When someone dies, the next thing is to bury the dead. But there are strange things we do especially in Africa in the name of culture which suggest that we care more for the dead than we do for the living. At burial ceremonies, the amount of money that is spent is appalling.
Rev. Fr. Godfrey Gopep, the Parish Priest of St. Finbarr’s Catholic Church, Rayfield, Jos, has advised Christians to desist from organizing expensive burial but rather use the money for the less privileged.
Gopep, who is also the Chaplain, Plateau Government House Chapel, gave the advice in his sermon on Sunday, September 25 in Jos. The cleric, who decried the high cost of burial, particularly among Christians, said that the ceremony which is supposed to be solemn had become a ”show” in society.
According to NAN, he explained that organizing an expensive burial for a loved one is not a guarantee that the deceased would make heaven, hence, should be done moderately.
”I have observed that most Christian burials are expensive; we sink a huge amount of money to bury our loved ones.
”Sometimes, those who donated the huge sums for the burial didn’t support the deceased when he or she was alive and needed the help most.
”It has become like a show and competition among families; I heard that some churches now demand a fee before they conduct funerals.
”So, I want to strongly advise Christians to cut down how they spend huge amounts to bury the dead and learn to support people when they are alive,” he advised.
Gopep also advised Christians to desist from expensive lifestyles and cater to the needs of the poor and the less-privileged persons in society.
In the Southeastern part of Nigeria, the Igbos carry out the most expensive burial rite/ceremony. Burial rites are taken very seriously. There is a long age standing culture of burying the dead in accordance with cultures, traditions, and even religion.