September 23, 2026
10:00AM - 11:00AM

MDHHS--Funeral Home Focused Training (1 CE Credit)

Webinar

From: MDHHS-VR-Registration
Subject: New Funeral Directors Handbook and Form, New Training Opportunity

Good afternoon, Funeral Directors and Staff,

Funeral Home Focused Training

Save the Date!  September 23, 2026 from 10-11 (1 CE Credit)

Funeral Home Responsibility in Death Certification

• To register and attend the webinar, click here:  https://mphi-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/lEvageyRTHuLr0dxTTnfPQ
• We’re working with MFDA on finalizing a plan so that participants can earn continuing education credit.

New Handbook

Attached please find the newly updated Funeral Directors’ Handbook. This replaces the 2004 Funeral Directors’ Manual. We developed it with the aim of making the document more flexible and dynamic.

• The hyperlinks embedded in the document should help to ensure that linked information remains updated.
• We are working on updating the Certifying Physician and Medical Examiner’s Handbook, which should be released in September.
• If you have any suggestions for future versions of this document,  please email MDHHS-VR-Registration@michigan.gov.

Medical Statement of Death (MSOD)

Attached please find the Medical Statement of Death (DCH-0483 M). We improved the medical certificate of death to create more legibility for reading and writing and enhanced the instructions for the physicians.

• You may begin using this form when you are attesting to the medical portion of the death certificate.
• Until we transition to moving the EDRS into VERA, you may also continue to utilize the previous medical certificate of death (MCOD) if that’s your preference.
• Please remember that Funeral Home staff may write or type the Decedent’s Full Legal Name, Date of Birth, Sex, Date of Death, and Location of Pronounced Death (if known). The medical certifier must complete the medical certification portion of this form including the signature portion.
• MSODs, like MCODs, are file copies.  They are for internal use only and should not be provided to the families or individuals related to the decedent. 

September Monthly Minute Video

• This month, we released an updated video with key guidance on when a record should be referred to the ME.
• When to Refer to the Medical Examiner

Thank you for the compassionate work you do to support individuals and families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives, and for care and professionalism you bring to the important responsibility of completing and filing the death certificate. If you have any questions about the attached documents or training, please feel free to contact the Registration Unit at 517-335-6506. 

As always, if someone leaves your employment and they should no longer have access to EDRS, please email us at MDHHS-VR-Registration@michigan.gov. 

Diana Stoddard (she/her)

Registration Unit Supervisor

Vital Records Registration

Ph:  517-335-8712

Stoddardd2@michigan.gov

Handbook

Medical Statement of Death DCH-0483 M