Funerals in Ghana have long been significant cultural and social events, serving as a time for families to honour the dead, bring communities together, and celebrate a life well lived. However, in recent years, funerals have become increasingly extravagant, with families spending huge sums of money on lavish ceremonies.
The cost of organising a funeral has skyrocketed, sometimes leaving families in financial distress. The question is: why have funerals in Ghana become so expensive, and is there a way to reverse this trend?
1. The Pressure to Hold Grand Funerals
In many Ghanaian communities, funerals are more than just mourning the dead—they are a reflection of social status. Families feel pressured to organise elaborate funerals to prove their wealth or honour their loved ones. A simple ceremony is often seen as an embarrassment, leading many families to go to extreme lengths to put on an impressive event, even if it means borrowing money.
2. High Costs of Funeral Arrangements
Organising a funeral in Ghana involves several costly elements, including:
- Expensive Coffins: Families often spend thousands of cedis on well-designed coffins, some shaped like cars, animals, or objects that symbolised the deceased’s life.
- Funeral Cloth: Customised funeral cloth with the deceased’s image or name is a major expense. Mourners expect the family to provide matching cloth for key relatives and dignitaries.
- Catering: Funerals are treated as large social gatherings, with hundreds or even thousands of attendees expecting food and drinks. Feeding a crowd can cost as much as a wedding.
- Venue and Decorations: Families rent canopies, chairs, and elaborate decorations to make the funeral look grand.
- Musicians and Entertainment: Some funerals feature live bands, traditional dancers, and DJs, turning the event into a festival.
- Funeral Announcements: Radio, TV, and newspaper announcements, as well as large funeral posters, add to the cost.
3. Extended Funeral Celebrations
Traditional funerals used to be simple affairs, but modern funerals often span multiple days. Some families hold wake-keeping ceremonies, a grand burial, a one-week observation, and a final funeral rite weeks or months later—all requiring financial resources.
4. Religious and Cultural Expectations
Religious institutions also play a role in funeral expenses. Some churches charge high fees before officiating burial services, while traditional rites sometimes involve costly rituals. The belief that a grand funeral ensures a peaceful afterlife for the deceased further compels families to overspend.
5. Influence of Social Media and Modern Trends
With the rise of social media, funerals have become highly publicised events. Families feel the need to create visually appealing ceremonies that attract praise online. This has led to competition over who can hold the most extravagant funeral.
6. The Burden on Families
While expensive funerals may impress society, they often leave families in debt. Many people take loans, sell property, or deplete their life savings just to finance a funeral. In some cases, surviving relatives struggle to afford basic needs after spending everything on funeral arrangements.
Is There a Solution?
Ghanaians must rethink the culture of extravagant funerals and focus on more meaningful, cost-effective ways to honour the dead. Some possible solutions include:
- Encouraging Modest Funerals: Families should prioritise financial stability over societal pressure.
- Community Education: Chiefs, religious leaders, and the media can help change perceptions about funeral expenses.
- Pre-Planning Funerals: People can save towards their own funerals to reduce the burden on relatives.
- Strict Budgeting: Families should set limits on spending and avoid unnecessary extravagance.
Funerals in Ghana have shifted from simple traditions to costly social events, placing heavy financial burdens on families. While honouring the dead is important, it should not come at the expense of the living. It is time for Ghanaians to reassess funeral practices and embrace more affordable, meaningful ways of celebrating life.
