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Loss of Life Information for Families

The Forest Service aims to provide immediate assistance and support to the families of employees who die. This web page provides basic information for families. In the event of a tragedy, the family liaison will provide specific information. 

Notification

When an employee becomes seriously ill, is injured, or dies in the line of duty, an agency representative will conduct notification as quickly as possible, based on the employee’s wishes in his or her “Emergency Notification Information Worksheet.” If the employee has no “Emergency Notification Information Worksheet,” the primary next of kin is generally considered in the following order:

  • Spouse

  • Parents

  • Adult children

  • Brothers and sisters, including step and adopted siblings

  • Grandparents

  • Persons granted legal custody of the individual by a court decree or statutory provision

  • Other relatives, according to civil laws

Unfortunately, fiancés and significant others, whether or not they live with the injured or deceased person, are not legal next of kin. If the injured or deceased has a fiancé or significant other, the primary next of kin will decide whether to notify that person directly or have the notification officer do it.

Medical Examiner Autopsy

When an employee dies in the line of duty, an autopsy may be required for an investigation or by the jurisdiction where the fatality occurred. Local governments often require autopsies when someone dies without medical professionals in attendance. Some States require an autopsy before allowing the family to transport a deceased person out of the State or county. An autopsy for a work-related death may also be required for the family to receive death benefits or Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (firefighter autopsy protocol). If a work-related autopsy is required, the family liaison will work on the details with Human Resources Management-Worker’s Compensation and with the family.

The Dignified Transportation of Remains

The Forest Service handles the transport of the deceased’s remains with the reverence, care, priority, and dignity befitting the deceased and the circumstances. Consistent with applicable laws and regulations, the Forest Service recovers, identifies, and returns an employee’s remains to his or her family as quickly as possible. The Forest Service may honor deceased employees with a procession to transfer the remains of employees from the aircraft to a waiting vehicle, and then to the funeral, mortuary, or related ceremony.

Funeral and Memorial Ceremonies

A funeral is an organized event to honor and memorialize a fallen employee. It may or may not include worship or a religious ceremony. The funeral service is for the family; they direct the planning. The Forest Service cannot use appropriations to provide monetary support for funeral services.
A memorial ceremony may be independent of the formal funeral and may be a completely different event directed by the Forest Service or another agency. Examples include planting a memorial tree, the solemn entry of mourners into a service, or a procession of vehicles. The Forest Service pays for some expenses related to planning and providing a memorial ceremony, the family pays for others.

Honor Guard

The Forest Service Honor Guard provides numerous services to honor the fallen and assist families when there is a loss of life within the Forest Service (Note: you may need to request permission to access the Honor Guard SharePoint site). The Forest Service Honor Guard demonstrates respect for fallen employees and promotes emotional healing for families, employees, and all involved. The Honor Guard’s presence is a way for the agency to demonstrate that its employees are valued and that their service counts. The Honor Guard’s mission and commitment are to ensure no employees, or their families, stand alone in the wake of a tragedy.
Honor Guard responsibilities may include:

  • Watching the casket

  • Presenting wreaths, plaques, statues, or memorial items on behalf of the Forest Service

  • Presenting and posting the colors (flags)

  • Folding and presenting the U. S. flag or other flags

  • Performing at special events, such as parades, meetings, conferences, workshops, dedications, sporting events, and Forest Service employee award ceremonies

  • Performing drill standards

  • Supporting other agencies at funerals or memorial ceremonies

The roles the Honor Guard may fulfill at a funeral or memorial ceremony include:

  • Ushers

  • Event planners

  • Pallbearers

  • Escorts or assistants for grieving family members

Federal Employee Death Benefits

Death benefits or entitlements for the survivors or beneficiaries of a Forest Service employee depend on several factors, including the employee’s enrollment in:

  • A Federal retirement plan (i.e., the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS), CSRS Offset, or the Federal Employees Retirement System)

  • The Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) Program

  • The Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) Program

  • The Thrift Savings Plan

Other death benefits may include unpaid compensation.
At different times in an employee’s career, he or she has the opportunity to designate a beneficiary (or beneficiaries) for each of these programs (if applicable). Federal law allows an employee to designate anyone, including non-family members, to receive these benefits. A Human Resources Management benefits specialist will explain death benefits to family members if they are the beneficiaries. However, the benefits specialist cannot disclose information about other beneficiaries.

Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program

The Department of Justice, Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program offers several benefits (including death, disability, and education) to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other emergency services personnel. Refer to the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program web page for further information.