The Anambra State Government has introduced a new burial law aimed at regulating funeral practices, banning extravagant condolence gifts and restricting burial ceremonies to Saturdays only.
The legislation, passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly, seeks to reduce excessive spending during funerals and ease the financial pressure often placed on grieving families.
According to details of the law obtained on Monday, the government said the reforms are intended to improve economic productivity, discourage lavish funeral ceremonies and prevent prolonged burial activities from disrupting working days across the state.
Under the new regulations, midweek burials from Monday to Friday have been prohibited, while all burial ceremonies must now take place and end within a single day.
The law also places strict limits on condolence gifts presented to bereaved families.
“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.”
The legislation specifically bans the common practice of presenting cows, goats, bags of rice and other expensive items during condolence visits and funeral ceremonies.
Authorities said the move is designed to remove financial burdens and reduce societal pressure on families during burial arrangements.
The law further states that offenders could face a fine of ₦100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
In addition, wake-keep ceremonies have been completely abolished under the new rules.
“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 use of billboards, banners and posters displaying images of deceased persons across the state.
“Only directional signs leading to burial venues are permitted, and they cannot be displayed earlier than seven days before the burial date.”
Other restrictions include a ban on public display of caskets for sale or advertisement and the prohibition of dancing with caskets during funeral ceremonies.
“Undertakers are limited to six persons during funeral activities.”
The legislation further directs that corpses must not remain in mortuaries for more than two months after 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 law also discourages excessive funeral spending by making food and drinks optional for guests and banning the sharing of souvenirs at burial ceremonies.
“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 ensure compliance, the government said monitoring and implementation committees would be created in communities across the state to oversee death registrations, approve burial ceremonies and monitor adherence to the law.
The legislation also outlaws certain traditional youth activities considered disruptive during burials.
“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 government said the new measures are intended to restore order to funeral ceremonies and reduce the economic burden associated with burials in the state.
The law additionally warns against the blocking of roads and streets during funeral activities.
