The Bureau of Commercial Services, Licensing Division within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs licenses funeral establishments (mortuary science). 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.

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

New!  Renewals for these tasks are accessible through the Michigan Business One Stop portal.

A. NAME OF LICENSE OR APPROVAL:

Funeral Establishment License (Mortuary Science) application form

Other Funeral Establishment License (Mortuary Science) forms

B. STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

PA 299 of 1980 (Occupational Code) Article 18

C. APPLICABLE REGULATION:

Administrative Rules

D. SUMMARY OF LICENSE/APPROVAL PROCESS:

 1.  Applicability (activities that require the license)

Article 18 defines a funeral establishment as a place of business used in the care and preparation for burial or transportation of a dead human body, or a place where a person represents that the person is engaged in the profession of undertaking or the practice of mortuary science.

Whenever there is a change of ownership or entity of a funeral home, or a funeral establishment relocates, or a new funeral home is established, an application for a funeral establishment license must be filed with the Board of Examiners in Mortuary Science. A funeral establishment may be a corporation, partnership, limited liability company, or sole proprietorship operating under an assumed name. If a funeral establishment is a corporation, the president of the corporation, all officers actively involved in the day to day operation of the establishment, and all directors of the corporation are required to hold a Michigan mortuary science license.

Each licensed funeral establishment is required to have a manager who is employed by the establishment on a full-time basis and is available at all times for funeral-related purposes. The manager must be a mortuary science licensee who resides within a one hour drive of the funeral home. A mortuary science licensee shall not manage more than one funeral establishment.

Applications for a funeral establishment license should be submitted approximately 30 days prior to the planned opening of the establishment. An inspection of the funeral home will be conducted prior to approval of the license application.

If there is a change of manager of the funeral establishment or if the funeral establishment wishes to change its name, a Change of Manager/Name application needs to be submitted to the department.

 2.  Pre-Application Requirements

N/A

 3.  Application Submission Requirements

Applicants must submit a signed application form and the information that is specified in Article 18 of P.A. 299 of 1980, as amended (Occupational Code) laws and/or rules and directions for completing an application.

 4.  Procedures and Time-Frame for Obtaining License or Approval

N/A

 5.  Operational Requirements

N/A

 6.  Fees

(1) Fees composed of application processing fee and one per-year fee
(2) Licenses expire 10/31 of odd-numbered years
(3) Fees composed of application fee, per-year fee and late fee
(4) Resident trainee licenses expire 1/31 annually

 7.  Appeal Process

For the occupations regulated under the Occupational Code, this generally describes the procedure that is followed when an applicant for a license has received a formal denial of the application. The Code calls what they file a Petition for Review and requires that the Department receive it within 30 days. The appeal/petition is placed on the board agenda for the next regularly scheduled board meeting. The Petitioner files a written request to appeal that is accompanied by any documents which would substantiate their reason why the denial should be overturned and a license granted. The two main categories of denial are: lack of good moral character and failure to meet the license requirements (lack of education, experience, failed exam, etc.) The Board and Department hear the appeal/Petition during the meeting. The Board vote must be agreed upon by the Department; in case of the Board voting to overturn the denial and the Department disagreeing (wanting the denial to stand), the Department has the final decision. If the Petitioner is in attendance, the Petitioner knows the outcome then but either way a letter outlining the results is mailed to the Petitioner. Should the Petitioner wish to appeal an upheld denial determination made at the Board meeting, the next step would be filing in Circuit Court. If the occupation is not under the Occupational Code, the Bureau Director would hear the appeal and any upheld denial by the Bureau Director could also be appealed to Circuit Court.

 8.  Public Input Opportunities

The public has an opportunity to provide input in various ways. Typical opportunities for input are when administrative rules are being considered at a Public Hearing. The public has an opportunity to address specific draft rules or the rule set overall either in writing or by testimony at the hearing. At open Board Meetings, the public is given an opportunity to address the board on either specific items or in general. At any time a member of the public wishes to address a Bureau practice, policy or procedure, a letter to the Bureau Director may be sent. The Bureau also receives many inquiries or comments by way of letters to the Governor regarding Bureau operations or specific licensure applications.

E. Contact Information:

Contact Us

Creation/Revision Date:

September 29, 2010