The Michigan Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science was created under Article 18 of Public Act 299 of 1980, as amended to license and regulate the practice of mortuary science and funeral establishments in Michigan. Article 18 defines the practice of mortuary science as the practice of embalming or the practice of funeral directing, or both. A funeral establishment is defined as a place of business used in the care and preparation for burial or transportation of a dead human body.

The board currently oversees the practice of approximately 2,140 mortuary science licensees, 3 funeral directors, 88 resident trainees, and 754 funeral homes.