MI HB5117

Allows individuals 18 years or older to designate a funeral representative in writing to make decisions about funeral arrangements, cremation, and disposition of remains, with the designation signed by two witnesses or notarized.

Establishes priority order for funeral decision-making authority: designated funeral representative, surviving spouse, adult children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings, and more distant relatives who first notify the funeral establishment.

Requires funeral establishments to contact potential decision-makers within 72 hours of death; if the highest-priority person cannot be located, declines, or fails to respond within 72 hours, authority passes to the next person in the priority order.

Prohibits funeral representatives who work for or own funeral establishments, cemeteries, crematories, or health facilities from serving unless they are the surviving spouse or a relative of the deceased.

Specifies that if no family member exercises authority within 14 days, the medical examiner (or state corrections director if incarcerated) may exercise funeral disposition rights; persons exercising these rights must ensure payment for disposition costs.