Law Enforcement Funeral Manual

This manual for law enforcement funerals addresses preparation for the funeral, basic elements of the funeral, types of funerals, memorial services for a departmental animal who dies under various circumstances, and funeral resources. In providing guidelines for funeral preparation, the first chapter focuses on procedures for death notifications and the role of the police chaplain in departmental funerals. The second chapter outlines the basic elements of the law enforcement funeral. These include religious inclusiveness and sensitivity at the funeral; special religious funeral considerations (Buddhist, Hindu, Islamic, Jewish, and Roman Catholic, Orthodox Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican); general information on law enforcement funerals; elements of the funeral; and funeral arrangements for members killed in the line of duty. The third chapter considers the following types of funerals: funeral for a member killed in the line of duty, funeral for an active member who died off-duty, and funeral for a retired member. After discussing the rationale for departmental animal memorial services, the fourth chapter offers suggestions for a memorial for an animal killed in the line of duty and animals who die while off-duty or in retirement. The concluding chapter provides the following types of funeral resources: poems and short readings, police hymns, prayers, survivor resources, and support agencies and resources.