ICIR
THE Anambra State Government, has warned residents violating its burial laws currently being enforced by the state that they risk possible jail terms.
In a statement issued on October 20, 2023, the Commissioner for Information, Paul Nwosu, said the House of Assembly had on April 9, 2019, enacted the Anambra State Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Control Law.
“It has come to the attention of the government that the burial law of the state is only observed in the breach by Ndi-Anambra. Government hereby wishes to re-emphasise that the law is still in existence and applicable to burial and funeral ceremonies in Anambra state.
“The House of Assembly of Anambra State had on April 9, 2019 enacted the Anambra State Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Control Law. The law states that the burial/funeral ceremonies of an indigenous deceased person should commence with the registration and payment of N1,500 to the town union.
“No person shall erect any billboard, banner or posters of the deceased. Persons are allowed to erect only directional posts. No directional post shall be erected before seven days to the burial date and should be removed not later than seven days after the burial date,” the statement said.
The commissioner warned that violators of the provisions face a fine of N100,000 or six-month jail term or both.
“No person is allowed to block a road for any burial except with permission from the appropriate local government authority.
“No person shall publicly display a casket for the purpose of fabrication and sale in the state, and any person who contravenes is liable to pay a fine of N50,000 or go to jail for one month or both.
The burial law also stated that there shall be no second funeral rites after burial except in the case of legacy.
It further stated that there shall be no wake-keep of any kind for any deceased person in the state. All vigil-mass/service of songs/religious activity for the deceased prior to burial shall terminate latest by 9:00 p.m.
“There shall be no food, drink, live band, cultural entertainers during and after any vigil-mass/service of songs/religious activity for the deceased,” the commissioner said…
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