The Anambra State Government has banned public display of caskets either for fabrication or for sale within the state.
This decision was formalized through a legislation passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday, aimed at regulating burial and funeral proceedings in the state.
The law provides that mortuary attendants must report any corpse that exceeds one month in the mortuary to the Ministry of Health.
It further stated that violators of the provisions face penalties of either a N100,000 fine, six months imprisonment, or both.
Furthermore, the law requires all burial and funeral ceremonies for indigenous deceased individuals in the state to be registered with the deceased’s town union while it prohibits the obstruction of roads and streets during burial events unless authorized by the appropriate Local Government Authority.
In response to the legislation, Governor Chukwuma Soludo commended the Assembly for their progressive initiative.
“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.
