Don't Display Caskets, Don't Deposit Corpses Beyond 2 Months, Anambra Warns Residents, Indigenes

The Anambra State Government has read the riot act to indigenes and residents of the state over handling of corpses.

Among others, it banned the deposit of corpses in the mortuary or any other place beyond two months from the date of death, warning that henceforth, the state will no longer tolerate any public display of caskets. 

The order is contained in a law enacted by the state assembly which seeks to control burial and funeral ceremony activities in the state.

State governor, professor who signed the bill into law, commended the law makers for the legislation, describing it as a very progressive law aimed at removing pressure on the poor, including liberating women from oppressive practices during burials. 

“Anambra Burial Law is a very Progressive law to remove the burden and pressure on the poor as well as liberate women from oppressive practices during burials.

“We celebrate “befitting living” and only a decent funeral,” he said. 

In line with the provisions of the law, all mortuary attendants are henceforth mandated to report any corpse that has stayed beyond one month ban from the date it was deposited, to the Ministry of Health.

Contravening the law will attract a N100,000 fine or six months imprisonment or both.

The second tranche of the law says there shall be no public display of caskets either for fabrication and sale. It warned that defaulters will pay a fine of N50,000 or one-month imprisonment or both.

The law also requires all burial and funeral ceremonies to be registered.

According to the law, all burial and funeral ceremonies of indigenous deceased persons in the state shall be registered with the town union of the indigenous deceased person, with the registration fee for each burial and funeral ceremony pegged at N1, 500

The law equally prohibits the blocking of roads and streets during burial ceremonies, warning that the reverse will only be at the instance of due permission from the appropriate Local Government Authority.