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Michigan Mortuary Response Team to help with surge of human remains due to COVID-19

Posted at 7:13 PM, Apr 29, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-29 19:55:41-04

LANSING (WXYZ) — The Michigan Mortuary Response Team has been activated for the first time in an effort to help health care facilities and funeral homes in the state with the surge of human remains due to the coronavirus, officials said Wednesday.

MI-MORT, which was established 10 years ago, consists of 40 volunteers from across the state, including medical examiners, law enforcement, forensic scientists, chaplains and funeral directors.

The team will provide "safe and secure transfer, identification and storage of human remains until funeral homes can help families make plans," state officials say.

“This is a challenging time for health care facilities and families across our state, particularly those experiencing loss. Michiganders who lose a loved one as a result of COVID-19 shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can make final arrangements,” said Timothy Schramm, funeral director for Howe-Peterson and commander of MI-MORT. “Our volunteers are dedicated to providing comfort and reassurance that a person’s remains are safe and properly, professionally handled as quickly as possible at every step.”

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