This document provides information about organ donation and funeral practices in Michigan. It outlines how anyone aged 18 or older can register as an organ donor online, through their driver's license, will, or other legal document. The order of priority for who can make funeral decisions is also specified, with surviving spouses and children at the top, followed by parents, siblings, and other relatives. Various options for burials and cremation, as well as pre-planning issues are briefly discussed. Green burials, which do not involve embalming, are presented as a lower-cost and more natural alternative.

1. YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU:
ORGAN DONATION
AND
FUNERAL PRACTICES
SUMMER 2013

2. ORGAN DONATION
Gift of Life:
 Everyone can sign up
 Saying “yes” will not affect your
medical care
 No costs to donor, their family or
estate
 Register online at:
GiftOfLifeMichigan.org
800-482-4881

3. MICHIGAN LAW ON ANATOMICAL GIFTS
Under the Michigan Anatomical
Gift Act, an anatomical gift of all or
any physical part of an individual’s
body for any purpose as specified
in the law may be made by an
individual of sound mind and 18
years of age

4. HOW TO GIFT
 On a driver’s license or state
identification card
 In a will
 Or other acceptable gift document
or registry such as a Power of
Attorney for Health Care, subject
to certain execution requirements

5. FUNERAL PRACTICES
Who can make funeral
decisions?
Michigan law places
jurisdiction with the Probate
Court. The following is the
order of priority:

6. ORDER OF PRIORITY
1. Surviving spouse
2. Decedent’s children 18 years or older
3. Surviving parents
4. Surviving brothers or sisters
5. Next closest blood relative
6. Personal Representative
7. Guardian (if the decedent was under a
guardianship at the time of death)
8. A county public administrator, if willing
9. Medical examiner where the decedent was
domiciled at the time of his or her death

7. PRE-PLANNING ISSUES
 Burial or cremation
 Visitation
 Plot location
 Total cost/Pre-purchase of funeral

8. GREEN BURIAL
 No embalming or chemicals
 Can be lower cost compared to a
“traditional” burial
 More natural cemeteries available
 A local option:
The Preserve at All Saints Cemetery
MichiganNaturalBurial.com
800-989-9633

9. Presented by:
HOWARD H. COLLENS
GALLOWAY AND COLLENS, PLLC
26075 WOODWARD AVENUE
SUITE 200
HUNTINGTON WOODS, MICHIGAN 48070
(248) 545-2500
GALLOWAYCOLLENS.COM
Howard@GallowayCollens.com
Twitter: @howardcollens