Joint Circular No. 114/2005/TTLT-BQP-BNV guiding the organization of funerals for military personnel, defense civil servants who have died or passed away

JOINT CIRCULAR

Guidelines for organizing funerals for

military personnel, defense workers who have died or passed away

Pursuant to the Funeral Regulations for State Officials when they pass away, issued together with Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP dated September 12, 2001 of the Government (referred to as Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP); following the unified opinions of the Central Organization Committee; the Ministry of Finance and the Vietnam Association of War Invalids and Families; the Joint Directive of the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Interior on organizing funerals for military personnel, defense workers who have died or passed away is as follows:

I. SUBJECTS AND SCOPE OF APPLICATION

1. Military personnel on active duty; reservists called up during their concentrated military service period;

2. Defense workers; contractual laborers in enterprises and military units;

3. Military personnel, defense workers who have retired; officials under the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, the General Office for Official Communications of the Government, retired by the Ministry of National Defense's decision;

4. Military personnel who have been demobilized or discharged from service and are members of the Vietnam Veterans Association, upon passing away, shall be organized funeral ceremonies equivalent to their rank and position as stipulated in this Circular, in accordance with specific conditions of each locality.

II. GENERAL PROVISIONS ON FUNERAL ORGANIZATION

1. Funeral ceremonies according to military protocol include: mourning ceremony, memorial service, burial (or cremation). The organization of funeral ceremonies is based on the rank, position, and work history of the deceased.

2. Organizing funeral ceremonies according to military protocol demonstrates the Party, State, and Military's concern and respect for the contributions of those who have sacrificed for the revolutionary cause. Funeral ceremonies should be organized carefully, economically, and in accordance with national traditions and civilized customs, depending on specific conditions.

3. Funeral ceremonies according to military protocol shall only be conducted at locations where conditions permit (at funeral homes, hospitals, government offices). Military protocol shall not be followed when organizing funerals at home or in cases of death due to self-harm, suicide, violation of state laws, or military discipline.

4. In case of combat, if military personnel, defense workers die or pass away without conditions to organize funeral ceremonies as prescribed in this Circular, then a death announcement ceremony shall be held at the local level upon receipt of a death notice.

5. The unit responsible for organizing the funeral shall carry out: establishing a Funeral Committee, a Funeral Organization Committee, developing a plan, assigning tasks, coordinating, and directing the funeral; ensuring costs, settling accounts, and resolving policies in accordance with regulations.

III. SPECIFIC PROVISIONS ON ORGANIZING FUNERALS ACCORDING TO MILITARY PROTOCOL

A. ORGANIZING NATIONAL FUNERALS

Implemented in accordance with Chapter III of the Funeral Regulations for State Officials when they pass away, issued together with Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP.

B. ORGANIZING HIGH-RANK FUNERALS

1. Scope of application:

Active-duty military officials, those who have ceased holding positions, or those who have retired and are managed by the Political Bureau and the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, with the following ranks or positions (not included in the scope of national funerals), when they die or pass away, shall be organized high-rank funerals:

1.1. Members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, Members of the Party Military Council of the Central Committee;

1.2. Deputy Ministers, Chief of the General Staff, Director of the General Political Department;

1.3. Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Deputy Director of the General Political Department;

1.4. Directors and Deputy Directors of the Departments under the Ministry of National Defense;

1.5. Commanders of Military Regions, Military Services, Border Guard Forces;

1.6.Directors and Deputy Directors of the National Defense Academy, Directors of the Political-Military Academy, Directors of the Army Academy;

1.7. Deputy Commanders of Military Regions, Military Services, Border Guard Forces; Commanders of Military Corps;

1.8. Lieutenant Generals, Deputy Admirals of the Navy, Major Generals, Rear Admirals of the Navy;

1.9. Notable social, cultural, and scientific figures awarded the Independence Order of First Class or higher.

2. Funeral classification LIMITATION for high-rank funerals:

2.1. The Ministry of National Defense shall organize high-rank funerals for comrades who died or passed away while holding the positions of Deputy Minister, Chief of the General Staff, Director of the General Political Department (if not within the scope of national funerals).

2.2. Units under the Ministry of National Defense with personnel who died or passed away shall organize high-rank funerals for the remaining positions listed in Point 1, Section B, Part III above.

2.3. In cases where comrades who died or passed away hold one of the positions specified from Clause 1.3 to Clause 1.9, Point 1, Section B, Part III above, and are also members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party or members of the Party Military Council of the Central Committee, the organizing unit under the Ministry of National Defense shall be in charge, but the Head of the Funeral Committee shall be the Minister of National Defense.

2.4. For high-ranking officials who have retired and passed away in their place of residence outside the area of their former unit, the former unit shall take the lead in organizing the funeral in coordination with the Military Region where they reside.

3. Funeral Committee and Funeral Organization Committee: LIMITATION funeral ceremony:

3.1. The Ministry of National Defense's Funeral Committee shall consist of 13 to 15 members, decided by the Minister of National Defense; the Head of the Funeral Committee shall be the Minister of National Defense.

3.2. The Funeral Committee of units under the Ministry of National Defense shall consist of 11 to 13 members, decided by the head of the unit where the deceased served. The Head of the Funeral Committee shall be the head of the unit.

3.3. For high-ranking officials who have retired and passed away, in addition to the members specified in Points 3.1 and 3.2 above, representatives of local party committees and governments shall also participate in the Funeral Committee.

3.4. The Funeral Organization Committee of the Ministry of National Defense shall be decided by the Minister of National Defense; the Funeral Organization Committee of units under the Ministry of National Defense shall be decided by the heads of the units, including representatives of departments and units tasked with assisting the Funeral Committee.

In special cases, the Minister of National Defense shall consider and decide.

4. Condolences, eulogies, thank-you messages:

4.1. The Central Committee of the Communist Party, the Party Military Council of the Central Committee, the Ministry of National Defense, the unit where the deceased worked, and the family shall publish condolences in the first page of the People's Army Newspaper, Vietnam Television, the first page of the People's Army Newspaper, with a photo (6cm x 9cm) and biography for comrades who were Senior Lieutenants or higher; held the positions of Minister, Chief of the General Staff, Director of the General Political Department;

4.2. The Central Military Commission Party Committee, Ministry of National Defense, the unit where the deceased served, and the family shall publish the obituary on the front page of the People's Army Newspaper, Vietnam Television, and the front page of the People's Newspaper, with a photograph (6cm x 9cm) and a brief biography for the rank of Lieutenant General, Deputy Admiral of the Navy; those holding the position of Deputy Minister of National Defense, Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Deputy Director of the Political Department, Director of the Departments, Commander of Military Regions, Services, Border Guard, Academy of National Defense.

4.3. The Ministry of National Defense, the unit where the deceased served, and the family shall publish the obituary on the front page of the People's Army Newspaper, Vietnam Television, and the front page of the People's Newspaper (without publishing photographs and biographies) for the rank of Major General, Rear Admiral of the Navy, and other positions listed in Sections 1.6, 1.7, and 1.9, Point 1, Part B, Chapter III of this Circular. In cases where the deceased was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam or a National Assembly delegate, the obituary shall be issued in the name of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the National Assembly, the Central Military Commission Party Committee, and the Ministry of National Defense first, followed by the name of the unit where the deceased served.

4.4. The Political Bureau shall prepare a brief biography, obituary, eulogy, thank-you message, and photograph of the deceased, organized by the Ministry of National Defense (consulting with the family); to be reviewed by the Funeral Committee.

4.5. The political organs of subordinate units under the Ministry of National Defense, organizing the funeral, shall prepare a brief biography (if applicable), obituary, eulogy, thank-you message, and photograph of the deceased (consulting with the family); to be reviewed by the Funeral Committee.

4.6. The Cadre Department of the Political Bureau shall review the content and publish the obituary in the People's Army Newspaper, the People's Newspaper, and Vietnam Television for serving cadres; the Policy Department of the Political Bureau shall review the content and publish the obituary in the People's Army Newspaper, the People's Newspaper, and Vietnam Television for retired cadres.

5. Decorations of the funeral stage:

5.1. The background of the stage shall be black with white letters reading "Deeply Mourn Our Comrade" above. ..."

5.2. The altar shall be placed before and centrally below the stage; on the altar shall be a photograph of the deceased (40cm x 30cm), a medal stand, incense urn, and lamp.

5.3. The coffin shall be draped with a military flag (3m x 2m) and placed centrally on the stage, facing towards the stage.

5.4. A small altar shall be set up below the coffin, with an incense urn for representatives from various delegations to pay respects.

6. Representative wreaths, rotating wreaths: representative flowers, rotating wreaths:

6.1. The funeral organizing committee shall prepare 2 to 6 representative wreaths, red ribbons with gold lettering (dimensions 1.2m x 0.2m) from the Central Military Commission Party Committee, the Ministry of National Defense, and the family. If the deceased was a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, a National Assembly delegate, or a member of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, additional representative wreaths from these organizations shall be placed on both sides of the altar.

6.2. The funeral organizing committee shall prepare 15 rotating wreaths, and inform participating units to bring black ribbons with white lettering (dimensions 1.2m x 0.2m) reading "Deeply Mourn Our Comrade," with a smaller line below indicating the name of the organization or unit. . .

7. Use of vehicles during the funeral:

7.1. Use 9 to 12 vehicles, including: 1 vehicle for the military flag, photograph, and medal stand, 1 honor guard vehicle (if there are three services in the honor guard, then use 3 vehicles); 1 flower vehicle, 1 hearse (for towing the coffin for officers who died or passed away at the level of Lieutenant General and above and for whom the Ministry of National Defense organizes the funeral); 3 to 4 passenger cars for the family and representatives of the unit; 2 vehicles for the funeral organizing committee.

7.2. The military flag vehicle, honor guard vehicle, hearse, and flower vehicle (called ceremonial vehicles) shall be provided by the Military Region where the funeral takes place; if it is held in Hanoi, it shall be provided by the Hanoi Military Region. Vehicles for the family and representatives attending the funeral and serving the funeral organizing committee shall be provided by the unit organizing the funeral.

8. Officers on duty, honor guard unit: 1. The Minister, head of a ministry-level agency, head of an agency under the Government, Chairman of the People's Committee of a province or centrally governed city shall be responsible for implementing this Circular. honor guard:

8.1. Officers on duty next to the coffin: 2 officers of the rank of colonel and 4 soldiers.

8.2. Honor guard unit: 24 soldiers, one flag team, one commanding officer. For deceased officers at the general rank belonging to a specific service, the honor guard shall wear the uniform of that service. For the positions of Minister, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chief of the General Staff, Director of the Political Department, the honor guard shall consist of three services, each with 20 soldiers, one commanding officer, and one flag team.

8.3. Officers and soldiers on duty and carrying flowers shall be provided by the unit organizing the funeral; if it is held in Hanoi, it shall be provided by the Hanoi Military Region.

9. Military music support for the funeral: attire funeral service:

9.1. Military music shall provide support for the wake, memorial service, and burial (or cremation) for the positions of Minister, Deputy Minister of National Defense, Chief of the General Staff, Director of the Political Department.

9.2. In other cases, military music shall provide support only for the wake and memorial service; for the burial, a mourning band playing the song "Soul of the Fallen Soldier" shall be used.

10. Other contents: other:

The location of the funeral and burial; the organization of the wake; memorial service; burial shall be carried out according to the regulations on organizing funerals for officials, civil servants, and employees when they pass away, as stipulated in Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP.

C. ORGANIZING FUNERALS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL AT THE RANK OF BRIGADIER GENERAL AND BELOW WHO HAVE DIED OR PASSED AWAY

RANKS FROM MAJOR GENERAL DOWNWARDS FUNERAL, DECEASED

1. Assignment of responsibilities: LIMITATION funeral ceremony:

1.1. The unit managing the military personnel who have died or passed away shall organize the funeral.

1.2. Military personnel who have died or passed away at a military hospital, civilian hospital, while on duty, or at home, if the managing unit is nearby, the unit shall organize the funeral. If the managing unit is far away, the local military authority where the military personnel died or passed away shall organize the funeral together with the hospital and the family.

1.3. Military personnel seconded to Party and State agencies who have died or passed away shall be organized by the military unit managing the personnel, together with the agency where the personnel were seconded.

1.4. Military personnel studying, working, or receiving treatment abroad who have passed away shall be organized according to specific circumstances and instructions from the Embassy (or state representative) in the host country.

2. Responsibilities ||| organization LIMITATION funeral ceremony:

2.1. Unit The Ministry of National Defense shall take the lead in organizing funeral services for officers who have passed away or died while holding the position of Corps Commander, Army Group Commander, Service Branch Commander, Military Academy, Military Officer School under the Ministry of National Defense, and equivalent positions.

2.2. Division-level units, Provincial Military Command, or equivalent shall take the lead in organizing funeral services for officers who have passed away or died at the rank of Senior Colonel, Colonel, or holding the position of Division Commander, Provincial Military Command, and equivalent.

2.3. Regimental-level units, District Military Command, or equivalent shall take the lead in organizing funeral services for officers who have passed away or died at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Major, or holding the position of Regiment Commander, District Military Command, and equivalent.

2.4. Battalion-level units or equivalent shall take the lead in organizing funeral services for officers at the rank of Captain, Battalion Commander, and equivalent positions, non-commissioned officers, and soldiers.

3. Funeral Committee and Funeral Organization Committee: LIMITATION funeral ceremony:

3.1. The number and composition of the Funeral Committee shall be determined based on the military rank, position, and work relationship of the deceased, consisting of from 7 to 11 members. The head of the Funeral Committee shall be the head of the unit organizing the funeral service.

3.2. The Organizing Committee for the funeral service shall be decided by the head of the unit, representing various agencies and units, with the responsibility of assisting the Funeral Committee.

4. Announcing the sad news:

4.1. Sad news shall be published on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper and the People's Army Newspaper in the name of the unit and family for officers who have passed away or died at the rank of Senior Colonel, Colonel, or holding the position of Division Commander, Provincial Military Command, and equivalent; military cadres recognized as "Revolutionary Elders," "Pre-revolutionary Martyrs," Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, People's Teachers, People's Artists, People's Doctors.

4.2. The Political Department of the unit organizing the funeral service shall take the lead in preparing the sad news and eulogy (consulting the opinion of the family); the head of the Funeral Committee shall approve.

4.3. The Cadre Bureau of the General Political Department shall review the content and publish the sad news in the newspaper.

5. Place of organizing funeral service and place of burial:

5.1. For military personnel who pass away or die in a locality, the funeral service and burial shall be organized and conducted at the local cemetery according to regulations.

5.2. If the family wishes to transfer the body for burial at the local cemetery where they reside (or their hometown), the head of the Funeral Committee shall base their decision on state regulations, hospital opinions, and consider accordingly.

6. Decorating the funeral stage:

6.1. Where conditions permit, the decoration of the funeral stage shall be carried out according to the provisions at point 5, section B, part III of this Circular. In other places, the decoration of the funeral stage shall be appropriate and solemn according to specific circumstances.

6.2. The size of the deceased's portrait shall be uniformly (35cm x 25cm).

7. Wreaths of mourning:

The funeral organizing committee shall prepare two representative wreaths (size 0.80m x 1.20m), black ribbon with white letters "In deepest sorrow for comrade..." placed on both sides of the altar; from 10 to 15 wreaths shall be rotated. Agencies and units visiting shall only bring black ribbons (size 1.20m x 0.20m), white letters "In deepest sorrow for comrade...", with a small line below indicating the name of the agency or unit.

8. Using vehicles in funeral services:

8.1. For funeral services of officers at the rank of Colonel, positions from Battalion Commander to Division Commander, Provincial Military Command, and equivalent who have passed away or died, from 7 to 9 vehicles shall be used, including: 1 vehicle with the national flag, 1 vehicle carrying the coffin, 1 honor guard vehicle, 1 flower vehicle, 2 to 3 passenger vehicles for the family and unit staff, 2 vehicles for the funeral organizing committee.

8.2. For funeral services of officers at the rank of Captain, positions from Deputy Battalion Commander and below, and equivalent who have passed away or died, from 5 to 6 vehicles shall be used, including: 1 honor guard vehicle, 1 vehicle carrying the coffin, 1 to 2 passenger vehicles for the family and representatives, unit staff, 1 to 2 vehicles for the funeral organizing committee. Ceremonial vehicles shall be handled by the unit organizing the funeral service; if organized in Hanoi, it shall be handled by the Hanoi Military Region.

9. Officers on duty, honor guard units:

9.1. Officers and soldiers on duty beside the coffin: Rank of Senior Colonel, Colonel: 2 officers at the rank of Colonel and 4 soldiers; rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Major: 2 officers at the rank of Captain and 4 soldiers; rank of Captain and non-commissioned officers, soldiers: 4 soldiers.

9.2. Honor guard unit: Rank of Colonel: 20 soldiers, 1 officer in command and 1 flag team; rank of Captain: 14 soldiers, 1 officer in command; Non-commissioned officers, soldiers: 10 soldiers and 1 officer

9.3. Officers and soldiers on duty, carrying flowers, and honor guard units shall be handled by the unit organizing the funeral service; if organized in Hanoi, it shall be handled by the Hanoi Military Region.

10. Mourning music: Use the mourning music tape of the song "Soul of the Fallen Soldier."

D. ORGANIZING FUNERAL SERVICES FOR NATIONAL DEFENSE WORKERS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY OR DIED

NATIONAL DEFENSE WORKERS AT THE TIME OF DEATH

National defense workers who have passed away or died shall organize funeral services as for civil servants, employees, and officials of the State who have passed away according to the Funeral Regulations issued together with Decree No. 62/2001/ND-CP, and apply the following contents:

1. Organizing funeral services:

National defense workers who have passed away or died shall be organized by the agency or unit directly managing them, together with the family.

2. Announcing the sad news:

2.1. The following categories when passing away or dying shall have their sad news announced on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper and the People's Army Newspaper:

- Civil servants in the national defense sector holding the position of Deputy Director of the Bureau, Deputy Director of the Institute, and equivalent or higher;

- National defense workers with a salary coefficient of 5.76 or higher (according to Government Decree No. 204/2004/ND-CP dated December 14, 2004).

2.2. The Political Department of the unit shall prepare the sad news and eulogy (consulting the opinion of the family); the head of the Funeral Committee shall approve.

2.3. The Cadre Bureau of the General Political Department shall review the content and publish the sad news in the newspaper.

3. Place of organizing funeral services and place of burial:

Implement as stipulated in point 5, section C, part III of this Circular.

4. Decorating the funeral stage, wreaths, funeral vehicles

4.1. Decorating the funeral stage:

- The background of the funeral stage shall be black, with white letters above reading: "In deepest sorrow for comrade..."

- The altar shall be placed before and in the center of the funeral stage, on the altar there shall be an incense burner, lamp, and portrait of the deceased (35cm x 25cm). A smaller altar shall be placed below the coffin, with a bowl of incense for the heads of delegations to light incense.

- The coffin shall be covered with red cloth (3m x 2m) and placed in the center of the funeral stage, the head facing towards the altar.

4.2. Wreaths of mourning:

Implement as stipulated in point 7, section C, part III of this Circular.

4.3. Using vehicles in funeral services:

Depending on specific conditions, the Head of the Funeral Committee considers and decides on the appropriate use of vehicles without exceeding the number of vehicles corresponding to military personnel with the same salary level as stipulated in Point 8, Section C, Part III of this Circular.

4.4. Personnel on duty:

Implement as for military personnel with the same salary level as provided in Clause 9.1, Point 9, Section C, Part III of this Circular. The personnel on duty shall be defense civil servants (or military personnel); there shall be no honor guard unit.

E. FUNERAL ORGANIZATION FOR RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH RANKS FROM MAJOR GENERAL DOWNWARDS

DECEASED WITH RANKS FROM MAJOR GENERAL DOWNWARDS

1. Organizing Unit maintain organization funeral ceremony:

1.1. Local Party Committee and Administration Organizing the Funeral:

- For retired military personnel with ranks from Major General downwards who pass away at home or in a hospital where they reside, the funeral shall be organized by the local Party Committee and Administration, together with the Association of Former Combatants, local organizations, and family members, in accordance with Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP.

- The local military authority has the responsibility to represent the Military in participating in the Funeral Committee; send a delegation to pay respects and perform tasks assigned by the Head of the Funeral Committee.

- The former unit may organize a delegation to pay respects if nearby; otherwise, send wreaths.

* Levels of Military Region and local military authorities participating in the Funeral Committee:

- For officers who previously held command positions at Corps, Armies, Services, Academies under the Ministry of National Defense and equivalent, upon their passing, representatives from the Command of the Military Region or authorized by the Provincial Military Command shall participate in the Funeral Committee.

- For officers with the rank of Major General, Senior Colonel or those who previously held command positions at Divisions, Provincial Military Commands and equivalent, upon their passing, the Provincial Military Command shall send representatives to participate in the Funeral Committee.

- For officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Captain or those who previously held command positions at Brigades, District Military Commands and equivalent, upon their passing, the District Military Command shall send representatives to participate in the Funeral Committee.

- The Village, Town, Ward Military Command shall participate in the Funeral Committee for other positions.

1.2. Former Unit Organizing the Funeral:

- In cases where retired cadres pass away and the funeral is organized at a hospital within the same administrative area (province or city for plains and midlands, district for mountainous provinces) as the former unit, the former managing unit shall organize the funeral together with the local Party Committee, Administration, Association of Former Combatants, hospital, and family members.

- The local military authority shall participate in the Funeral Committee; send a delegation to pay respects and cooperate in performing the tasks of the Funeral Committee.

* Levels of former units near the location organizing the funeral:

- Corps, Armies, Services, Academies, Officer Schools under the Ministry of National Defense and equivalent shall organize the funeral for officers with the rank of Major General, Senior Colonel who previously held command positions at Corps, Armies, Services, Academies, Officer Schools and equivalent in the former managing unit.

- Divisions, Provincial Military Commands or equivalent shall organize the funeral for officers with the rank of Major General, Senior Colonel or officers who previously held command positions at Divisions, Provincial Military Commands and equivalent in the former managing unit.

- Brigades, District Military Commands or equivalent shall organize the funeral for officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Captain or officers who previously held command positions at Brigades, District Military Commands and equivalent in the former managing unit.

- Battalions or equivalent shall organize the funeral for party officials or officers who previously held command positions at Battalion level and below in the former managing unit.

1.3. Local Military Authority Organizing the Funeral:

- When the funeral is organized at a hospital not in the place of residence, if the former unit is far away, the local military authority where the hospital is located shall organize the funeral together with the family.

- The former unit may send a delegation to pay respects if nearby; otherwise, send wreaths.

* Levels of local military authority organizing the funeral:

- Provincial Military Command shall organize the funeral for officers with the rank of Major General, Senior Colonel or officers who previously held command positions at Divisions, Provincial Military Commands and equivalent.

- District Military Command shall organize the funeral for officers with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Captain or officers who previously held command positions at Brigades, Battalions and equivalent.

- Village, Town Military Command shall coordinate with the local Association of Former Combatants to organize the funeral for remaining categories of deceased individuals.

2. Specific Provisions when Organizing LIMITATION the Funeral.

2.1. Funeral Committee:

- Based on the rank, position, contributions, and work relationships of the deceased, decide on the number and composition of the Funeral Committee; the number ranges from 5 to 11 people, including representatives from the Party Committee, Administration, local military authority, former unit, Association of Former Combatants, and hospital.

- The head of the unit organizing the funeral is the Head of the Funeral Committee.

2.2. Announcing the Bereavement Notice:

- The bereavement notice shall be issued in the name of the Party Committee, Administration, local military authority, Association of Former Combatants, former unit, and family, published on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper and the People's Newspaper for officers with the rank of Major General, Senior Colonel or officers who previously held command positions at Divisions, Provincial Military Commands and equivalent; military cadres recognized as "Revolutionary Veterans," "Pre-revolutionaries," Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes, People's Teachers, People's Artists, People's Doctors upon their passing.

- The bereavement notice shall be prepared by the Head of the Funeral Committee (with reference to the opinions of the family), approved by the Funeral Committee, reviewed by the Policy Department, and published in the newspaper.

2.3. Funeral Altar Decoration: broadcasting station:

Where conditions permit (at the funeral hall or office), the decoration of the funeral altar shall be carried out according to the provisions in Point 5, Section B, Part III of this Circular. In other places, decorations shall be made appropriately based on specific conditions, ensuring solemnity.

2.4. Officers on Duty, Honor Guard Units:

- Officers and soldiers on duty and honor guard units shall be undertaken by the local military authority (according to levels). If the former unit organizes the funeral, officers and soldiers on duty shall be undertaken by the former unit.

- In case the funeral is held at the family's home, the ceremony shall be conducted according to local customs; when organizing a memorial service, a standing guard force may be organized by the Association of Former Combatants.

- If the funeral is conducted according to military rites, the coffin shall be covered with a Military Flag; the deceased shall wear either military uniform or civilian clothes.

- In cases where the Party Committee or local authorities preside over funerals in places where conditions permit, the funeral shall be organized according to military rites as if for active-duty officers and officials of the same rank and position upon their death.

2.5. Wreaths:

Shall be prepared by the agencies and units attending the funeral: in cases where the funeral is conducted according to military rites, the Funeral Organizing Committee is encouraged to prepare a number of rotating wreaths and notify the attending units to bring only the ribbon of the wreath.

2.6. Sad music: use the tape of the sad song "Soul of the Fallen Soldier". FUNERAL ORGANIZATION FOR RETIRED NATIONAL DEFENSE WORKERS WHO HAVE PASSED AWAY.

F. The organization of funerals for retired national defense workers who have passed away shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Chapter V of the Regulation on Funeral Organization for Deceased State Officials, Civil Servants, and Employees issued together with Decree No. 62/2001/NĐ-CP.

IV. FUNERAL EXPENSES

1. Expenses for state-level and high-level funerals shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Circular No. 40/2002/TT-BTC dated May 2, 2002 of the Ministry of Finance.

2. Funeral expenses for colonels and below, and national defense workers who died in the line of duty, from retirement (including both active-duty and retired), shall be paid by the Social Insurance Fund at eight times the minimum wage as stipulated by current regulations.

Annually, the Ministry of National Defense allocates a budget and fuel to support the agencies and units responsible for and participating in funeral organization, in accordance with the level of authority and military funeral rites.

1. Based on the provisions of this Circular, the Ministry of National Defense shall guide and ensure the budget and fuel quota for annual funeral services;

Honor guards, officers on duty, military bands, funeral procession vehicles, and funeral formation vehicles at the National Memorial Service and state-level funerals shall be conducted according to military rites;

V. IMPLEMENTATION

3. The Chairman of the People's Committee of provinces and centrally-administered cities, the Central Association of Former Combatants of Vietnam shall direct the implementation of this Circular within their respective functions and jurisdictions;

2. 4. This Circular shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and shall replace all previous regulations issued by the Ministry of National Defense regarding funeral organization in the Vietnam People's Army;

Any difficulties encountered during implementation shall be reported to the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Interior for consideration and resolution./.

4. This Circular takes effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette and replaces previous regulations issued by the Ministry of National Defense regarding funeral organization in the Vietnam People's Army;

In the course of implementation, if there are any difficulties, agencies, units, and localities shall report to the Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Interior for consideration and resolution./.