NASA Procedural Requirements

NPR 9780.1 Effective Date: January 17, 2017 Expiration Date: July 17, 2028

Subject: Payment of Expenses Connected With the Death of Certain Employees, Revalidated on January 24, 2023 with Change 1.

Responsible Office: Office of the Chief Financial Officer

Chapter 3. Expense Allowances

3.1 Preparation and Transportation of Employee Remains

3.1.1 NASA will pay for the preparation of eligible employee remains, including costs for embalming or cremation, as authorized in 41 CFR § 303-70.

3.1.2 NASA will pay for the transportation of eligible employee remains, including a casket or container suitable for shipment to the place of burial, as authorized in 41 CFR § 303-70.

3.1.3 Transportation costs may be provided from the temporary duty station or official station OCONUS to the employee's residence, official station, or place of burial. However, payments for transportation costs to the place of burial will not exceed the cost of transportation to the employee's residence.

3.1.4 Payments of costs for transportation by hearse or other means will not exceed the cost of common carrier (that is normally used for transportation of remains).

3.2 Preparation and Transportation of Remains of Immediate Family Members

3.2.1 An employee may request that NASA furnish transportation services for an eligible, deceased immediate family member.

3.2.2 NASA may approve this request and provide direct payment to the provider if:

a. Local commercial mortuary facilities or supplies are not available.

b. The NASA Administrator, or designee, determines that the costs of available mortuary facilities or supplies are prohibitive for the employee.

3.2.3 The employee is responsible for reimbursing NASA for the full cost of any provided mortuary services and supplies. Terms for reimbursement of cost incurred by the Agency, and methods for collection of employee debt, will be determined by the NSSC.

An employee may request NASA to assist with the transportation of remains for an eligible immediate family member.

3.2.4 NASA will pay to transport the remains to the residence of the immediate family member.

3.2.5 The employee may elect an alternate destination upon approval by the NASA Administrator, or designee. However, NASA payment of transportation fees will not exceed the cost of transportation to the residence of the deceased.

3.2.6 Per 41 CFR § 303-70, NASA will not pay any burial expenses for an eligible, immediate family member who dies while the employee is OCONUS.

3.3 Escort of Employee Remains

3.3.1 NASA may authorize travel expenses for a maximum of two people to escort the remains of a deceased employee if death occurred under any one of the following circumstances:

a. While in official travel status away from the employee's official travel station in CONUS.

b. While the employee was performing official duties OCONUS or in transit thereto or therefrom.

c. While reassigned away from the employee's actual place of residence under a mandatory mobility agreement.

3.3.2 41 CFR § 303-70 and 5 U.S.C. § 5742 allows NASA to authorize travel expenses for the escort(s) to go to the home or official station of the deceased or any other place appropriate for interment as determined by the NASA Administrator or his/her designee.

3.4 Transportation of an Employee's Baggage and Privately Owned Vehicle

3.4.1 NASA will pay:

a. Transportation costs to return the deceased employee's baggage (e.g., Government or personal) to his/her official duty station or residence, but will not pay insurance for, or reimbursement of loss or damage to the baggage.

b. Only costs associated with the return of a deceased employee's POV from the TDY location to the employee's permanent official station if use of a POV was previously authorized as part of the TDY.

3.5 Transportation of Immediate Family Members, Baggage, Household Goods, and Privately Owned Vehicle

3.5.1 When an employee on a service agreement or a mandatory mobility agreement dies at, or while in transit to or from his/her official duty station OCONUS, NASA will pay to return the employee's immediate family, baggage, POV, and household goods to the employee's former residence; new CONUS location; or alternate location approved by the Agency.

3.5.2 The immediate family member(s) may elect an alternate destination upon approval by the NASA Administrator or designee. However, NASA payments will not exceed the cost of transportation to the decedent's residence.

3.5.3 All travel and transportation will begin within one year from the date of the employee's death. The NASA AA may grant an additional year extension, if requested by the family prior to the expiration of the original one-year limit.

3.5.4 If the immediate family member was included on the deceased employee's relocation travel orders, the family member may choose to continue the relocation if desired, and NASA will continue payment of the relocation expenses. When the immediate family member chooses to continue the relocation, the specific expenses will be authorized as specified in 41 CFR § 303-70.

3.6 Transportation of Immediate Family Members, Baggage, Household Goods, and Privately Owned Vehicle for Law Enforcement Assignment

If a NASA employee that is a law enforcement officer, as defined in 5 U.S.C. 5541, dies as a result of personal injury sustained while in the performance of his/her law enforcement duties, either on official travel duties away from the official station, or at the current official station, additional expenses may be authorized as specified in 41 CFR § 303-70.

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