We, the staff of Michigan Medicine, wish to extend our condolences to you on following the death of your loved one. This section of our website is intended to help you find important information about your next steps and navigate through the hospital and community resources.
Michigan Medicine has created a downloadable packet which includes most of the information provided on these pages. View or download the bereavement packet in English: Upon the Death of Your Loved One PDF.
After the Death of a Child and Pregnancy Loss
This page is intended to provide information and support for the death of an adult in the hospital. Please visit the Grief Support Upon the Death of a Child on the C.S. Mott Children's Hospital website for information following the death of a child and Loss of a Desired Pregnancy on the Von Voigtlander Women's site for support following pregnancy loss.
Following a Death
After someone close to you has died, you may feel overwhelmed about what to do next. Many families find it helpful to read through information on the logistics and options surrounding organ donation, autopsy, and funeral preparations. This information is available on our Following a Death page.
Financial and Legal Concerns
Many people worry about financial and legal details when someone close to them has died. Depending on your relationship to the deceased person, you may receive an automatic transfer of both assets and debts after a death occurs. For more information about financial and legal details, including information about Social Security, the Veteran’s Administration, and the death certificate, visit the Financial and Legal Concerns Following a Death page.
Remembering Your Loved One
There are many ways to honor and remember someone who has died. You may choose to memorialize your loved one in a personal way or a public way. Michigan Medicine offers several formal ways to remember your loved one at a memorial event organized by the hospital, which you are welcome to attend. Please see our Remembering your Loved One page for more information.
Living with Grief
Grief is a natural and universal response to the loss of a loved one. It is important to remember that grief is a process and a journey—and can be quite a different experience for different people. Grief reactions may impact you on many levels including your feelings, thoughts, behaviors, and physical sensations. Our Living with Grief page may help you understand grief reactions, physical symptoms of grief, ways to cope, and when to reach out for additional support.
Share Feedback about Your Experience
We realize that remembering the day a loved one died may be difficult. Sharing your experience may be helpful to you and others. We hope you will take a moment and participate in the care at end of life survey. Please share this survey with anyone impacted by the loss.
Michigan Medicine strives to ensure that everyone nearing the end of their life receives compassionate care and is treated with dignity and respect. We are committed to providing care, information and support to families and caregivers before, during, and after a death has occurred. Your feedback will help us improve the quality of care provided to all patients and families.
Contact the Office of Decedent Affairs
The Office of Decedent Affairs (ODA) is part of the Michigan Medicine Department of Social Work. The ODA is the centralized point of contact at Michigan Medicine for ongoing questions and concerns before, during, and after the death of a loved one. To contact the Office of Decedent Affairs, call 734-232-4919 between the hours of 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also email the ODA office at [email protected].