In a stern declaration, the Anambra State Government has reaffirmed the implementation of its burial laws, warning residents of the state against any infringement. The directive was officially conveyed in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Sir Paul Nwosu, on Friday.
The state government underlined that the Anambra State Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Control Law, passed by the House of Assembly on April 9, 2019, remains in full force and effect.
The statement released by the Commissioner read, “It has come to the attention of the government that the burial law of the state is frequently disregarded by Ndi-Anambra. The government hereby wishes to emphasize that the law is still in place and is 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 specifies that the burial/funeral ceremonies of a native deceased person should commence with the registration and payment of N1,500 to the town union.
“No individual is permitted to erect any billboard, banner, or posters of the deceased. Only directional posts are allowed. These directional posts must not be set up earlier than seven days before the burial date and must be removed no later than seven days after the burial date.”
The Commissioner went on to caution that individuals who violate these provisions could face a fine of N100,000 or imprisonment for six months, or both.
He further explained, “No person shall deposit a corpse in the mortuary beyond two months from the date of death. Any person who contravenes this shall pay a fine of N100,000 or serve an imprisonment term of six months, or both.
“No person is allowed to block a road for any burial unless permission is obtained from the appropriate local government authority.
“No individual shall publicly display a casket for the purpose of fabrication and sale in the state, with offenders liable to pay a fine of N50,000 or face a one-month jail term, or both.
“There shall be no second funeral rites after the burial, except in the case of a legacy.
“There shall be no wake-keep of any kind for any deceased person in the state. All vigil masses/service of songs/religious activities for the deceased before burial shall end no later than 9 pm.
“There shall be no provision of food, drink, live bands, or cultural entertainment during and after any vigil mass/service of songs/religious activity for the deceased.”
According to the new enforcement, all burial/funeral ceremonies must be limited to a single day. Burial masses/services must commence no later than 9 am and should not exceed a duration of two hours.
“No preserved corpse shall be exposed for more than 30 minutes. The number of undertakers should not exceed six, and there shall be no display by undertakers during the burial ceremony.
“There shall be no burials on any local market day of every town in the state. Funeral brochures shall not be created, except for the Order of Mass/Service.
“No person shall impose a mourning period of more than one week on any relative of a deceased person from the date of burial/funeral.
“The magistrate court shall have original jurisdiction over matters specified under the Anambra Burial Law, to the exclusion of any other court,” the statement concluded.
Anambra residents are advised to adhere to these regulations to avoid potential legal consequences as the state government reiterates its commitment to enforcing these burial laws.