Why are funeral rites expensive in Ghana?

Answer 1

Whilst the actual funeral services, wakes, etc., are relatively inexpensive, based upon average funeral costs in different parts of the world, what raises the cost so dramatically are the coffins or receptacles used for the burial.

Coffins are custom designed, reflecting an important characteristic of the deceased's life, or perhaps in tribute to an aspiration the deceased may have had. Many of the coffins are hand-carved from soft woods, or a combination of plaster, chicken wire, and papier-mâché.

Some of the more memorable coffins have included a larger than life-sized Coca Cola bottle, A giant Nikon camera, numerous luxury vehicles - ranging from race cars to Mercedes limousines. Many coffins have been designed to resemble massive wing-spread eagles, or hawks, or giant tarpons, whales, and sharks.

One coffin that hit the international media several years back was when the grandmother of a gentleman who worked in the carpentry business died. His boss was a highly talented craftsman. The employee rather wistfully spoke about his grandmother's life and mentioned that she had never once been on an aeroplane.

This gave his boss an idea. He decided to build a replica of a DC-10-30, complete with Ghana Airways livery, to 'fly' his valued employee's grandmother towards the heavens.

The elaborate details and creativity of these coffins sometimes match the great artists of the world. The designs are done not only with creative style, but with empathy, compassion, and respect.

And today, the limitations to creating these amazing works of funerary art is only the bounds of your imagination.