You don't have to decide everything today. A few things have to happen in the first few days; most things can wait. Here's how it works in Michigan.
Right away
- If they were in hospice: call the hospice's 24-hour line, not 911. A nurse comes to confirm the death, handles the paperwork and helps contact the funeral home. (Arbor Hospice's line is 888-247-5701.)
- If the death was sudden or unexpected: call 911. The county medical examiner reviews deaths that are sudden, unexpected, accidental or unattended by a doctor in the past 48 hours.
- In a hospital or care facility: staff will guide you. At Michigan Medicine, the Office of Decedent Affairs is at 734-232-4919.
- There's no rush to move the body once the death is confirmed. Take the time you need to sit with them.
Within a few days
- Choose a funeral home. Michigan is one of the few states that requires a licensed funeral director to file the death certificate, move the body, get permits and oversee burial or cremation. You can still do a lot yourself, including a home vigil, with a cooperating funeral director. Compare Washtenaw prices
- You only pay for what you choose. Embalming is not required by Michigan law except in a few situations, like long-distance transport. Refrigeration is a common alternative.
- The paperwork clock: the funeral director files the death record within 72 hours and gets the burial or cremation permit. For cremation, the county medical examiner signs off first.
- Decide on burial or cremation. If you choose direct cremation, the celebration can happen weeks later. Lower-cost options · Green burial
Who gets to decide
Michigan law sets the order: a funeral representative the person named in writing, then a spouse, adult children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, and so on. Unmarried partners and chosen family aren't on the list unless they were named as funeral representative. How to name one
Death certificates
- For deaths in Washtenaw County, the County Clerk charges $15 for the first certified copy and $5 for each additional copy ordered at the same time. (734) 222-6720, washtenaw.org/vitalrecords
- Your funeral director can usually order them for you. Banks, insurers, pensions and the Secretary of State each tend to want a certified copy, so order several at once while they're cheap.
Who to tell
- Social Security: funeral homes usually report the death. Otherwise call 800-772-1213. A surviving spouse or eligible child may get a $255 payment.
- Veterans Affairs: burial and plot allowances are available for many veterans' families. VA burial allowance
- One credit bureau: notifying one passes it to the others.
- Employer, banks, insurers and pension, when you're ready.
What can wait
- The estate. In Michigan, if the estate is small (under $53,000 for 2026 deaths, not counting real estate), you may be able to use a small estate affidavit after 28 days instead of probate. Washtenaw County Probate Court: 101 E. Huron St., (734) 222-3072.
- Their car: vehicles can often be transferred to heirs at the Secretary of State with form TR-40.
- Taxes: a final tax return is due on the usual schedule.
- The celebration of life. It can happen weeks or months later. That's what I do.
Free support nearby
- Arbor Hospice grief support is free and open to anyone in the community, not only hospice families: 734-709-3088.
- Ele's Place runs free grief groups for children and teens, and their adults: 734-929-6640.
- Ann Arbor Death Cafe meets monthly, online and at Crazy Wisdom on Main Street, for anyone who wants to talk openly about death.
This is general information, not legal advice. Checked November 2026. Sources include Michigan law (MCL 700.3206, 333.2843, 333.2848), LARA, Washtenaw County, the Social Security Administration and the VA. Spot an error? Email kate@graveandseed.com.