Anambra bans cows, goats at funerals in new burial law

The Anambra State Government has introduced new burial regulations aimed at curbing extravagant funeral practices, including a ban on expensive condolence gifts such as cows, goats, and other costly items.

Under the new law, “No person shall give to the deceased person’s family as a condolence gift any item exceeding money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer, and one crate of soft drink.”

The legislation effectively outlaws the common practice of presenting livestock, bags of rice, and other expensive items during condolence visits and funeral ceremonies.

Offenders risk a fine of ₦100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.

The law, passed by the State House of Assembly, contains wide-ranging provisions designed to reduce excessive spending and streamline burial ceremonies across the state.

It stipulates that all burial ceremonies must be completed within one day, while wake-keep ceremonies have been abolished entirely.

It further states that vigil masses, services of songs and related religious activities must end by 9:00 p.m., with no food, drinks, live bands or cultural entertainment allowed during such events.

The law also prohibits the erection of billboards, banners and posters of deceased persons across the state, allowing only directional signs to burial venues, which must not be displayed earlier than seven days before the event.

In addition, public display of caskets for advertisement and dancing with caskets have been banned, while undertakers are limited to six persons during burial activities.

Corpses must not remain in mortuaries for more than two months, after which they risk being classified as “rejected corpses” and may be buried in government-designated burial grounds to be established in communities.

The legislation also seeks to limit funeral expenses by making food and drinks optional for guests and banning the distribution of souvenirs during burial ceremonies.

Second burial rites are prohibited except in legacy-related cases, while the wearing of uniform attire popularly known as aso ebi is restricted to immediate family members, church groups, umunna, umuada and iyom di where applicable.

To ensure compliance, the government said Monitoring and Implementation Committees will be established across communities to oversee death registration, approve burial arrangements and enforce adherence to the new rules.

The government described the reform as a necessary step to reduce financial pressure on bereaved families and restore order to burial ceremonies in the state.