Circular No. 86/2016/TT-BQP detailing and guiding the organization of funerals for military personnel, defense civil servants, and people working in secretarial services under the management of the Ministry of National Defense.

CIRCULAR

Regulations and guidelines for organizing funerals for military personnel, defense workers, and civil servants; individuals engaged in confidential work managed by the Ministry of National Defense

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Pursuant to Decree No. 35/2013/NĐ-CP dated April 22, 2013, of the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of National Defense;

Pursuant to Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 17, 2012 of the Government on organizing funerals for cadres, civil servants, and public officials;

Considering the proposal of the Director of the Political General Department;

The Minister of National Defense issues this Circular regulating and guiding the organization of funerals for military personnel, defense workers, and civil servants; individuals engaged in confidential work managed by the Ministry of National Defense who have sacrificed or passed away; participation in organizing funerals for the aforementioned subjects who have retired and passed away; responsibilities of agencies and units in organizing funerals.

PART I
GENERAL PROVISIONS

This Circular regulates and guides the organization of funerals for military personnel, defense workers, and civil servants; individuals engaged in confidential work managed by the Ministry of National Defense who have sacrificed or passed away; participation in organizing funerals for the aforementioned subjects who have retired and passed away; responsibilities of agencies and units in organizing funerals.

1. This Circular applies to:

a) Individuals currently employed who sacrifice or pass away, including:

- Military personnel, defense workers, and civil servants;

- Individuals engaged in confidential work managed by the Ministry of National Defense;

- Military reservists mobilized during concentrated training, performing military and national defense tasks.

b) The aforementioned subjects at Point a who have retired and passed away.

2. This Circular does not apply to the aforementioned subjects in Clause 1 that died due to self-harm, suicide, or violations of state laws or military discipline with the form of stripping military titles or dismissing from service.

Article 3. Principles for organizing funerals

1. Organizing funerals for those who have sacrificed or passed away reflects the gratitude, respect, and recognition of the Party, State, and Military for their contributions and dedication during their service, revolutionary activities, construction, combat, and growth of the Military, for the cause of building and defending the country.

2. Funerals must be solemn, civilized, inheriting the traditional cultural beauty of the nation, economical, suitable to economic conditions; gradually eliminating outdated customs; avoiding ostentation and waste. Encouraging funeral arrangements through cremation, electric cremation, or burial in hometowns.

Article 4. Forms and rituals for organizing funerals in the Military

1. Forms of organizing funerals include:

a) State Funeral;

b) High-Level Funeral;

c) Funeral for military personnel with ranks from Colonel downwards;

d) Funeral for defense workers and civil servants.

2. Rituals for organizing funerals

a) Rituals for organizing funerals include: Procedures for organizing funerals, organizing forces and means to serve funerals according to this Circular.

b) Rituals for organizing funerals in the Military are implemented for:

- Individuals who sacrifice or pass away as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 2 of this Circular, organized funerals at military hospital funeral homes or at agencies and units;

- Officers at the General rank (including retired) who sacrifice or pass away, organized funerals at home, applied according to the rituals for organizing funerals in the Military;

- Individuals who sacrifice or pass away with ranks from Colonel downwards when organizing funerals at home do not implement the Military funeral rituals.

Article 5. Regulations on attire for funerals hosted by the Military

1. For military personnel who sacrifice or pass away

Attire for embalming includes winter small dress uniform for officers and professional military personnel, without hats; non-commissioned officers and soldiers wear parade uniforms according to the Military Management Order; defense workers, retired military personnel wear according to the wishes of the deceased's relatives.

2. For the Funeral Committee, the Funeral Organization Committee

a) National Funeral, State Funeral, High-Level Funeral: Officers and professional military personnel participating as members of the Funeral Committee, Funeral Organization Committee wear winter small dress uniform, with hats;

b) Other forms of funerals: Officers and professional military personnel participating as members of the Funeral Organization Committee wear small dress uniform according to the season, with hats;

c) Representatives from agencies and units outside the Military participating as members of the Funeral Committee, Funeral Organization Committee wear formal and serious attire.

3. For the mourning delegation

a) When paying respects at a National Funeral, State Funeral: Officers and professional military personnel wear winter small dress uniform, with hats; non-commissioned officers and soldiers wear parade uniforms, with hats;

b) When paying respects at a High-Level Funeral: Officers and professional military personnel wear small dress uniform according to the season, with hats;

c) Other forms of funerals: Officers and professional military personnel; non-commissioned officers and soldiers wear regular uniforms according to the season, with hats.

1. In the event of death during study within the country, the educational institution where the individual studied shall take the lead and coordinate with the managing unit to organize the funeral.

2. In the event of death while on temporary assignment to Party or State agencies, the managing unit before the assignment shall take the lead and coordinate with the agency or unit where the individual performed the temporary duty to organize the funeral.

3. In the event of death while performing international duties, studying, working, or receiving medical treatment abroad, the managing unit shall coordinate with the Department of Foreign Affairs under the Ministry of National Defense, the Embassy, or the diplomatic mission in the host country to organize the funeral.

4. In the event of death while traveling on official business or resting at home, the managing unit shall take the lead and coordinate with the local military authority to organize the funeral according to the provisions set forth in Article 17 of this Circular. If the managing unit is more than 100 kilometers away from the place of death (measured via national highways or provincial roads), then the local military authority where the individual died shall take the lead and coordinate with the managing unit to organize the funeral.

5. In the event of death during wartime, if it is not possible to organize the funeral according to the provisions of this Circular, the death shall be reported and a Memorial Service shall be organized locally.

6. In cases where multiple individuals die while performing training, rehearsal, combat readiness, defense, or security duties, or if the deceased displayed acts of bravery, the head of the unit directly subordinate to the Central Military Commission may decide to hold a higher-level funeral ceremony to promote education and set examples.

7. For retired military personnel who have passed away, the funeral shall be organized at the military hospital's funeral hall by the military unit in accordance with military funeral rituals.

8. The regulations regarding the Funeral Procession, Burial Ceremony; the time for organizing the funeral; the specifications of the coffin; mourning bands; and the regulations on scattering paper money shall be implemented according to the provisions set forth in Article 4 of Decree No. 105/2012/ND-CP dated December 17, 2012 of the Government on the organization of funerals for civil servants and public officials (hereinafter referred to as Decree No. 105/2012/ND-CP).

Chapter II
NATIONAL FUNERAL

Civil servants of the Military currently holding office or having ceased to hold office who held one of the following positions or ranks at the time of their death shall have funerals organized at the State level, including:

1. Member of the Politburo, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam;

2. Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly;

3. General of the People's Army of Vietnam;

4. Senior General of the People's Army of Vietnam who were revolutionary activists prior to August 1945.

Article 8. Organization of the Funeral

2. The Political Bureau shall coordinate with the Party's Committees to prepare the necessary documents to report to the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party according to the regulations; take the lead in drafting the plan, assist the Head of the Funeral Committee and the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee in notifying and convening relevant agencies and units to implement tasks according to the plan; oversee and manage the process of organizing the funeral.

3. Officers standing guard beside the casket during the time when delegations from the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Military Commission - Ministry of National Defense come to pay respects and during the Memorial Service shall consist of four (4) officers of general rank and four (4) honor guardsmen. During the remaining time of the visitation period, there shall be four (4) officers of major general rank and four (4) honor guardsmen.

Chapter III
FUNERAL FOR HIGH-RANKING PERSONNEL

Active-duty military officials, those who have retired from their positions, or those who have retired and belong to any of the following titles or military ranks, if they pass away, will be organized High-Level Funeral Services (unless they fall under State-level funeral services), including:

1. Minister of National Defense, Director of the Political Bureau General Department; Chief of the General Staff; Deputy Minister of National Defense; Lieutenant General, Admiral of the Navy;

2. Member of the Central Committee of the Party (including alternate members), Member of the Central Military Commission;

3. Deputy Chief of the General Staff; Deputy Director of the Political Bureau General Department;

4. Directors, Political Commissars, Deputy Directors, Deputy Political Commissars of the Departments; Department Chiefs, Political Commissars, Deputy Department Chiefs, Deputy Political Commissars of Department II;

5. Commanders, Political Commissars, Deputy Commanders, Deputy Political Commissars of Military Regions, Corps, Border Guard Forces;

6. Directors, Political Commissars, Deputy Directors, Deputy Political Commissars of the National Defense Academy;

7. Major General, Deputy Admiral of the Navy, Brigadier General, Rear Admiral of the Navy;

8. Cadres who engaged in revolutionary activities before January 1, 1945 (revolutionary old-timers), cadres who worked in the South throughout the period of resistance against America (1954-1975) and were awarded the First-Class Independence Medal or higher; outstanding social, cultural, and scientific workers (awarded the Ho Chi Minh Award - individual award) and were awarded the First-Class Independence Medal or higher; outstanding social, cultural, and scientific workers (awarded the Ho Chi Minh Award - individual award) who are People's Armed Forces Hero, Labor Hero.

Article 10. Levels of Authority for Organizing Funeral Services

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

Article 11. Funeral Service Organizing Committee

1. Funeral Services organized by the Ministry of National Defense

a) The Funeral Service Organizing Committee consists of between ten (10) and fifteen (15) members, established by the Minister of National Defense, including: Heads of the Ministry of National Defense, the General Staff, the Political Bureau General Department, and various Departments, agencies, units, hometowns or places of residence, and representatives of the family of the deceased.

Depending on the title of the deceased, the Head of the Funeral Service Organizing Committee is either the Minister or the Director of the Political Bureau General Department, or a Deputy Minister of National Defense who is a member of the Central Military Commission Standing Committee.

b) The Funeral Service Organizing Committee is responsible for directing and managing the implementation of tasks by the member agencies of the Funeral Service Organizing Committee according to regulations.

c) The Funeral Service Organizing Committee decides to establish a working group consisting of representatives from the General Staff, the Political Bureau General Department, various Departments, agencies, units, hometowns or places of residence, and representatives of the family of the deceased, with the task of assisting the Funeral Service Organizing Committee in providing support for the Funeral Service.

2. Funeral Services organized by units directly under the Central Military Commission

a) The Funeral Service Organizing Committee consists of between ten (10) and fifteen (15) members, established by the Head of the unit organizing the Funeral Service, including functional agencies, units, hometowns or places of residence, and the family of the deceased; the Head of the Funeral Service Organizing Committee is a member of the leadership of the unit.

b) If the deceased is a Member of the Central Committee of the Party, a Member of the Central Military Commission, the Head of the Funeral Service Organizing Committee is a Deputy Minister of National Defense - a member of the Central Military Commission Standing Committee.

Article 12. Standing Name and Announcing Bereavement Notice

1. Name for Announcing Bereavement Notice

Based on the position of the deceased, the bereavement notice shall be announced under the name of all or some agencies, units, localities, and family:

a) The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam; the Central Military Commission - Ministry of National Defense (in cases where the deceased is a member or alternate member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party; a member of the Central Military Commission);

b) The National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (in cases where the deceased is a member of the National Assembly);

c) The Ministry of National Defense; the unit that has directly managed or is currently managing the deceased;

d) Local party committees, administrative authorities, military agencies, mass organizations at the place of origin or residence.

2. Regulations on Announcing Bereavement Notice on Newspapers and Radio Stations

a) Announcing bereavement notices on newspapers and radio stations shall be carried out in accordance with Article 35 of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP;

- For those who died or passed away as specified in Clause 1, 2, 3 of Article 9 of this Circular: Bereavement notice, accompanied by a photo (4 cm x 6 cm), a brief biography; propaganda about the life story, career, and dedication process of the deceased, showing documentary films (if available);

- For those who died or passed away as specified in Clause 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 of Article 9 of this Circular: Bereavement notice, accompanied by a photo (4 cm x 6 cm), a brief biography; propaganda about the dedication process of the deceased.

3. Preparing Bereavement Notice, Brief Biography, Eulogy; Content Review

a) The agency or unit responsible for organizing the funeral prepares a plan to organize the funeral, including a brief biography, bereavement notice, eulogy; seeks the opinion of the family of the deceased before submitting to the Head of the Funeral Organizing Board for approval;

b) Content review of the bereavement notice: For those who died or passed away while working, the personnel management agency (Cadre Department, Military Affairs Department) reviews; for those who retired and passed away, the Policy Department reviews;

The reviewing agency is responsible for transferring the content to newspapers and radio stations in accordance with Clause 2 of this Article.

Article 13. Decorations for the Funeral Platform

Implemented in accordance with Article 40 of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP and the following contents:

1. Photo of the deceased placed in a frame measuring 30 cm x 40 cm, with a small black ribbon diagonally crossing the upper left corner of the frame when viewed from below;

2. Medal stand ensuring all forms of awards received by the deceased;

3. Coffin covered with the Military Flag.

Article 14. Funeral Service Personnel

1. Funeral Services organized by the Ministry of National Defense

a) Officers standing guard beside the coffin during the time when delegations from the Central Committee of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, the President, the Government, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Military Commission - Ministry of National Defense come to pay respects and during the Memorial Service period are two officers of General rank, two officers of Colonel rank, and four soldiers. During the remaining visitation period, it is four officers of Colonel and Senior Colonel ranks, and four soldiers;

Officers of General rank standing guard beside the coffin are assigned by the Head of the Funeral Organizing Board to cadres from relevant agencies and units to implement;

b) Honor Guard Unit includes: one commander, one flag detail, representatives from three forces: Army, Navy, and Air Force. Each group consists of twenty soldiers, one group leader;

2. Funeral organized by a unit subordinate to the Central Military Commission

a) Officers standing guard beside the coffin are four officers of Colonel and Senior Colonel ranks, and four soldiers. The Head of the Funeral Organizing Board assigns cadres from relevant agencies and units to implement;

b) Honor Guard Unit includes: twenty-four soldiers, one officer commander, and one flag detail; if the deceased belongs to a certain military branch, the honor guard unit wears the ceremonial uniform of that branch;

3. Honor Guard Unit, Officers, and Soldiers Standing Guard Beside the Coffin

a) Funerals held at the Military Hospital Funeral Home in Hanoi are organized by the Military Ceremonial Brigade; funerals held at agencies and units in Hanoi are organized by the main unit in coordination with the Military Ceremonial Brigade;

b) Funerals held at Military Hospital Funeral Homes in Ho Chi Minh City are organized by Military Region 7; funerals held at agencies and units in Ho Chi Minh City are organized by the main unit in coordination with Military Region 7.

Article 15. Funeral Service Vehicles

A hearse-pulling vehicle shall be used for the positions and ranks of military officers specified in Clauses 1, 2, and 3 of Article 9 of this Circular who have died or passed away and are being buried, cremated, or electrically cremated within the territory of Hanoi City and Ho Chi Minh City; a hearse shall be used for the remaining positions and ranks of military officers specified in Article 9 of this Circular who have died or passed away. In special cases, the Minister of National Defense shall examine and decide.

For funerals organized by the Ministry of National Defense, there shall be 02 (two) information vehicles, 01 (one) ambulance, and 01 (one) spare vehicle; simultaneously, a lead vehicle or coordination with local police to arrange a police escort vehicle.

2. Military flag vehicles, honor guard unit vehicles, hearses or hearse-pulling vehicles, and flower-carrying vehicles (referred to as ceremonial vehicles) are regulated as follows:

a) For funerals organized at military hospitals' funeral homes in Hanoi City, ceremonial vehicles shall be carried out by the Military Ceremonial Corps; in agencies and units in Hanoi City, they shall be coordinated and implemented by the organizing agency in conjunction with the Military Ceremonial Corps.

b) For funerals organized at military hospitals' funeral homes in Ho Chi Minh City, ceremonial vehicles shall be carried out by Military Region 7; in agencies and units in Ho Chi Minh City, they shall be coordinated and implemented by the organizing agency in conjunction with Military Region 7.

c) Outside the areas specified in Points a and b of this Clause, they shall be coordinated and implemented by the organizing agency in conjunction with the local military region.

3. Vehicles serving the Funeral Organizing Committee, family members, and mourners shall be carried out by the organizing agency.

Article 16. Other Contents

1. Military music for mourning services, memorial services, and burial ceremonies shall be conducted according to the provisions of Articles 42, 43, and 45 of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP.

3. Funerals for deceased generals organized at their families' residences in Hanoi City shall be conducted according to military protocol, with the Chief of the General Staff deciding on the mobilization of forces and service vehicles; in other locations, it shall be decided by the head of the affiliated unit under the Central Military Commission.

Chapter IV
FUNERALS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH RANKS FROM MAJOR GENERAL DOWNWARDS AND DEFENSE WORKERS IN SERVICE

Section 1
FUNERALS FOR MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH RANKS FROM MAJOR GENERAL DOWNWARDS

Article 17. Levels of Funeral Organization

1. Units directly under the Central Military Commission shall organize funerals for military personnel who have died or passed away while holding command positions in units directly under the Ministry of National Defense, excluding those specified in Article 9 of this Circular.

2. Divisions, provincial Military Commands, provincial Border Guard Commands, Naval Zone Commands, Coast Guard Zone Commands, departments, bureaus, institutes, and equivalent levels shall organize funerals for military personnel who have died or passed away at the rank of Major General or officers and officials currently holding or previously held command positions at their own level.

3. Brigades, regiments, district People's Militia Command, and equivalent levels shall organize funerals for military personnel who have died or passed away at the rank of Senior Colonel or holding command positions at brigades, regiments, district People's Militia Command, and equivalent levels; they shall also organize or review and decide on the level of funeral organization for remaining personnel.

4. Battalions and equivalent levels shall organize funerals for non-commissioned officers and soldiers.

Article 18. Funeral Organization for Other Subjects

1. Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Labor Heroes (excluding those organized for High-Level Funerals), People's Teachers, People's Doctors, People's Artists, National Assembly Deputies with military ranks below Colonel who have died or passed away shall be organized funerals similar to those for senior colonels.

2. Personnel who have died or passed away with leadership position allowances or equivalent military ranks shall be organized funerals similar to those for military personnel with corresponding ranks and positions.

3. Military reservists who die or pass away during concentrated training or performing national defense tasks shall be organized funerals similar to those for military personnel with the same ranks and positions while in service.

Article 19. Funeral Organizing Committee

The Funeral Organizing Committee shall consist of from seven (7) to ten (10) members, decided by the Head of the unit organizing the funeral; the Chairman of the Funeral Organizing Committee is the Head of the unit managing the deceased person, responsible for directing and overseeing all aspects of the funeral organization.

Article 20. Preparing sad news, eulogies, and publishing sad news on information media about the funeral

1. Preparing sad news and eulogies

a) The political agency of the unit organizing the funeral prepares the sad news and eulogies, consulting with the family before submitting them to the Chairman of the Funeral Organizing Committee.

b) The Personnel Department and the Military Service Department review the content of the sad news and transfer it to newspapers and radio stations according to their management levels.

2. Announcing and publishing sad news

a) Publishing sad news on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper: Heroes of the People's Armed Forces, Heroes of Labor, People's Artists, People's Teachers, People's Doctors, individuals who have received the Ho Chi Minh Award in Literature and Art and Science and Technology, Party members awarded the 30-year Party Membership Medal or higher.

b) Publishing sad news on the People's Army Newspaper: Officers at the rank of Senior Colonel, Colonel or holding command positions at division level and equivalent; military cadres under Point a above.

Article 21. Funeral service forces; music during the funeral

1. Officers and soldiers standing guard beside the coffin

a) For military personnel who died or passed away at the rank of Senior Colonel, Colonel or holding command positions at brigade level and equivalent: two (2) officers at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and four (4) soldiers standing guard beside the coffin.

b) For military personnel who died or passed away at the rank of Major, Lieutenant Colonel or holding command positions at battalion level and equivalent: two (2) officers at the rank of Captain and four (4) soldiers standing guard beside the coffin.

c) For military personnel who died or passed away at the rank of Captain or lower: four (4) soldiers standing guard beside the coffin.

2. Honor Guard Unit

a) For military personnel who died or passed away at the rank of Senior Colonel, Colonel or holding command positions at brigade level and equivalent: the honor guard unit consists of twenty (20) soldiers, one (1) officer commander, and one (1) flag team.

b) For military personnel who died or passed away at the rank of Major, Lieutenant Colonel or holding command positions at battalion level and equivalent: the honor guard unit consists of sixteen (16) soldiers, one (1) officer commander, and one (1) flag team.

c) For military personnel who died or passed away at the rank of Captain: the honor guard unit consists of twelve (12) soldiers, one (1) officer commander, and one (1) flag team.

d) For military personnel who died or passed away at the rank of Sergeant or soldier: the honor guard unit consists of eight (8) soldiers and one (1) officer commander.

3. Classification of funeral service forces

a) Funerals organized at military hospitals' funeral houses in Hanoi shall be carried out by the organizing unit in coordination with the Military Ceremonial Corps.

b) Funerals organized at military hospitals' funeral houses in Ho Chi Minh City shall be carried out by the organizing unit in coordination with Military Region 7.

c) Funerals organized outside the aforementioned areas shall be carried out by the organizing unit.

4. Music during the funeral: Use sad music tapes, the song "Soul of the Fallen Soldier," and the Funeral March.

Article 22. Funeral Service Vehicles

1. Military personnel who have died or retired with the rank of Major General, Senior Colonel or held command positions at the Brigade level and equivalent (excluding high-level funeral organization positions) shall be provided with from 09 (nine) to 10 (ten) service vehicles, including: 01 (one) military flag vehicle; 01 (one) honor guard vehicle; 01 (one) flower-laden vehicle; 01 (one) coffin-carrying vehicle; 03 (three) to 04 (four) vehicles for accompanying mourners; 02 (two) vehicles for the Funeral Organization Committee.

2. Military personnel who have died or retired with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, Major or held command positions at the Battalion level and equivalent shall be provided with from 07 (seven) to 08 (eight) service vehicles, including: 01 (one) military flag vehicle; 01 (one) honor guard vehicle; 01 (one) flower-laden vehicle; 01 coffin-carrying vehicle; 01 (one) to 02 (two) vehicles for accompanying mourners; 02 (two) vehicles for the Funeral Organization Committee.

3. Military personnel who have died or retired with the rank of Captain and below shall be provided with from 05 (five) to 06 (six) service vehicles, including: 01 (one) vehicle for the Funeral Organization Committee; 01 (one) honor guard vehicle; 01 (one) flower-laden vehicle; 01 (one) coffin-carrying vehicle; 01 (one) to 02 (two) vehicles for family members and comrades accompanying the funeral procession.

4. Classification of Funeral Service Vehicle Usage

a) Funerals organized at funeral homes within the territory of Hanoi City shall be coordinated by the unit primarily responsible for organizing the funeral in conjunction with the Military Ceremonial Corps.

b) Funerals organized at funeral homes within the territory of Ho Chi Minh City shall be coordinated by the unit primarily responsible for organizing the funeral in conjunction with Military Region 7.

c) For funerals organized outside the aforementioned areas, funeral service vehicles shall be arranged by the unit primarily responsible for organizing the funeral.

Article 23. Other Funeral Content

The location of the funeral ceremony; burial site; stage decoration; wreaths; mourning ceremony; memorial ceremony; funeral procession; interment ceremony shall be carried out according to the provisions of Articles 51, 52, 53, 54, and Article 55 of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP and the regulations stipulated in this Circular. In special cases, the decision shall be made by the Minister of National Defense.

Section 2
FUNERALS FOR WORKERS AND OFFICIALS OF THE NATIONAL DEFENSE

Article 24. Classification of Funeral Organization

1. Workers and officials of the national defense who have died or retired shall organize funerals in accordance with the regulations for civil servants and officials of the state who have passed away as stipulated in Chapter V of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP.

2. Workers and officials of the national defense whose salary coefficient corresponds to that of an officer of a certain rank shall be classified for funeral organization in accordance with the regulations for officers of that rank as stipulated in Article 17 of this Circular.

Article 25. Preparing Bereavement Notices, Eulogies, Announcements, and Publishing Bereavement Notices

1. Preparing sad news and eulogies

a) The political office of the unit primarily responsible for organizing the funeral shall prepare bereavement notices and eulogies, consulting with the family beforehand and submitting them to the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee for approval.

b) The Personnel Department and the Military Service Department review the content of the sad news and transfer it to newspapers and radio stations according to their management levels.

2. Announcing and publishing sad news

a) Announcing and publishing bereavement notices on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper shall be conducted as specified in Point a, Clause 2, Article 20 of this Circular.

b) Announcing and publishing bereavement notices on the People's Army Newspaper: Individuals who have died or retired with a salary coefficient of 5.76 (as per Government Decree No. 204/2004/NĐ-CP dated December 14, 2004 on the salary system for civil servants, officials, and armed forces) and equivalent or higher; individuals falling under Point a, Clause 2 of this Article.

Chapter V
FUNERALS FOR RETIRED MILITARY PERSONNEL WITH RANKS FROM MAJOR GENERAL DOWNWARDS

Article 26. Military Units Primarily Responsible, Cooperating with Local Party Committees, Authorities, and Families to Organize Funerals

When retired military personnel pass away, funerals shall be organized at military hospital funeral homes; based on the specific circumstances of the deceased and their former managing unit before retirement or local military authority, the funeral shall be organized in cooperation with local party committees, authorities, and families, specifically as follows:

1. The former managing unit (former unit) primarily responsible

a) Object:

- Retired military personnel who have passed away with the rank of Major General or previously held leadership or command positions at the department, bureau, division, provincial Military Command, Provincial Border Guard Command, and equivalent levels or higher;

- Retired military personnel who have passed away and were pre-revolutionary cadres; cadres who participated in the resistance against France and America and were awarded the Independence Order First Class or the Military Merit Order First Class; Heroes of the People's Armed Forces; Labor Heroes; National Assembly Deputies; People's Teachers; People's Doctors; People's Artists; Professors.

b) Conditions: The funeral shall be organized at a military hospital funeral home within the same province (with the former unit) or not within the same province but within 100 kilometers in plains and midlands and within 50 kilometers in mountainous areas along national highways and provincial roads.

c) Classification of primary responsibility: Implemented according to the provisions of Clauses 1 and 2 of Article 17 of this Circular.

Based on the position held before retirement of the deceased, the former unit shall determine the composition of the Funeral Organization Committee and the Head of the Funeral Organization Committee appropriately.

2. Local military authority primarily responsible

a) Object:

- Retired military personnel who have passed away as stipulated in Point a, Clause 1 of this Article residing in areas far from their former units or where the former units have been dissolved;

- Retired military personnel who have passed away belonging to other categories residing in the area.

b) Conditions: The funeral shall be organized at a military hospital funeral home within the same province.

c) Classification of primary responsibility

- The Hanoi Capital Military Command, Provincial Military Command, and family shall primarily be responsible for organizing the funeral for the category of individuals specified in Point a, Clause 1 of this Article residing in areas far from their former units or where the former units have been dissolved, while also notifying the former unit to pay respects or send wreaths.

- The County Military Command and family shall primarily be responsible for organizing the funeral for retired military personnel with ranks from Senior Colonel downwards, while the former unit shall participate in the Funeral Organization Committee, pay respects, or send wreaths.

3. Funeral Rituals for Retired Military Cadres: If conditions permit, the funeral rituals shall be carried out similarly to those for active-duty military personnel who have died or retired with the same rank and position.

Article 27. Military Units Participate in Funeral Organization

For military personnel, defense workers, and defense officials who have retired and passed away, not falling under the cases stipulated in Article 26 of this Circular, the funeral shall be organized by local party committees and authorities in coordination with the family, in accordance with the provisions of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP. Military units shall participate in organizing the funeral as follows:

1. The former unit (if nearby) and the local military authority shall dispatch cadres to join the Funeral Organizing Committee and coordinate in organizing the funeral.

2. Content of Participation in Organizing the Funeral

- If the funeral is held at a funeral home, under appropriate conditions, some contents may be implemented according to military rituals, such as: Honor guard, watch over the coffin, honor guard unit, which shall be advised, proposed, and coordinated by the local military authority with relevant agencies and units to implement; ensuring suitability with specific circumstances and capabilities of each agency, unit, and locality.

- If the funeral is held at the family's residence: Follow local customs; the local military authority and the former unit (if nearby) shall organize a condolence delegation.

1. Publishing mourning announcements on page 8 of the People's Army Newspaper shall be carried out in accordance with Point a Clause 2 Article 20 of this Circular. Publishing mourning announcements in the People's Army Newspaper shall be carried out in accordance with Point b Clause 2 Article 20 of this Circular.

The Policy Department shall review the content of the mourning announcement.

2. Other contents shall be carried out in accordance with Chapter V of Decree No. 105/2012/NĐ-CP.

Chapter VI
IMPLEMENTATION

Article 29. General Political Department

Direct the implementation of this Circular; simultaneously, direct agencies to perform their tasks according to their functions as follows:

1. Policy Department

a) Take the lead, supervise, and inspect the implementation of regulations on funeral organization as stipulated in this Circular; direct, guide, and resolve difficulties and issues arising during the funeral organization for retired military personnel who have passed away;

b) Take the lead in proposing and coordinating the implementation of contents related to state-level funerals and high-level funerals within the military for retired military cadres who have passed away;

c) Prepare the budget and fuel expenses to ensure service for the funeral of retired military personnel in accordance with this Circular.

2. Cadre Department

a) Direct the organization of funerals for individuals currently working who have sacrificed or passed away within its jurisdiction;

b) Take the lead in proposing and coordinating the implementation of contents related to state-level funerals and high-level funerals hosted by the Ministry of National Defense for current working military cadres who have sacrificed or passed away.

3. Propaganda Department

Direct activities of reporting, writing articles, filming documentaries, and publicizing about funerals and those who have sacrificed or passed away, in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

4. Military Security Protection Department

Take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and units to implement regulations on security assurance during funeral organization; directly direct and ensure security and safety during state-level funerals and high-level funerals hosted by the Ministry of National Defense according to assigned functions and tasks.

5. People's Army Newspaper and Military Radio-Television Center

Coordinate in promoting and disseminating the content of this Circular; carry out the publication and broadcasting of mourning announcements; write articles or produce documentary films about the life and career of those who have sacrificed or passed away in accordance with the provisions of this Circular.

Article 30. General Staff Headquarters

Direct the implementation of this Circular; simultaneously, direct agencies to perform their tasks according to their functions as follows:

1. Training Department

a) Specify in detail the rituals in various forms of funeral organization; the sequence of steps in the Wake, Memorial Service, Funeral Procession, and Burial (or cremation, incineration); organize forces, ensure means, equipment, and vehicle formations in various forms of funeral organization; define the scope of ceremonial force usage when transporting funerals outside the administrative boundaries of Hanoi City and Ho Chi Minh City.

b) Coordinate with relevant agencies and units to manage forces and means serving during the organization of State-level Funerals and High-level Funerals chaired by the Ministry of National Defense.

2. Military Forces Department

a) Direct the organization of funerals for individuals working in the military who have died or passed away within its management authority.

b) Study and propose the organization of funeral service personnel according to the provisions of this Circular.

3. Military Ceremonial Corps and Military Ceremonial Team under the 7th Military Region

Organize forces, ensure specialized means; implement rituals and ceremonies in various forms of funeral organization according to the provisions of this Circular.

Annually, direct and guide the preparation of budgets and classification of fuel support for funeral organizations for agencies and units; implement related contents according to their functions.

Article 32. Technical General Department

Direct technical support work for automobiles and motorcycles serving State-level Funerals, High-level Funerals chaired by the Ministry of National Defense, and other related contents according to their functions.

Article 33. Financial Department/Military

Annually, direct agencies and units to prepare budgets, classify funds, inspect, guide the use, and settle accounts for financial support for funeral organizations according to the provisions of this Circular.

Article 34. Units under the Central Military Commission

Implement and organize the execution of this Circular. Annually, direct agencies and units under their authority to prepare budget funds and fuel to ensure funeral organizations and settle accounts according to regulations.

Article 35. Financial Support and Fuel Assurance

1. Financial Support for State-level Funerals and High-level Funerals

The financial support for State-level Funerals and High-level Funerals in the Military as stipulated in Chapters II and III of this Circular shall be implemented according to Circular No. 74/2013/TT-BTC dated June 4, 2013, issued by the Ministry of Finance, which specifies the expenses and procedures for issuing and settling state budget accounts for National Mourning Services, State-level Funerals, and High-level Funerals.

3. Annually, The Ministry Of National Defense Will Allocate A Certain Amount Of Fuel To Support Agencies And Units In Charge Of And Participating In Funeral Organizations, In Accordance With The Classification And Rituals Of Funeral Organization In The Military.

Chapter VII
IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 36. Effective Date

1. This Circular Takes Effect From August 5, 2016, Replacing Joint Circular No. 114/2005/TTLT-BQP-BNV Dated August 1, 2005, Issued By The Ministry Of National Defense - Ministry Of Home Affairs On Guidelines For The Implementation Of Funeral Organization For Military Personnel And Civil Servants In The Defense Sector Who Have Died Or Passed Away.

Article 37. Responsibility for Implementation

2. During the implementation process, if there are any difficulties, agencies and units shall promptly reflect them to the Ministry of National Defense (through the Military Health Department/MoND) for consideration and resolution./.

2. During The Process Of Implementation, If There Are Any Difficulties, Agencies And Units Should Report To The Ministry Of National Defense (Through The Policy Department Of The Political General Department) For Consideration And Resolution./.