Finding out that a family member has been cremated without the permission of family members could be devastating. | Claudia Wolff/Unsplash
Finding out that a family member has been cremated without the permission of family members could be devastating. | Claudia Wolff/Unsplash
Since May, Michigan has had it on the books that dead bodies can be cremated without permission from family members, if an appropriate person cannot be contacted within 24 hours, or if family members fail to make arrangements within 48 hours of their relative’s death.
Robert Gordon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), issued the order on May 4, when Michigan already had more than 43,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 4,049 deaths, according to Michigan.gov.
“This sudden increase in deaths has placed a significant burden on some hospitals and funeral homes,” Gordon said, according to Michigan.gov. “To alleviate this burden, ensure the safe and proper handling of bodily remains, and ensure the deceased are treated with the utmost respect and dignity, I find that it is necessary to amend the timelines and authorizations pertaining to the disposition of bodies and to relax certain licensing provisions for funeral directors.”
If the person died under suspicious circumstances or from causes related to criminal activity, cremation must first be approved by the medical examiner.
Alerts Sign-up