Anambra State has introduced a new law regulating burial ceremonies, banning midweek funerals and prohibiting the presentation of expensive items such as cows, goats and other costly gifts to bereaved families during condolence visits.
The legislation, recently passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly, is aimed at reducing what the government describes as excessive funeral spending and long-standing practices that place heavy financial pressure on families.
Under the new law, all burials in the state must now hold strictly on Saturdays, while funerals from Monday to Friday have been prohibited. The government also directed that all burial activities must be concluded within a single day.
The law further limits condolence gifts to cash, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of soft drinks. Traditional gifts such as livestock, bags of rice and other expensive items often presented during funerals are no longer allowed.
The administration of Charles Soludo said the policy is intended to discourage extravagant burial practices, improve productivity and prevent funeral ceremonies from disrupting normal business and work activities.
The law also abolishes wake-keep ceremonies entirely. Religious activities such as vigil masses and service of songs must end by 9 p.m., and organisers are barred from serving food, drinks, live music or cultural entertainment during such events.
In addition, the public display of posters, banners and billboards announcing the death of individuals has been banned across the state. Only directional signs to burial venues will be permitted, and these can only be displayed within seven days to the event.
Other provisions in the law prohibit dancing with caskets, displaying coffins for commercial advertisement and keeping corpses in mortuaries for more than two months after death. Any body left beyond that period may be classified as a rejected corpse and buried in designated government burial grounds.
The law also restricts the wearing of uniform funeral attire, popularly known as aso ebi, to immediate family members and selected traditional or religious groups. Sharing souvenirs at funeral ceremonies has also been outlawed.
Violators of the law risk a fine of ₦100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
To ensure compliance, the state government said monitoring committees will be set up in various communities to oversee registration of deaths, approve burial arrangements and enforce the new rules.
The government said the measures are part of efforts to restore moderation to funeral practices and ease the social and economic burden often faced by grieving families.