CREMATION OF MINORS
House Bill 4760
Sponsor: Rep. Artina Tinsley Hardman
Committee: Health Policy
Complete to 8-26-03
A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4760 AS INTRODUCED 5-27-03
Under provisions of the Public Health Code, within 72 hours after a person’s death or the finding of a dead body, a funeral director or person acting as a funeral director who first assumes custody of the body must obtain authorization for the final disposition. This authorization for the final disposition must be issued on a form prescribed by the state registrar and signed by the local or state registrar. However, in the case of a cremation, the authorization must be signed by the medical examiner for the county in which the death occurred.
House Bill 4760 would amend the Public Health Code to require that the parents or legal guardian also sign an authorization for final disposition before a minor could be cremated. Under the bill, a funeral director or person acting as a funeral director would have to obtain the authorization of the county medical examiner and an authorization for final disposition of the minor by cremation from the parents or legal guardian on a form prescribed and furnished or approved by the state registrar.
MCL 333.2848
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This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.