Kansas State Funeral Assistance Team
This guideline defines different levels of honor with corresponding suggested arrangement options. To establish consistency, it is recommended that departments adopt a funeral protocol plan before its needed. During the entire funeral process, the department must highly consider the deceased member’s family’s wishes.
Before any plan is instituted, the deceased member’s family must agree with the department’s intended participation. The family may choose to forgo some suggested and appropriate levels of honor services, however, the family should not influence an inappropriate increase in the level of honor services.
The Kansas State Funeral Assistance Team is available at all times to answer questions or assist in funeral matters. This team has members who have been trained in funeral matters and people with extensive funeral experience. We can assist you in many ways. We will respond to your Line of Duty incidents bringing necessary supplies and knowledge of the benefits processes. We will also provide guidance for non-line of duty incidents as well as offer our supplies for use. The supplies are offered on a first-request basis with priority given to Line of Duty incidents.
Levels of Service
Level 1
Line of Duty Death as defined by NFFF, PSOB, or the IAFF. The highest level of honors is given to a fallen comrade and is reserved for those who die in an action directly related to an incident or job-related event.
Posting of the colors at the casket (U.S., State, Department, and Union flags)
Casket Guard (2 guards at the casket)
Reading the Fireman’s Prayer
Bell Ceremony
Bagpipers
Taps
Last Alarm Ceremony
Presentation of helmet/personal equipment
Folding and presentation of the American flag
Crossed aerials or Garrison flag
Fire Apparatus used as Caisson
Full Fire Apparatus Procession
Department Apparatus in Procession
Uniform Walkthrough (Fly By)
Sea of Blue
Honor Corridor
Station and Vehicle Bunting
Pall Bearer duties
Level 2
Active Duty Death: When any member who is in good standing with the department passes away for any reason other than a line of Duty Death.
Posting of the colors at the casket (U.S., state, department, and union flags)
Casket Guard (One Guard placed at the head of the casket)
Reading of Fireman’s Prayer
Shortened Bell Ceremony
Taps (If Military Veteran)
Crossed Aerials or Garrison Flag
Department Apparatus in Procession
Uniform Walk Through (Fly By)
Hearse used as Caisson
Honor Corridor
Station Bunting
Level 3
Retiree or an in-active member (in good standing), and family asks the department to participate
Posting of the colors at the casket (U.S., state, department, and union flags)
Casket Guard (One Guard placed at the head of the casket)
Taps (If Military Veteran)
Definitions
Line of Duty: A death that is the result of a traumatic injury or illness directly sustained while performing duties.
Active Member: A full-time or volunteer member of an agency serving in an active capacity.
Inactive Member: A retired or former member of an agency who remains in good standing.
Non-Duty Related Death: Death that results from injury or illness that is not directly related to the performance of their duties.
Fire Apparatus Caisson: Fire Department Apparatus used to carry the casket for a line of duty-related deaths.
Casket Gaurd: One or Two Uniformed Fire Service Members standing guard at the casket during the visitation.
Funeral Bunting:
· Station: Mourning drapes that are placed on the outside of the fire station.
· Vehicle: Mourning drapes that are used to adorn the Fire Apparatus participating in the caisson.
Firefighters Visitation Walk Through (Fly By): A predetermined time during the visitation when uniformed members and dignitaries enter for a unified tribute.
Sea of Blue (Firefighters March): Non-detailed uniformed members and visiting department members’ procession. Members may walk in a procession or create a corridor that the casket passes through, or both.
Bell Ceremony: Portable Fire Service Bell that is tolled at the conclusion of the bell ceremony reading.
Last Alarm: Dispatch tones out agency and reads last alarm information, which includes demographic and career information.
Funeral Team Contacts:
Tanner Burenheide
Emporia Fire Department
tburenheide@emporiaks.gov
(620)412-3025
Ritchard Ramos
Topeka Fire Department
richard.a.ramos911@gmail.com
(785)581-2155
Robert Allen
Kansas City Kansas Fire Department
rallen@kckfd.org
(913)226-5737
Thomas Vacca
Pittsburg Fire Department
thomas.vacca@pittks.org
(620)687-7867
Adam Patterson
Garden City Fire Department
adam.patterson@gardencityks.us
(620)640-8073
Jeremiah Toothaker
Wichita Fire Department
(Pipes and Drums)
jtoothaker@wichita.gov
(316)616-8979
