The Anambra State Government has introduced stringent measures to regulate funerals, including a ban on the public display of caskets for extended periods and depositing corpses in mortuaries beyond two months.
Governor Charles Soludo applauded the State House of Assembly for this progressive Anambra Burial Law, aiming to alleviate the financial burden on the less privileged and liberate women from oppressive burial practices.
He said, “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.”
Under this law, mortuary attendants must report any corpse in their care for over one month to the Ministry of Health.
Violating the law could result in a fine of N100,000, six months imprisonment, or both.
The law also penalizes individuals engaging in the public display, fabrication, or sale of caskets with a fine of N50,000, along with possible one month imprisonment.
To ensure accountability, all burial and funeral ceremonies for indigenous deceased persons must be registered with the town union, accompanied by a registration fee of N1,500.
The state government further cautioned against road blocking during burial ceremonies, permitting such actions only with the explicit permission of the local government authority.