Medical Examiner

The Medical Examiner is required by Michigan to investigate deaths that are sudden, suspicious, unexpected, accidental, or violent deaths. The Medical Examiner has the authority to order an autopsy if it is necessary to determine the cause of death.

A family member should choose a funeral home as a first step in the process. The funeral homes or cremation facilities work with crematories and vital records for death certificates, as well as with the family involved.

Contacting the Medical Examiner

To contact the Oceana County Medical Examiner, use the following information:

• General Email: main@mmmeg.org
• Records Requests and Supplementals Email: Records@mmmeg.org

Death Certificate Requests

Please send requests through the State of Michigan Electronic Death Registration (EDRS) to Dr. Rudy Ochs.

Cremation Permit Requests

There is a $50 permit fee for Cremation Permit Requests. This fee must be paid in advance as detailed below.

With a Death Certificate signed by the Primary Care Physician:

• Pay the Cremation Permit fee (in advance). This can be done online at the Oceana County Cremation Services Payment Portal or in person at the County Clerk’s Office
  • Information needed: Name of funeral home, funeral home address and email, name of deceased, and date of death.
• Please use EDRS (Electronic Death Registration System) for the Official Cremation Permit Request to Dr. Rudy Ochs.
• Please send the receipt of payment with name of decedent to the Medical Examiner’s Office at main@mmmeg.org or fax 231-440-0806. (Be sure to include your email address and fax number)
• A cremation permit review will be conducted and requests fulfilled via EDRS. Our policy is a 24-hour turnaround period. Please call or email the Medical Examiner Office at: 231-510-6205 or main@mmmeg.org if you have an extenuating circumstance.

With a Death Certificate signed by the Medical Examiner:

• Request a Death Certificate for the Medical Examiner to complete and sign via EDRS
• Pay the Cremation Permit fee (in advance). This can be done online at the Oceana County Cremation Services Payment Portal or in person at the County Clerk’s Office
  • Information needed: Name of funeral home, funeral home address and email, name of deceased, and date of death.
• Please use EDRS (Electronic Death Registration System) for the Official Cremation Permit Request to Dr. Rudy Ochs.
• Please send the receipt of payment with name of decedent to the Medical Examiner’s Office at main@mmmeg.org or fax 231-440-0806. (Be sure to include your email address and fax number)
• A cremation permit review will be conducted and requests fulfilled via EDRS. Our policy is a 24-hour turnaround period. Please call or email the Medical Examiner Office at: 231-510-6205 or main@mmmeg.org if you have an extenuating circumstance.

Our staff is available to monitor this process on a continual basis. Please email or call with any and all questions.