Obi Cubana Mum’s Funeral: Lawyer, Jimmy Abia, Identifies Some Provisions Of The New Anambra Law Which May Be Breached

A Lagos based lawyer, Jimmy Abia has identified some provisions of the New Anambra State Burial Law.

Recall that sometimes in May 2020 the Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano signed into law, a bill by the State House of Assembly regulating burial expenses in the state. The bill was sponsored by the then-member. representing Anaocha 11 constituency, Chief Charles Ezeani.

Jimmy Abia, on his Facebook page, posted that the law restrains the erection of billboards and deposit of Corps in a mortuary beyond two month.

Below are the provisions he identified,

– Section 5(1) restrains the erection of billboards, banners or posters.

– Section 6(1) disallows the deposit of corpses in a mortuary beyond two months after death.

– Section 7 bans the blocking of roads without permission of the Local Government Authority.

Section 8 is against the display of caskets for fabrication and sale.

Section 11 restrains any second funeral rites after burial.

Section 13(1) disapproves of any wake-keep of any kind. While 13(2) and (3) allows vigil mass/ service of songs/religious activity prior to burial not exceeding 9 pm, without food or drink, live band and cultural entertainers.

Section 14 restricts burial/funeral ceremonies to one day with burial mass /service commencing not later than 9 am and lasting not more than two hours.

Section 16 restricts condolence visits to one day with condolence gift items not exceeding money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer and one crate of mineral.
It also bars giving souvenir during the ceremony.

Section 19 limits undertakers to six and bars any display by the undertakers during the ceremony.

Section 21 makes the provision of food and drinks by the bereaved family optional.
Section 24 bars any demonstration by the youth within and around the town/city with the picture of the deceased.
Section 26 prohibits gunshots but allows small canon guns (nkponana).

Section 28 bans the making of brochures
Section 29 limits the mourning period and practices.”