"The intent of this document is to aid ME/Cs in establishing a uniform mass fatality management strategy that mutually supports and integrates key agencies in the response effort. The general principles and best practices for managing large numbers of fatalities are addressed. This document also directs the reader to those agencies and documents that have more detailed information on specific areas of fatality management. This document focuses on the following topics: the role of ME/Cs and how to manage a catastrophic event, how to mobilize local, State, and Federal resources by identifying requirements, the use of a basic mass fatality management strategy, identification of critical variables that influence the fatality management strategy, specifically when remains are chemically or biologically contaminated, the work of other agencies that have addressed various aspects of fatality management, current training opportunities for ME/Cs."