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The End of Life Plannerby Valoren

General information · not a substitute for the advice of an attorney.

Free · general informationMichigan

What to do when someone dies in Michigan

The first things Michigan’s own law asks for after a death, quoted word for word, then the pages for everything that follows, in the order it usually comes. Nothing here decides what a particular family must do. That belongs to the office named, the court, or an attorney in Michigan.

  • Every fact dated, in the official words
  • Each state’s own law

Every quotation checked October 24, 2026

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The free first-week checklist

Pages taken from the planner, by email: who to phone first, and a blank records sheet.

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Every quotation on this page is the official body’s own words, as they stood on the day we read them. The date is beside each one.

Reporting the death: who files it, where, how soon, and the medical certification

Registering the death comes first. These are Michigan’s own words on who files the record, and how soon.

(1) A funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body, either personally or through the funeral director's authorized agent, shall report the death.

must be filed with the local registrar of the district where the death occurred within 72 hours after the death.

the medical certification portion of the death record must be completed and certified not later than 48 hours after death by 1 of the following:

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 333.2843

What the person holding the will must do, how to send it, and the liability for neglect

The will has its own rules. These are Michigan’s own words on who brings it to the court after a death, and what the court does with it.

A custodian of a will or codicil or person having possession or care of a will or codicil shall forward it to the court having jurisdiction with reasonable promptness after the death of the testator either by delivering it personally or by sending it properly addressed by registered mail. A person who neglects to perform this duty without reasonable cause is liable for damages that are sustained by the neglect.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2516

Depositing a will with the court during life: the sealed wrapper, and the certificate of deposit

(1) A will in writing that is enclosed in a sealed wrapper, on which is endorsed the testator's name, place of residence, … may be deposited by the individual making the will, or by a person for him or her, with the court in the county where the testator resides. The court shall receive and safely keep the will and give a certificate of the deposit of the will.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2515(1)

The same page for other states

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FAQ

Common questions

(1) A funeral director who first assumes custody of a dead body, either personally or through the funeral director's authorized agent, shall report the death.

must be filed with the local registrar of the district where the death occurred within 72 hours after the death.

the medical certification portion of the death record must be completed and certified not later than 48 hours after death by 1 of the following:

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 333.2843

A custodian of a will or codicil or person having possession or care of a will or codicil shall forward it to the court having jurisdiction with reasonable promptness after the death of the testator either by delivering it personally or by sending it properly addressed by registered mail. A person who neglects to perform this duty without reasonable cause is liable for damages that are sustained by the neglect.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2516

(1) A will in writing that is enclosed in a sealed wrapper, on which is endorsed the testator's name, place of residence, … may be deposited by the individual making the will, or by a person for him or her, with the court in the county where the testator resides. The court shall receive and safely keep the will and give a certificate of the deposit of the will.

Michigan · general information · checked October 24, 2026 · MCL 700.2515(1)

For anyone who would rather their family found it all in one place than went looking.

A couple. A parent. An adult child and a parent, doing it together. One sitting starts it; keep it current, and tell someone where it is.

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