generalinfo

If you have any questions regarding making funeral
arrangements, please feel free to contact our caring staff
at 989.892.3535 or email to info@stapishcederberg.com.

DEATH AT HOME
Sudden or unexpected death at home or other private residence when a
physician is not present should be reported to the local law enforcement
authority immediately. Do not disturb the body. When the police arrive, they will
notify the proper authorities for removal of the body. Let the police know your
preference of funeral home. Depending on the circumstances of death, it may
be required that the remains be first transported to and/or released by the
County Medical Examiner.
When death at home is anticipated, normally the patient is under Hospice care.
When the death occurs, you should contact Hospice. Hospice will often facilitate
many of the procedures listed above, including contact with the funeral home of
your choice.

DEATH AWAY FROM HOME
If you are traveling (or living away from your home town) immediately contact
your hometown funeral director who will be able to make the necessary
professional contacts for you (including, if necessary, a funeral home in the
location of the death), usually within minutes, often avoiding costs resulting from
duplication of services.

DEATH OVERSEAS
If death occurs in a foreign country, the U.S. Consulate in that country can assist
in making arrangements. These arrangements vary in cost and can be very
expensive, so be sure to insist upon careful cost estimates. Also be sure to
obtain at least ten English translations of the Death Certificate at the nearest
U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

AUTHORIZATION OF FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS
Under Michigan law can be made only by the next-of-kin. Their wishes
supersede the expressed wishes of the deceased contained in the deceased's
will or other written or oral communication. The only exception to this is if the
deceased has arranged for his body to be donated to medical science, in which
case, by statute, the deceased's wishes must be respected. The personal
representative or executor of the estate has no special authority to make funeral
arrangements contrary to the wishes of the next-of-kin.
Who is the next-of-kin? In general, next-of-kin are determined in the following
order: Spouse; children; grandchildren; parents; siblings; nieces and nephews;
grandparents; aunts and uncles; first cousins.

AUTOPSIES
Autopsies are performed, pursuant to State law, at the discretion of the County
Medical Examiner when death occurs from any cause without a physician
present or under suspicious circumstances. No family member may prohibit an
autopsy by the County authority and no permission from the family is required.
Any person with reasonable cause to believe that a death was not natural or
accidental must report their suspicions to the local law enforcement authority
and may request an autopsy by the Medical Examiner. Next-of-kin may grant or
deny this privilege to the hospital where the death occurred.

EMBALMING
Embalming is required by State law if the remains are not cremated or buried
within 48 hours of death, or if the deceased had certain communicable
diseased. Embalming will impede but will not prevent the natural decomposition
of a body. There is no exception under current law from embalming
requirements for refrigeration, nor is a funeral home required to have
refrigeration available. Further, most funeral homes will require and have the
right to require that embalming take place when there is a public visitation, and
you will be required to pay for that embalming. You do not have to pay for
embalming that is not required by either the funeral home or state law and that
you have not authorized.

CREMATION
Cremations may take place legally only after permission has been received from
the County Medical Examiner to ensure that no criminal action is concealed by
the destruction of physical evidence. Embalming is required if the cremation
does not take place within 48 hours of death or if the deceased had certain
communicable diseases. The funeral home and crematory will require express
written authorization for cremation from the next-of-kin.

CEMETERY REQUIREMENTS
Cemetery requirements usually include a minimum container and some sort of
protection to prevent the collapse of the grave after burial, such as a concrete
liner or box or some type of vault. Neither a vault or a liner ensures
preservation of the body. Many cemeteries have specific requirements
concerning the type of memorial or marker that may be placed on the grave and
minimum container requirements for entombment of cremated remains.
Cemeteries may establish their own requirements and charge for them. Check
with the cemetery of your choice to determine its minimum requirements.

CASH ADVANCE ITEMS
Cash Advance Items are goods or services that are paid to a third party by the
funeral director on your behalf such as obituary notices, death certificates, and
clergy or musician honoraria. The funeral director may request payment for
these services in advance. The law prohibits charging more than the actual cost
of these items without informing the consumer.