AllExperts > Funerals 
Search      
Funerals
Volunteer
Answers to thousands of questions
 Home · More Funerals Questions · Answer Library  · Encyclopedia ·
More Funerals Answers
Question Library

Ask a question about Funerals
Volunteer
Experts of the Month
Expert Login

Awards

About Us
Tell friends
Link to Us
Disclaimer

 
 
 
 
About Lisa Carlson
Expertise
Funeral Law. Having written a 640-page book on funeral law for consumers with state-by-state information, I am very conversant with consumer rights in this regard: What are the laws on disposition of cremated remains? Is embalming required? Do I have to use a funeral home? Can I have a home wake? Is it a state law to buy a vault? I prepaid for a funeral but changed my mind. They won`t give me all my money back. What can I do? . . . etc.

 
   

You are here:  Experts > Health/Fitness > Death and Dying > Funerals > cremation in michigan

Funerals - cremation in michigan


Expert: Lisa Carlson - 11/1/2009

Question
QUESTION: I am 70 years old. I live in the uppe peninsula of michigan. I have no family or anyone to take care of my cremation after death. I have 2 small insurance policies to take care of the cremation (2000 dollars each) I am poor and have no money or assets. I have no one to trust. All my family and friends have preceeded me in death. How can I be sure that my insurance goes to pay for my cremation and last wishes. I have checked and been told that in the western upper peninsula where I live, cremation cost is 2000 dollars plus permits and death certificates etc. Can cremation be paid by naming a FD as beneficiary. I do not intend to have a funeral. I want my remains taken directly to crematory if possible. Any suggestions are appreciated.

ANSWER: Who will find your body if you die at home? Who will clean out your apartment or house? Do you belong to a church with any trusted church friends? Yes, you could name a funeral home as beneficiary, but it may be better to name a trusted friend as beneficiary with written directions as to your cremation wishes in a will and then make sure your friend has a copy of the will. A hand-written will or something you download from the internet should do, tho' you may want to check with a lawyer. With two such policies, it sounds as if there would be enough money left over to pay that person for cleaning up your affairs.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: is there any estimates you could give me on the cost of transporting a body after death within the state (michigan)? Would it be more expensive by air or ground?
...thank you...

Answer
Small airports may not have planes large enough to accept a crated body, so I'm guessing ground transport from the Upper Peninsula is most practical. I have no idea where the nearest crematory is. Traverse City? You will probably want to ask around and get a variety of quotes.

Add to this Answer   Ask a Question


 
User Agreement | Privacy Policy | Kids' Privacy Policy | Help
Copyright  © 2008 About, Inc. AllExperts, AllExperts.com, and About.com are registered trademarks of About, Inc. All rights reserved.