The Anambra State Government has introduced a new law regulating burial and funeral activities, including a ban on the presentation of cows, goats and other expensive items as condolence gifts.
The legislation, passed by the Anambra State House of Assembly, is intended to reduce the financial pressure associated with funerals and limit practices the government considers excessive.
Under the new law, burial ceremonies can only hold on Saturdays, while burials from Monday to Friday are prohibited. Funeral activities must also be concluded within one day.
The law permits condolence gifts only in the form of money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of soft drinks. The common practice of presenting livestock, bags of rice and other costly items during condolence visits has been outlawed.
Wake-keep ceremonies have also been abolished. Vigil masses, services of songs and related religious gatherings must end by 9 p.m., with no provision for food, drinks, live bands or cultural entertainment.
Other restrictions include a ban on billboards, banners and posters announcing deaths across the state. Only directional signs to burial venues are allowed, and these may not be displayed more than seven days before the burial.
The legislation also prohibits public display of caskets for advertisement or sale, as well as dancing with caskets during funerals. Undertakers are limited to six persons during burial activities.
The law further states that corpses should not remain in mortuaries for more than two months after death. Bodies held beyond that period may be classified as “rejected corpses” and buried in government-designated burial grounds to be established in communities across the state.
Souvenirs at funerals are banned, while the use of uniform attire, commonly known as *aso ebi*, is restricted to immediate family members, church groups and recognised family associations.
Second funeral rites are prohibited except in cases involving inheritance or legacy matters.
The government also outlawed practices such as road blockages during burials, destruction of property, public display of photographs of the deceased and unauthorised use of firearms at funeral events.
Violators of the law face a penalty of ₦100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
To enforce the regulations, the state plans to establish monitoring committees in communities to oversee death registration, approve burial arrangements and ensure compliance.
