In a bid to regulate burial and funeral practices, the Anambra State Government has implemented a ban on the public display of caskets intended for fabrication and sale within the state. The state House of Assembly passed legislation on Thursday, outlining various measures to govern these activities.
According to the newly enacted law, mortuary attendants are required to report any corpse that has been in their care for more than one month to the Ministry of Health. Violations of this provision could result in a fine of N100,000, a six-month imprisonment, or both.
The legislation also mandates that all burial and funeral ceremonies for indigenous deceased individuals must be registered with the deceased’s town union. The law emphasizes the importance of avoiding road and street obstructions during burial ceremonies, stating that such activities can only be carried out with permission from the appropriate Local Government Authority.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo commended the state House of Assembly for their progressive approach to burial practices, describing the Anambra Burial Law as a crucial step to alleviate the financial burden on the poor and to liberate women from oppressive practices associated with burials. The new regulations aim to streamline and bring discipline to funeral proceedings in Anambra State.
