Death notification
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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A death notification is a message delivered to the family of a soldier or public service member who has died. The Military of the United States withholds the name of a deceased member until 24 hours after the family has been notified.
For military notifications, there are usually multiple persons involved: the notifying officer, a chaplain who accompanies the notifying officer throughout the process and who may also assist in delivering the news, a medic (in case the family member faints), and an officer that stays in the car in case the family members react violently.
The US Army Manual states that "The Next of Kin will be notified promptly in an appropriate dignified and understanding manner by a uniformed service representative. He/she will wear the Class "A" uniform and present a soldierly appearance when making notification." It is the Army's policy to make personal notification to the primary next of kin and secondary next of kin of the deceased soldier within four hours after learning of the death. Notification should take place from 0600 to 2200.
In the wake of being notified of a loved one's death, the heirs often must settle the deceased's affairs. This can entail locating financial assets owned by the deceased.
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