Anambra State has introduced a strict new burial law banning midweek funerals, wake-keep ceremonies, and the presentation of expensive condolence gifts such as cows and goats during burial rites.
The legislation, recently passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly, is aimed at regulating funeral activities, reducing excessive spending, and easing financial pressure on bereaved families across the state.
Under the new law, all burial ceremonies must now take place strictly on Saturdays and be completed within a single day, effectively outlawing funerals held between Monday and Friday.
The law also places limits on condolence gifts, stating that mourners are only permitted to present money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer, and one crate of soft drinks to grieving families.
By the new regulation, the common practice of donating cows, goats, bags of rice, and other costly items during condolence visits and funerals has been prohibited.
Authorities said the move is intended to curb lavish funeral ceremonies that often place heavy economic burdens on families and disrupt productivity during working days.
The legislation further abolishes wake-keep ceremonies and restricts vigil masses, services of songs, and other religious activities to end no later than 9 p.m. It also bans the provision of food, drinks, live bands, and cultural entertainment during such events.
In another major provision, the government prohibited the erection of billboards, banners, and posters of deceased persons across the state, allowing only directional signs to burial venues not earlier than seven days before the burial date.
The law also bars public display of caskets for advertisement, bans dancing with caskets, and limits undertakers participating in funeral activities to six persons.
According to the legislation, corpses are not expected to remain in mortuaries for more than two months after death. Any corpse left beyond the approved period risks being classified as a “rejected corpse” and may be buried in government-designated burial grounds to be established in communities across the state.
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The law also makes food and drinks optional for guests and prohibits the sharing of souvenirs at funerals as part of efforts to discourage extravagant spending.
In addition, second funeral rites have been outlawed except in inheritance or legacy-related matters, while the use of uniform attire popularly known as “aso ebi” has been restricted to immediate family members, church groups, and recognised family associations.
To ensure compliance, the state government said monitoring and implementation committees would be established in various communities to supervise funeral activities and enforce adherence to the law.
The legislation also outlawed certain traditional youth practices considered disruptive, including destruction of crops and property, unauthorised use of firearms during burials, and public displays deemed capable of causing disorder.
The Anambra State Government said the new measures are designed to restore order to burial ceremonies, reduce social pressure on families, and discourage excessive spending associated with funerals in the state.