High-level Funeral Service Forces

Accordingly, Circular 86 stipulates that for funerals presided over by the Ministry of National Defense:

- Officers standing guard beside the coffin during the presence of delegations from the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party, the National Assembly, the President, the Government of Vietnam, the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Central Military Commission - Ministry of National Defense, and during the Memorial Ceremony shall include 02 (two) General-rank officers, 02 (two) Colonel-rank officers, and 04 (four) honor guards. For the remaining time of the Funeral Ceremony, there shall be 04 (four) Colonel-rank and Lieutenant Colonel-rank officers and 04 (four) honor guards;- The General-rank officer on guard beside the coffin shall be assigned by the Head of the Funeral Organizing Committee to officers from relevant agencies and units;- The honorary unit shall include: 01 (one) commander, 01 (one) Military Protocol team, representatives from 3 (three) forces: Army, Navy, and Air Force. Each block includes 20 (twenty) soldiers, 01 (one) block leader.

Additionally, Circular 86 also stipulates that for funerals presided over by units under the Central Military Commission:

- Officers standing guard beside the coffin shall include 04 (four) Colonel-rank and Lieutenant Colonel-rank officers and 04 (four) honor guards. The Head of the Funeral Organizing Committee shall assign officers from relevant agencies and units;- The honorary unit shall include: 24 (twenty-four) soldiers, 01 (one) commanding officer, and 01 (one) Military Protocol team; for the deceased who belonged to a particular military force, the honorary unit shall wear the formal uniform of that force.

For the honorary unit, officers, and honor guards standing guard beside the coffin:

- If the funeral is held at the Military Hospital Funeral Home in Hanoi, it shall be conducted by the Army Ceremony Unit; if held at an agency or unit in Hanoi, the host unit shall coordinate with the Army Ceremony Unit;- If the funeral is held at Military Hospital Funeral Homes in Ho Chi Minh City, it shall be conducted by Military Region 7; if held at an agency or unit in Ho Chi Minh City, the host unit shall coordinate with Military Region 7.

See details in Circular 86/2016/TT-BQP effective from August 5, 2016.

- Thao Uyen -

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