The Anambra State Government has introduced a new law regulating burial and funeral practices across the state, aimed at reducing excessive spending and restoring order to funeral ceremonies.
Under the legislation, burials are now restricted to Saturdays and must be completed within one day, while midweek burials from Monday to Friday are prohibited. Wake-keep ceremonies have also been abolished.
The law bans the giving of expensive condolence gifts such as cows, goats, bags of rice, and other costly items, allowing only limited items like money, a jar of palm wine, a carton of beer, and a crate of soft drinks.
It also places restrictions on funeral activities, including banning live bands, food distribution, souvenirs, casket displays, dancing with coffins, and erection of posters or billboards for the deceased.
In addition, corpses are not allowed to remain in mortuaries for more than two months, and burial ceremonies must end by 9pm. Violators risk fines of ₦100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
The government says the law is designed to reduce financial pressure on families, discourage lavish burials, and ensure funeral events do not disrupt normal activities in the state.