Expensive funerals banned in Anambra state

The Anambra State House of Assembly has just passed a bill that banned expensive funerals in the state.

The bill entitled a Law To Control Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Activities in the State, was passed into law, making it an offence to hold a funeral for more than a day in the state.

Before this development, communities had held funerals on an average of three days, but the bill sponsored by the member representing Anaocha II constituency, Charles Ezeani stated that “Burial/funeral control bill is aimed at cutting down the cost of burial activities in the state”.

According to the bill, it seeks to curtail and cut down the cost of burial activities in the state and to prosecute offenders.

The bill provides that in the event of death, no person shall deposit any corps at the mortuary or any other place beyond two months from the date of demise.

It further added that burial ceremonies in the state shall be for one day.

The bill further stipulates that during burial and funeral ceremonial activities, the family of the deceased shall provide entertainment for their kindred, relatives and other sympathizers at their own discretion.

The bill also places ban on destruction of property, gun shots, praise singing, blocking of roads and streets as defaulters would be punished according to the law.

The bill also noted that from the commencement of the law, no person shall subject any relation of the deceased person to a mourning period of more than one week from the date of burial ceremony.

The sponsor of the bill, Hon.Ezeani said the bill has provision for monitoring and implementation committee that would enforce the law.

The speaker of the House, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu commended the lawmakers for passing a bill that would stop unnecessary burial expenses in Anambra state.