Anambra govt bans midweek burials, expensive condolence gifts in new funeral law

The Anambra State Government has introduced a new law imposing strict regulations on burial and funeral practices across the state, including a ban on midweek burials and the presentation of costly condolence gifts such as cows and goats.

The legislation, recently passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly, is aimed at reducing extravagant funeral ceremonies that often place heavy financial pressure on grieving families.

According to the state government, the new law is also designed to improve productivity and reduce disruptions to official and business activities caused by lengthy funeral events held during working days.

Under the new law, all burial ceremonies are to be conducted on Saturdays only, with midweek burials from Monday to Friday now prohibited. Funeral activities are also required to be completed within a single day.

The law places limits on condolence gifts, stating that no person shall present items exceeding “money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of soft drinks” to a bereaved family.

It also abolishes wake-keep ceremonies and restricts vigil masses, services of songs and similar religious activities to end by 9pm, with no food, drinks, live bands or entertainment allowed during such events.

The legislation further bans the display of caskets for advertisement or sale and prohibits dancing with coffins during funerals. Undertakers are also restricted to a maximum of six persons.

In addition, corpses are not to remain in mortuaries for more than two months, after which they may be classified as “rejected corpses” and buried in designated government burial grounds.

The law also prohibits the use of billboards, banners and posters of the deceased, except for directional signs placed not earlier than seven days before burial.

It further restricts the use of “aso ebi” attire to immediate family members and certain community groups, while outlawing practices such as road blockages, destruction of property, and unauthorised use of firearms during burial ceremonies.

Offenders are liable to a fine of ₦100,000, six months’ imprisonment, or both.

The state government said the reforms are designed to promote modesty in funeral rites, reduce economic pressure on families, and restore order to burial ceremonies across Anambra State.