Michigan has activated the Michigan Mortuary Response Team (MI-MORT) to assist local health care facilities and funeral homes with the surge in human remains during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of EMS, Trauma, and Preparedness and the Michigan Funeral Directors Association are taking this action together, according to an April 29 statement by the state of Michigan Emergency Operations Center.
MI-MORT is made up of about 40 volunteers from across the state, including medical examiners and investigators, law enforcement officials, forensic scientists, chaplains and funeral directors. The team works to provide safe and secure transfer along with identification and storage of human remains until funeral homes can help families make arrangements.
“This is a challenging time for health care facilities and families across our state, particularly those experiencing loss,” said Timothy Schramm, a Southgate native who owns the Howe-Peterson Funeral Homes in Taylor and Dearborn and is the commander of MI-MORT.
“Michiganders who lose a loved one as a result of COVID-19 shouldn’t have to worry about whether they can make final arrangements. 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.”
MI-MORT was established 10 years ago as part of emergency and disaster planning led by the MDHHS Bureau of EMS, Trauma and Preparedness. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the team to activate for the first time ever. Volunteers are trained to assist in different emergency and disaster scenarios.
Overall, MDHHS has reported more than 3,500 COVID-19 deaths since the state’s first case was confirmed March 10.
Health care facilities and local officials have to request MI-MORT assistance through their local medical examiner and emergency management team. MI-MORT then works together with the medical examiner and local emergency manager to determine needs.
A private and secure central collection center has been established to provide security and privacy for patients who died, their families and the local funeral homes.
Professionals who are interested in volunteering with MI-MORT may sign up through the Michigan Volunteer Registry at mivolunteerregistry.org.
The latest information on the COVID-19 pandemic is available at michigan.gov/coronavirus and CDC.gov/coronavirus.
