Cohen Introduces the Honor the WISH Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Steve Cohen (D-TN) today introduced legislation -- the Honor the WISH Act -- he authored to enable Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen to determine who they want to organize their funeral arrangements. Under current law, funeral arrangements can only be made by a spouse, blood relative or adoptive parent.

“Someone who puts their life on the line defending our country should be able to designate whomever they wish to make arrangements for their memorial services,” said Congressman Cohen. “The Honor the WISH Act will amend current law to let Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen designate who they want to organize their funeral arrangements should they be killed while serving their country.”

Members of the Armed Services fill out a DD93 Form to designate who will direct disposition of the member’s remains if they die while on active duty. However, current law only allows them to designate a spouse, blood relatives or adoptive parent. Some of our service members would prefer someone who does not fall into these categories to bear that responsibility, but are prohibited by federal law to do so.

Army PFC Christopher Fox died in Iraq in 2008 after being wounded by a small-arms attack in Baghdad. On his DD93 form, he had designated his mother figure, Amy, to dispose of his remains. Unfortunately, the military did not allow Amy to oversee the burial arrangements because she was not a spouse, blood relative, or person standing in loco parentis (as is currently required by federal law).

Christopher’s step-brother ended up making the funeral arrangements. Due to the distance between Amy’s home in Knoxville, Tennessee and the funeral site in Arkansas, Amy -- the person who Christopher wanted most to play a role in his remembrance ceremony -- was unable to attend the funeral.

Other instances such as these have arisen where a non-relative has been written on the form, but the U.S. Department of Defense, by law, cannot allow them to direct disposition.

The legislation is supported by:

• Air Force Association
• AMVETS
• National Association of Uniformed Services
• Reserve Officers Association
• United States Army Warrant Officers Association