•Offenders risk ₦100,000 fine, six months imprisonment

By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Government of Anambra State has introduced new burial laws which include a ban on expensive gift items like goats, cows, and other lavish gifts during condolence visits.

Under the regulation, “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 drink.”

The law outlaws the common practice of presenting goats, cows, bags of rice, and other costly sundry items at funerals and condolence visits.

Offenders are liable to a fine of ₦100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.

The registration passed by the state Assembly contains far-reaching provisions aimed at reducing outrageous burial ceremonies across the state.

The bill further reads: "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 9:00 p.m., and no food, drinks, live bands, or cultural entertainment may be provided during such events.

"The aw 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 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."

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, umu ada and iyom di where applicable.

According to the bill, 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.

Meanwhile, observers have described the move as a major step toward curbing extravagant funeral practices that have long placed heavy financial pressure on bereaved families.