Michigan · 83 counties
When someone dies in Michigan
Two things matter first: getting certified death certificates, and, if money is short, reaching the burial assistance program in the county where the death happened. Pick your county below for exact contacts.
The paperwork
Death certificates in Michigan
Certified copies come from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Vital Records (official site).
Anyone can request a certified copy of a Michigan death record in writing if they prepay the search fee. You can order by mail, online, by phone, by drop box, or by appointment in person. VitalChek is the only authorized online provider, and phone orders go through 866-443-9897. Mail orders take about 4 to 5 weeks, or 2 to 3 weeks with rush processing, so if you need copies quickly do not order by mail. The office and drop box are at 333 South Grand Avenue, Lansing, MI 48933.
Planning ahead
Nobody has died yet? Set up a power of attorney
If someone you love is aging or ill, the cheapest protection your family can get is a power of attorney, and it must happen while they can still sign. We cover Michigan's exact rules and official forms.
Michigan power of attorney rulesIf money is tight
Statewide burial assistance
Michigan does not run county burial programs. Burial help comes from the state, through the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services State Emergency Relief program, using form DHS-1514. The deadline runs the opposite direction from what most families expect: you must apply no later than 20 business days AFTER the burial, cremation, or donation takes place, and the remains must be in Michigan. Apply through your local MDHHS county office and ask what the current maximum payment is.
Pick your county
Michigan counties (83)
Alcona CountyAlger CountyAllegan CountyAlpena CountyAntrim CountyArenac CountyBaraga CountyBarry CountyBay CountyBenzie CountyBerrien CountyBranch CountyCalhoun CountyCass CountyCharlevoix CountyCheboygan CountyChippewa CountyClare CountyClinton CountyCrawford CountyDelta CountyDickinson CountyEaton CountyEmmet CountyGenesee CountyGladwin CountyGogebic CountyGrand Traverse CountyGratiot CountyHillsdale CountyHoughton CountyHuron CountyIngham CountyIonia CountyIosco CountyIron CountyIsabella CountyJackson CountyKalamazoo CountyKalkaska CountyKent CountyKeweenaw CountyLake CountyLapeer CountyLeelanau CountyLenawee CountyLivingston CountyLuce CountyMackinac CountyMacomb CountyManistee CountyMarquette CountyMason CountyMecosta CountyMenominee CountyMidland CountyMissaukee CountyMonroe CountyMontcalm CountyMontmorency CountyMuskegon CountyNewaygo CountyOakland CountyOceana CountyOgemaw CountyOntonagon CountyOsceola CountyOscoda CountyOtsego CountyOttawa CountyPresque Isle CountyRoscommon CountySaginaw CountySanilac CountySchoolcraft CountyShiawassee CountySt. Clair CountySt. Joseph CountyTuscola CountyVan Buren CountyWashtenaw CountyWayne CountyWexford County