Anambra Assembly Moves To Control Excesses In Burial Ceremonies

The State House of Assembly has passed a bill for a law to control burial and funeral ceremonial activities in Anambra State.

The bill which is sponsored by Honourable Charles Ezeani, representing Anaocha Two Constitiency was passed during yesterday’s plenary after it was considered at the committee of the whole.

The Anambra State Burial and Funeral Ceremonial Activities Bill is aimed at cutting down the cost of burial activities in the state.

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, while burial ceremonies in the state shall be for one day.

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

The bill places ban on destruction of property, gun shots, praise singing, blocking of roads and streets during burial ceremony in the state as defaulters shall be punished according to the law.

It made it clear 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.

Speaking on the Bill, the sponsor, Honourable Ezeani revealed that the Bill also put in place a monitoring and implementation committee that will enforce the law as well as their responsibilities.

On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Sir Hafford Oseke described the bill as à welcome development as it has put to rest high cost of burial and ceremonial activities in the state.

Speaker of the House, Mrs. Rita Maduagwu commended the lawmakers for passing a bill that will arrest unnecessary burial expenses in Anambra State.