Saturdays are a time of social gathering, and for many this does not occur at the chop bar down the street but rather at funerals. Elaborate funerals celebrating the deceased are a commonplace in Ghana, and while these events are well cherished, they are extremely costly to those of this developing country. The recent press release by the family of the revered late former Vice President Paa Kwesi Bekoe Amissah-Arthur illustrates such sentiments. They declared that they would not be printing a special cloth for his burial ceremony, as they are “not behind” the practice and they do expect the public to mourn with them in any special funeral cloth or garment.
A fairly average funeral can cost from GHC 25,000 – 30,000 or USD 5,200 – 6,200. However, Ghana’s GDP per capita is just USD 1,500. Funerals poses many costs; there are costs incurred from mortuaries, cemeteries, hearses, coffins, announcement brochures, cloth, and refreshments.
The first discussion of finances when a family member dies, especially if they were the main financial provider, should be about the households financial stability, not about how much can be allocated to the funeral. Families are commonly forced to take out loans or borrow money informally for these events. While some families do receive donations during such a time, these are often put towards repayment of funeral costs rather than being used to help establish a stable future. A higher price paid doesn’t equate to a higher level of respect towards the deceased.
Islamic funeral practices are quite moderate and quick, and while Christianity also preaches frugality, the funerals associated with it are the most elaborate.
One can make the argument that funeral practices should not be altered as they are good for the economy. That is true, the many associated costs of funerals pump considerable amounts of money into the economy. But using that money for other household investments, such as education, ultimately better lead to economic growth. A one-time purchase of the necessary supplies for a funeral is not as beneficial for an economy as ensuring a decent education for a child, increasing their social capital, becoming a higher functioning member of society.
This point of frugality and better investment was summed up additionally in the family’s press release. “Indeed the funeral cloth printed with the photo of former Vice President Amissah-Arthur runs counter to the values that he stood for … He was always of the view that resources, no matter how little, could be put to more profitable causes such as the education of children.”
These sentiments, which have still yet to become majority opinion, are nothing new. Illustrated by politician Alban Bagbin’s past statement that, “We are investing in the dead rather than the living … and that is bad.”
The world is not stagnant, life has changed, and while culture and traditions must still remain respected and celebrated as they reinforce unity, values, and memorialization of the past, they can reform and modernize to better fit the current world.
By Andrew David
