Michigan Compiled Laws, Chapter 35. Veterans and Members of Armed Forces § 35.842

Sec. 2. No such decree shall be entered until a petition shall be filed in such court by or on behalf of the “Grand Army of the Republic”, and the “United Spanish War Veterans”, the “American Legion”, or the “Veterans of Foreign Wars”, or any encampment, post or chapter thereof, duly verified by its officers thereunto duly designated, which petition shall set forth all the facts, together with the name, rank and command to which such deceased soldier, sailor or marine belonged, the date of death, the place where buried, the names of surviving parents and surviving children, if any, and if no such parents or children survive, then the names of any other next of kin, the reasons for which the disinterment and removal of the remains of such deceased are desired, and a description of the place to which such remains are to be removed. Upon the filing of such petition the court shall enter an order directed to the surviving parents and children, if any, and if none, to the other next of kin, directing them to show cause, if they have any, on a day and date in such order to be specified, why the petition should not be granted. In the event that any such persons are minors, the court shall, upon petition of any of the parties in interest, appoint a suitable guardian ad litem, in accordance with the rules and practice of the court. At the hearing on such order to show cause the court shall proceed to hear and determine the merits of such petition and shall make such other or further investigation as it may deem necessary or advisable in the interests of justice and equity, and may thereupon render such decree in the premises as it shall deem appropriate: Provided, however, That no such decree or decrees shall be made in the case where such body is buried in a private lot or crypt unless the written consent of next of kin shall be filed with the court prior to making such decree.