SOG 6-14 FUNERAL PROTOCOLS
A. Scope:
This protocol is to provide procedural and ceremonial guidelines for the membership of Haddon Fire Company No. 1 (HFC) pertaining to the death of a member or affiliate of Haddon Fire Company No. 1, or the death in the fire service outside of our company.
B. DEFINITIONS
Line of Duty Death – Any action in which a firefighter or Borough EMT is killed while actively involved in the performance of his/her duties. This includes responding to, mitigating or returning from a call, and also includes the death of an active member or Borough EMT while performing training duties. A Line of Duty Death will merit Full Honors internment whether or not an official LODD has been determined for beneficiary purposes.
Member – Active /Non Active member of HFC. Death Encompasses any circumstance in which a member dies, but not serving in response to an emergency call.
Affiliate Member – Honorary Member, Family of HFC member, Borough Employees, Paramedics, HFC Ladies Auxiliary, HFC Explorers, any civilian that HFC membership recognizes/approves as an affiliate. Death encompasses any circumstance in which a member dies, but not serving in response to an emergency call.
Borough – Borough of Haddonfield
Full Honors – The following provisions for a funeral ceremony will be extended to a member who dies in the line of duty. The bestowal includes: Full Uniform burial, Color Guard, Honor Guard, multi-department viewing and funeral, Fire Company pall bearers, casket carried in hearse in a multi-department procession, crossed aerial ladders with American Flag on procession route, boots and helmet on casket, bagpipe, bugle, and bell at cemetery, bunting on engines and station, station dressed flags.
Company Honors – The following provisions for a funeral ceremony will be extended to a member who dies not from a cause attributed to a fire or medical emergency, or a training drill. The bestowal includes: Honor Guard, multi-department viewing and funeral, Fire Company pall bearers, casket carried in hearse, HFC procession, crossed aerial ladders with American flag at HFC, boots, helmet, and photo displayed at HFC, bagpipe, bugle, and bell at cemetery, bunting on engines and station, station dressed flags. A draped engine may lead procession (without bearing the casket) if requested.
Affiliate Honors – The following provisions for a funeral ceremony will be extended to an Honorary Member or HFC affiliate who dies. The bestowal includes: HFC walk through.
When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.
C. NOTIFICATION
In the event of a death of a member of HFC or Borough EMT, the Fire Chief will be notified immediately. The Chief will then make notification to the Borough Officials, HFC President and assemble a Funeral Committee followed by notification to the members. Initial contact and notification of the family must take place in a timely, discrete and conscientious manner. In the absence of the Fire Chief, the Asst. Chief will be notified, and will carry out the associated duties.
D. BESTOWAL OF HONORS
The Funeral Committee will use the definitions contained within this protocol to determine which ceremonies are appropriate and to be extended to the family of a fallen Firefighter / EMT. The general guidelines are as follows:
Line of Duty Death: Full Honors
Active / Non Active Member: Company Honors
Honorary Member/HFC Affiliate: Affiliate Honors
E. PERIOD OF MOURNING
In the event of a HFC member death, a period of mourning will be observed according to the following:
HFC Flag at half staff:
Line of Duty: 30 Days
Active /Non Active: 15 Days
Honorary: 5 Days
Affiliate: None *
Mourning band on badge:
Line of Duty: 30 Days
Active / Non Active: 15 Days
Honorary: 5 Days
Affiliate: None
Memorial Name Plaque
Line of Duty: 30 Days
Active /Non Active: 15 Days
Honorary: 5 Days
Affiliate None *
Bunting
Displayed across front station: Line of Duty Death :30 Days
Displayed across front door: Active /Non Active: 15 Days
Displayed across front door : Honorary: 5 Days
Affiliate None
With exception of a Borough Official, Borough EMT, Paramedic, Explorer, Ladies Auxiliary, the flag will fly half-staff and name placed on Memorial Plaque from time of notification until time of internment.
After notification of a LODD is completed, flags at all Borough properties (municipal, fire stations, schools, etc.) should be lowered to half- staff in honor of fallen firefighter. Flags at Borough properties should remain at half-staff from date of death through the day of the committal.
F. OUTSIDE OF COMPANY DEATH
In the event of the death of a firefighter who is a nonmember of HFC, the following guidelines are suggested. The Chief will make the final decision to determine the company’s participation.
Line of Duty Death – Flag lowered to half-staff from time of notification until time of interment. Official HFC representation at the viewing and funeral. Official condolences from the HFC to the bereaved Department by way of phone, cards or flowers.
Off Duty or Retiree Death – Official HFC representation at the viewing. Official condolences from HFC to the bereaved Department by way of phone, cards or flowers.
II. PLANNING
A. Family Liaison – A member of HFC and President of HFC should be immediately assigned as a family contact to assist the family and serve as the liaison between the family and the funeral committee.
Do they want a fire service funeral?
Do they want a church funeral? If so which church?
Who is their choice of clergy or other religious representative?
Where is the funeral home?
Who is the funeral director?
If the family requests a fire service funeral, the funeral director should be so notified. The funeral director makes arrangements with the church, cemetery, etc. The fire company should make arrangements for the funeral director to receive deceased’s uniform in the event of a fire service funeral or if requested by family. List of pallbearers must be obtained from the family. Honor guard members will be selected from company members, and scheduled to stand at casket during viewing at funeral home. The Pallbearers are exempt from Chief orders and will operate under the OIC. The Instructions to the pallbearers on the removal, handling, and transporting of the casket will be given by the funeral director.
Arrangements must begin immediately on site selection for the Memorial Service (if planned) and for collation (reception) following funeral/memorial service. Vendors should be immediately solicited for assistance.
B. Funeral Committee must determine the availability of the following:
White gloves
Badge covers
Bunting (fire stations)
Church cards (last alarm) are desired and arrange with printer for production (if cards are to be printed). This must be done immediately to allow for printing time.
Bag pipes and bugler
Hotel(s). Fire fighters throughout the nation will attempt to attend funeral.
C. Police Department Assistance: Announce line-of-duty death with as much detail as possible, including funeral arrangements, Fire Company, address, and phone number point of contact (POC) for funeral.
Detail a marked car at deceased house during entire funeral period.
Police present at planning meeting to assist with logistical coordination including traffic, crowd control, out-of-town fire fighters, parking, etc.
D. Bugler/ Bag Pipes: Local musicians, unions, or schools can provide these services. (Camden County Emerald Society Pipes and Drums # 10 and Haddonfield American Legion Post # 38 can provide or assist in acquiring these services)
E. Florists: Florists should be informed of special arrangements they may be called upon to develop for a firefighter funeral. Some suggestions are:
Maltese cross
Fire Company logo/patch
Broken rung ladder
Crossed pike pole and axe
Helmet
F. Notifications: In addition to the above, others need to be notified:
New Jersey Division of Fire Safety (LODD only)
Camden County Fire Marshal’s Office (LODD only)
National Fallen Firefighter’s Foundation (LODD only)
Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund (LODD only)
New Jersey Division of Pensions and Benefits (LODD only)
National Fire Academy/U. S. Fire Administration (LODD only)
State Fire Incident Reporting System (LODD only)
Federal Public Safety Officers’ Benefit Program (PSOB).(LODD only)
Camden County Communication Center (for radio announcement)
Secretary of the Haddonfield Fireman’s Relief Association
G. Station Dress
Ladders cross arches draped with flag.
Turn out gear and photo displayed in chair
Bunting displayed across front station (LODD only)
Bunting displayed across front door (Non LODD)
Memorial Plaque displaying name and dates of deceased
H. Cemetery Dress
It should immediately be determined how many mourners the cemetery and/or gravesite area can accommodate. Committal is usually for family and close friends. Apparatus can be detailed to cemetery gates with fire fighters in full dress.
Ladders cross arches draped with flag. (LODD only)
III. THE FUNERAL Funeral Director is responsible and has the primary concern of assisting the family, including bringing them into church, and seating. Chief will direct and coordinate fire company and fire fighter involvement in funeral. The OIC will direct the Honor Guard and Pallbearers.
Funeral Home
Honor Guard
Two firefighters will be posted at the casket at all times during viewing.
Honor Guard will be changed at 15-minute intervals.
OIC will escort Honor Guard to and from the casket
Honor Guard will salute the casket prior to posting
Relieving guards will salute casket prior to departing
OIC Commands – “Detail… Attention”, “Present… Arms”, “Order… Arms”, “Guards… Side… Step”, “Detail… Post”, “Guards… Forward… and Face”,
“Present…Arms”, “ Order… Arms” “ Right/Left… Face”, “Forward… March”
A pause should occur between the words in a command.
Presentation of “Arms” is a slow salute followed by a slow order of “Arms”
Exiting Funeral Home/Church
The apparatus is stationed in front of the funeral home.
The color guard lines up to one side. (LODD only)
Fire Company, officials and dignitaries line up opposite the color
guard. (LODD only)
As the OIC leads the Pallbearers out of the funeral home, the Chief orders the “Company… attention” followed by “Present… arms” and a hand salute.
Pallbearers carry casket to hearse and load the casket.
When the casket is in place, the pallbearers stand facing each other, and
The OIC commands, “Detail… present… arms,” for a short hand salute by the
Pallbearers. OIC calls, “Detail… order… arms.” Followed by the Chief calls “Company …order… arms” The OIC then calls, “Detail… dismissed.” Followed by the Chief calling “Company… dismissed”.
Arriving at Church
Color Guard should post colors prior to church service. (LODD only)
Honor guard should be posted outside church on both sides of entrance.
Fire Company members and civilian delegates should line up with honor guard to street.
Family passes between ranks. The family should enter church ahead of any dignitaries. Ushers should keep front right part of church open for members and delegates.
After the body is greeted, all march into church (uncovered) and are seated in the following fashion:
Chief
Asst Chief
Past Chief officers
Members of company by rank
Members of other fire departments
(All FF’s remain standing until all FF’s are in place.)
D. Departing Church
At conclusion of service, ushers will direct fire-fighting delegation to street where
they resume original places, facing church, under direction of chief-in-charge.
The OIC will lead the Pallbearers out of the Church; the Chief will call “Company… attention” followed by “Present… arms” and a hand salute.
Pallbearers carry casket to apparatus/hearse and load the casket.
When the casket is in place, the pallbearers stand facing each other, and
The OIC commands, “Detail… present… arms,” for a short hand salute by the
Pallbearers. OIC calls, “Detail… order… arms.”
Followed by Chief calls “Company… order… arms”
The OIC then calls, “Detail… dismissed.”
Followed by Chief calling “Company…dismissed”.
Procession
After services, funeral director assembles procession. Chief directs all fire fighting
Personnel to board apparatus/vehicles. Pallbearers ride with casket/flower vehicle.
Lead car police department
HFC Chief’s car
Flower car /Engine or car
Hearse
Immediate family limousines or cars
HFC company vehicles
Local government officials in cars (LODD only)
Neighboring and visiting staff vehicles (LODD only)
Neighboring and visiting apparatus (LODD only)
Other municipal vehicles (LODD only)
Friends of the family private vehicles
Rear car (police department)
Procession will make a final pass by the station. The manpower at the station will salute the casket as it passes. The casket will stop under the flag. The Chief will then pay final tribute to the firefighter by radio “Station 14-1 signals the last alarm for (Rank & Name) who served Haddon Fire Company No. 1 for _____ years.” The station will activate a long blast of the air horn. The procession will then proceed to the cemetery.
F. Arriving at Cemetery
Chief shall be responsible for assembling fire fighters at gravesite. HFC Members will form a line from the Hearse/Engine to grave sight. The OIC will lead the Pallbearers to the grave sight. The Chief will call “Company …attention” followed by “Present… arms” and a hand salute. Pallbearers will carry casket to grave sight. Chief will then assemble the company at the gravesite. The OIC will then command the Pallbearers and lower the casket and hold the flag. OIC. “Detail… lower” “Detail… flag”.
IV. COMMITAL
The clergy offers condolences followed by a prayer.
Bugler then plays Taps followed by the folding of the flag.
The flag is then presented to OIC. The last Pallbearer renders a salute and returns to formation.
The OIC then presents the flag to the family. Greets the family and states: “On behalf of Haddon Fire Company No. 1, it is an honor to present to you this flag memorializing (Rank/Name) service to Haddon Fire Company and the community for which he/she served. God Bless you and your family.”
The OIC will then render a salute and return to the Pallbearers.
The bag piper will then play Amazing Grace, or appropriate hymn
“LAST ALARM” CEREMONY
HFC member will then step forward to the gravesite and remain there until the OIC orders the Pallbearers to return to the ranks. The HFC member reads:
Throughout most of history, the lives of firefighters have been closely associated with the
ringing of a bell. As they began their tour of duty, it was the bell that started it off. Through the day and night, each alarm was sounded by a bell, that called them to fight the fire and to place their lives in jeopardy for the good of our citizens. And when the fire was out, and the alarm had come to an end, the bell rang three times to signal the end. And now our Brother (Sister) _____________________ has completed his (her) task, his (her) duties well, and the bell rings three times in memory of _____, and, in tribute to, his (her) life and service.
The Chief calls everyone to “Attention.”
The Chief calls everyone to “Present… arms”.
The bell is then struck three times for three sessions (9 times).
The Chief calls everyone to “Order… arms”.
The OIC will then order the Pallbearers to return to the ranks of the company.
The chaplain offers a closing prayer.
FIREFIGHTERS PRAYER
When I am called to duty, God
Wherever flames may rage
Give me strength to save a life
Whatever be its age.
Let me embrace a little child
Before it is too late
Or save an older person from
The horror of that fate.
Enable me to be alert
And hear the weakest shout,
and quickly and efficiently
To put the fire out.
I want to fill my calling
To give the best in me,
To guard my friend and neighbor
And protect their property.
And, if, according to your will,
While on duty I must answer death’s call;
Bless with your protecting hand
My family, one and all.
The clergy will then relay the location of the gathering.
Chief calls company for final walk through
METHOD FOR FOLDING THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES
Hold the flag flat centered over the casket.
(A) Fold the flag lengthwise once. (B) Fold the folded edge over
Fold the lower striped section to meet the open edge
of the flag over the blue field.
(C) Start a triangular fold by bringing. (D) Fold the outer point inward the striped corner of the folded edge to open edge parallel with the open edge to
the form a second triangle. Continue folding until the entire length of the flag is folded into a triangle with only the blue field and margin showing. Tuck the remaining margin into the pocket formed by the folds at the blue field edge of the flag.
(E) When properly folded, the flag should resemble a three cornered (cocked hat)