Fulfilling our nation’s sacred commitment of ensuring Dignity, Honor, and Respect to our fallen and Care, Service, and Support to their families. Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations strives to be the benchmark by which all DoD Mortuary Affairs programs and mortuary procedures are measured. Dignity, Honor, Respect; Care, Service, Support

Within 24 hours of notification, a briefing is scheduled to inform the family on their funeral options as well as final pay and benefits. The family also is assigned a liaison officer, who consistently speaks with the family and checks in on them throughout the process.

The Department of Defense mortuary affairs and casualty program addresses the need to "take care of its own."

Mortuary affairs and the casualty assistance office, in the 72d Force Support Squadron at Tinker Air Force Base, work with families after the death of a loved one to give them the best support possible.

Families have many options within the program. They can take care of their loved ones' final arrangements themselves. Or they can have the Air Force handle all the arrangements for them. Or they can choose a combination of the two.

These options range from the choice of a specific casket or urn, where the service will be held, what the individual will be dressed in for burial -- service-dress uniform or other uniforms or clothes, the place of burial -- national cemetery or another cemetery the family wants. Also, the Department of Veterans Affairs provides a standard headstone.