As soon as officials at the Air Force Port Mortuary in Dover, Del., realized cremated and incinerated servicemember remains were being disposed of in a landfill, they changed the process. A retirement--at-sea option has been available since 2008 for subsequently-identified remains. The remains are cremated and placed in a sea-salt urn. The mortuary arranges with the Navy to have the retirement at sea. The Air Force has set up a hotline for families who have questions about the processes the mortuary used. It is 1-855-637-2583. Or families with questions can e-mail officials at dover.pm@pentagon.af.mil.
For more on burial and memorial benefits, see the Military.com Benefits Center.
