just tasked the UMT to plan, coordinate, and conduct a Memorial Day Celebration. There will be VIPs and other dignitaries attending the program. The commander has tasked you to provide an appropriate invocation and benediction for the occasion. The Commander states that all soldiers will attend the program and the uniform is TBD. The action agency for the program is civilian and is unfamiliar with military courtesies and protocol. The guest speaker is allegedly a Congressman from the Armed Services Committee. What guidance can the UMT give to ensure success?


The Installation Commander wants to establish the correct protocols for supporting soldiers and family members in honoring their deceased loved-ones. There have been complaints from FSH cemetery and family members about the support the installation has given to some highly visible cases in recent months. He tasked the UMT to head up a panel to review current processes and procedures in place to support this mission. Who are the players and what recommendations do you think they should make to improve the current situation?

“Setting up the Chapel”

Top Frontal View

Pews

Altar(w/bible and

candles)

Kevlar/WeaponDisplay

U.S. Colors Chapel Colors

Seats forParticipants

Seats forParticipants

Cross

If unit also desires that Unit Colors bedisplayed, consult protocol or unit

CSM.

Pulpit

Lectionary

Command GroupBDE/BN CDR/CSM

Parents/Spouse

Other Family

Make sure yourun seating chartthrough protocol

Kevlar/Weapon Display

Kevlar w deceased soldier’s nameon camo band and rank

M-16 or M-4 (barrel down) w/fixed bayonet and empty magazinein magazine well. Magazine sideis toward congregation I.D. tags suspended from magazine

Memorial Stand

Pair of highly shined boots.

“A HISTORY OF TAPS”

Questions ?

Documents

I. Conducting Military Interments II. Conducting Ministerial Services for Secular Public Events III.Current FSH Installation Chaplain Guidance IV.Setting