Michigan coroners are dealing with a higher volume of bodies than ever in the midst of the pandemic. | GettyImages
Michigan coroners are dealing with a higher volume of bodies than ever in the midst of the pandemic. | GettyImages
In the state of Michigan, deaths from COVID-19 are skyrocketing and have been increasing on a daily basis.
In light of this development, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is issuing guidance on claiming the bodies of the deceased following a death. In Michigan, families have up to 24 hours to claim the bodies of loved ones. If contact has not been made with a family member within that time frame -- and no family member has made arrangements within 48 hours -- the body will be cremated, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.
One possible exception to the rule is that if the death happened under suspicious circumstances, the cremation would be delayed indefinitely. In some cases, the cremation must be approved by the medical examiner to ensure there is no question as to the cause or circumstances of the death.
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