By Sonny Iroche
Introduction
In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a cultural shift in how communities handle the death of loved ones. Gone are the days when families relied primarily on close kin and neighbors for support in organizing funerals. Instead, a new practice has emerged—forming ‘Committees of Friends’ to raise funds for lavish burials. While this may seem like a noble gesture, it reflects a concerning trend: the increasing commodification and public performance of grief. Shakespeare’s timeless observation that ‘Death is a necessary end, that will come when it will come’ reminds us that dignity in death must not come at the cost of unnecessary burden on the living. This essay explores how funeral insurance can restore financial and emotional balance to Nigerian funerary practices.
The Evolution of Nigerian Funeral Culture
Traditionally, Nigerian funerals were community-led events grounded in cultural and spiritual beliefs. Families, friends, and neighbors would rally around the bereaved, contributing food, livestock, labor, and cash voluntarily. In Igbo, Yoruba, Hausa, and many other ethnic groups, the burial of a loved one was an intimate and reverent affair. However, as society modernized and urbanized, the nature of funerals transformed. Social status, prestige, and public display began to play larger roles. Funerals are now sometimes seen as an opportunity to showcase wealth or honor the deceased through extravagant events. This evolution has led to a rise in financial pressure on bereaved families who feel obligated to meet rising expectations.
The Rise of Committees of Friends
The ‘Committee of Friends’ is an informal group of friends, associates, or colleagues that organizes to raise funds and support a bereaved family. Often, these committees are created immediately after a death and begin their task through social media platforms like WhatsApp. While they are meant to offer support, they also reflect a growing cultural dependence on public fundraising to meet funeral costs. Unfortunately, many families have come to rely entirely on such committees, expecting friends and distant acquaintances to fund most or all of the burial. This has diluted the original communal ethos of mutual care, replacing it with performative generosity. At times, more resources go into planning the fundraising event than into comforting the family.
The Rising Cost of Dying in Nigeria
Funerals in Nigeria have become an expensive affair. The average cost ranges from ₦10 million for basic burials in rural areas to over ₦500 million in urban centers for high-profile ceremonies. These costs include embalming, casket purchase, mortuary fees, venue hire, catering, music, obituary adverts, clothing (Aso Ebi), and transportation. In some cultures, additional ceremonies such as wake-keeping, church thanksgiving, and anniversary celebrations are customary. These mounting expenses often leave families in debt. Some delay burials for months to raise enough money, while others cut essential costs or sell property. This financial burden exacerbates grief and pushes families into cycles of hardship.
Global Perspectives: Funeral Insurance in Other Countries
Around the world, funeral insurance is a common financial product designed to ease the burden of burial costs. In South Africa, companies like AVBOB and Old Mutual offer family-wide funeral cover with added benefits such as free services. In the United States, companies like Colonial Penn and Mutual of Omaha provide final expense insurance plans that pay out amounts between $5,000 and $25,000 upon death. The UK offers Over-50s plans through firms like SunLife and Legal & General. Closer to home, Ghana and Kenya have embraced mobile funeral insurance. In Ghana, aYo (powered by MTN) allows mobile users to subscribe to funeral cover for as low as 1 cedi daily. Kenya’s Britam and CIC Insurance offer funeral policies through banks and saccos, making them accessible to informal sector workers.
Why Nigeria Needs Funeral Insurance
Funeral insurance offers several key benefits. First, it ensures affordability. With small, regular premiums, policyholders can prepare for inevitable expenses without resorting to emergency fundraising. Second, it restores dignity. Families can grieve in peace, rather than engage in financial appeals during mourning. Third, insurance is sustainable. It creates a structured safety net that does not rely on social pressure or personal connections. Lastly, funeral insurance encourages financial planning. By bundling it with mobile money platforms, it becomes accessible to Nigeria’s vast unbanked population. With nearly 40 million Nigerians working in the informal sector, insurance companies have an untapped market. Funeral insurance also creates new revenue streams for insurers while promoting social impact.
Charting a Path Forward: Policy, Products, and Public Awareness
Nigeria must act decisively to embed funeral insurance into its financial landscape. First, insurance companies should create simple, mobile-first products with flexible premiums, especially for low-income earners. Second, partnerships with telcos, banks, cooperatives, and churches can broaden access and trust. Third, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) can provide incentives or regulatory frameworks to promote funeral insurance uptake. Fourth, public education campaigns are essential. Traditional and social media should emphasize the value of funeral cover. Religious leaders, Nollywood celebrities, and influencers can help normalize insurance culture, making it aspirational and relatable. Digital apps and bulk SMS can also be used to drive awareness.
Changing the Narrative: Celebrate the Living, Prepare for the Inevitable
Nigeria must change its cultural mindset around death. Lavish burials should not substitute for love, care, and support shown during life. Committees of Friends should not be a default financial plan. It is time to shift from spectacle to substance. Instead of planning elaborate ceremonies, families should prioritize elder care, access to healthcare, and education. Funeral insurance helps achieve this by providing a structured, dignified way to deal with life’s final reality. More importantly, it allows society to refocus on celebrating the living rather than overemphasizing the dead. Respecting the dead should not impoverish the living.
Conclusion
Death, though painful, is inevitable. Nigeria’s current approach to funerals—with increasing reliance on committees and costly events—is unnecessary and unsustainable. While the intention behind fundraising may be noble, it often places undue strain on both the bereaved and contributors. Funeral insurance offers a practical, respectful alternative that aligns with financial prudence and cultural dignity. By developing inclusive insurance products, partnering with distribution networks, and launching national awareness campaigns, Nigeria can revolutionize how it manages death. It’s time to prepare for the inevitable with wisdom and compassion, not pressure and debt.
