By Samuel Abasiekong-Abasiekong
The Anambra State Government has introduced a stringent new burial law aimed at curbing extravagant funeral ceremonies and reducing the financial burden often associated with burials in communities across the state.
Under the new legislation, families of deceased persons are barred from receiving expensive condolence gifts during burial ceremonies. The law specifically prohibits the presentation of cows, goats and other costly items to bereaved families.
According to the provisions of the law, only limited condolence gifts are permitted, including money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of soft drinks.
The government also directed that all burial and funeral ceremonies in the state must henceforth be conducted strictly on Saturdays, banning burials from Monday to Friday. In addition, all funeral activities are to be concluded within a single day.
The legislation further seeks to discourage prolonged preservation of corpses in mortuaries. It stipulates that no corpse should remain in a mortuary for more than two months after death.
Authorities warned that any corpse kept beyond the approved period could be declared a “rejected corpse” and subsequently buried in government-designated burial grounds expected to be established in various communities across the state.
The law contains stiff penalties for violators, including a fine of ₦100,000 or a six-month jail term.
The state government said the measures are designed to restore modesty to burial ceremonies and discourage excessive spending linked to funerals in many communities.
