State health officials are dealing with higher body counts than ever this year. | GettyImages
State health officials are dealing with higher body counts than ever this year. | GettyImages
As COVID-19 cases are spiraling out of control in Michigan and around the country, state health officials are dealing with a higher volume of deceased bodies than ever before.
In light of this development, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is urging the public to ensure they claim their loved ones within 24 hours or make concrete plans within 48 hours of the death. Otherwise, they say, the body will be cremated by the state of Michigan.
The MDHHS put this policy in place via an order back in May, when coronavirus deaths first began to spike and become a burden on the system, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.
A notable exception to this rule is if the death occurred under suspicious or questionable circumstances. In this case, the medical examiner must sign off on the cremation, assuming the family does not make other arrangements in a timely fashion and no criminal charges are filed in connection with the death.
Public health officials are trying to raise awareness for this policy to ensure that loved ones are able to make the arrangements that they deem suitable for their family members.
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