The Anambra State Government has enacted strict new legislation to regulate funeral rites and curb extravagant burial practices across the state. Passed by the State House of Assembly, the law aims to relieve bereaved families of the heavy financial burdens traditionally associated with funerals.
Key Provisions of the Law
Under the new regulations, midweek burials are strictly prohibited, and the presentation of expensive condolence gifts—including cows and goats—is now barred. State officials emphasize that the legislation is a critical step toward ending competitive and costly funeral cultures.
Condolence gifts: 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.
Burial days: 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.
Penalties: Anyone found guilty of contravention is liable to a fine of N100,000, or six months’ imprisonment, or both.
Banned Practices
The common practice of presenting cows, goats, bags of rice and other expensive items at funerals and condolence visits is banned. 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.
Regulations on Mortuaries and Undertakers
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.
Limits on Spending and Attire
The legislation also seeks to limit excessive spending by making food and drinks optional for guests and banning the sharing of souvenirs during funerals. 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.
Enforcement and Additional Bans
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.
