High Cost Funerals: Anambra Bans Presentation Of Cows, Goats As Condolence Gifts
The Anambra State Government has introduced a new law to regulate funeral rites, outlawing midweek burials.
.Prohibits public displays or dancing with caskets at funerals and burial ceremonies must be completed within one day
The Anambra State Government has introduced a new law to regulate funeral rites, outlawing midweek burials.
Consequently, all burials must be completed within one day.
According to the new law, it is now an offence for friends and well wishers to present cows, goats and other expensive gifts during condolence visits in the state.
The Anambra State House of Assembly, enacted the law in a bid to reduce high cost burial and extravagant funeral ceremonies which had placed heavy financial burdens on bereaved families in the state.
The regulations are also aimed at boosting economic productivity as well as stopping prolonged, lavish funeral activities from disrupting working days.
The new legislation read in part, “No person shall give to the deceased person’s family, as a condolence gift, any item exceeding money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of soft drinks.
“All burial and funeral ceremonies are now restricted to Saturdays only. Midweek (Monday to Friday) burials are prohibited. All burial ceremonies must be completed within one day.
The new legislation read in part, “No person shall give to the deceased person’s family, as a condolence gift, any item exceeding money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of soft drinks.
“All burial and funeral ceremonies are now restricted to Saturdays only. Midweek (Monday to Friday) burials are prohibited. All burial ceremonies must be completed within one day.
“All burial ceremonies must be completed within one day, while wake-keep ceremonies have been abolished entirely.
“Vigil masses, services of songs and related religious activities must end by 9pm, and no food, drinks, live bands or cultural entertainment may be provided during such events.
“The law also prohibits the erection of billboards, banners and posters of deceased persons anywhere in the state.
“Only directional signs leading to burial venues are permitted, and they cannot be displayed earlier than seven days before the burial date.
“Public display of caskets for advertisement or sale is barred, and dancing with caskets is prohibited.
“Undertakers are limited to six persons during funeral activities.
“Corpses are not to remain in mortuaries beyond two months from the date of death.
“Any corpse kept longer risks being classified as a ‘rejected corpse’ and may be buried in government-designated burial grounds to be established in every community.
“Vigil masses, services of songs and related religious activities must end by 9pm, and no food, drinks, live bands or cultural entertainment may be provided during such events.
“The law also prohibits the erection of billboards, banners and posters of deceased persons anywhere in the state.
“Only directional signs leading to burial venues are permitted, and they cannot be displayed earlier than seven days before the burial date.
“Public display of caskets for advertisement or sale is barred, and dancing with caskets is prohibited.
“Undertakers are limited to six persons during funeral activities.
“Corpses are not to remain in mortuaries beyond two months from the date of death.
“Any corpse kept longer risks being classified as a ‘rejected corpse’ and may be buried in government-designated burial grounds to be established in every community.
“Second funeral rites are prohibited except in legacy-related cases.
“The wearing of uniform attire, popularly known as ‘aso ebi’, is restricted to immediate family members, church groups, ‘umunna’, ‘umuada’ and ‘iyom di’, where applicable.
“To enforce compliance, the state will establish monitoring and implementation committees in various communities to oversee the registration of deaths, approve burial ceremonies and monitor adherence to the law.
“Traditional youth practices deemed disruptive have also been outlawed, including public display of photographs of the deceased, destruction of crops or household property, and unauthorised use of firearms during burials.”
“The wearing of uniform attire, popularly known as ‘aso ebi’, is restricted to immediate family members, church groups, ‘umunna’, ‘umuada’ and ‘iyom di’, where applicable.
“To enforce compliance, the state will establish monitoring and implementation committees in various communities to oversee the registration of deaths, approve burial ceremonies and monitor adherence to the law.
“Traditional youth practices deemed disruptive have also been outlawed, including public display of photographs of the deceased, destruction of crops or household property, and unauthorised use of firearms during burials.”
The law further warned against the practice of blocking of roads and streets during burial ceremonies.
Furthermore, the law contains far-reaching provisions aimed at reducing ostentatious funeral ceremonies across the state, even as offenders are liable to a fine of ₦100,000, or six months’ imprisonment, or both.
Before the new development, the common practice was to present cows, goats, bags of rice and other expensive items at funerals and condolence visits in the state.
Before the new development, the common practice was to present cows, goats, bags of rice and other expensive items at funerals and condolence visits in the state.
However, the new law is intended to reduce financial burden and pressure on bereaved families and to curb oppressive practices during burials.
The legislation also aims to limit excessive spending by making food and drinks optional for guests and banning the sharing of souvenirs during funerals.
The government’s latest move is to restore order to burial ceremonies and easing the financial burden on families.
The government’s latest move is to restore order to burial ceremonies and easing the financial burden on families.
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