Authorities urged to regulate spending on funerals

A Minister of the Gospel, has suggested to traditional authorities to institute rules in their areas of jurisdiction to regulate the amount of monies expended on funerals as well as the conduct of mourners during such events.

The Reverend Joseph K. Gyimah, Founder of the True Light of Christ Church, said the chiefs should not only set the rules but also back them up with the setting up of a committee to see to the full enforcement of such rules.

Rev. Gyimah made the suggestion when he addressed the first forum of pastors of the True Light of Christ Church for the year at Abrepo, Kumasi on Sunday.

He said, it is a known fact that funerals which are supposed to be mournful situations, have in recent times become a platform for large in-take of alcoholic beverages and preparation of very expensive foods.

"This apart, it has now become an occasion for the affluent to exhibit their wealth in the form of expensive clothes, while also serving as a ground for unscrupulous youth to engage in immoral acts", he noted.

Rev. Gyimah said these developments do not augur well for the serenity and soberness associated with funerals, but only seek to undermine the uniqueness of such sorrowful events.

He said this underscores why the intervention of traditional authorities has now become more necessary than ever before.

"Posterity will never pardon chiefs, who happen to be the custodians of our culture and values, if they continue to look on unconcerned while the generation of today turn funerals into merry-making and love making events", Rev. Gyimah cautioned.

He also appealed to churches to get actively involved in the preservation of the uniqueness of funerals by using the pulpits to continuously educate their congregation on the need to avoid the use of expensive clothes, alcohol and making fun during the event.

The FM Stations too, Rev. Gyimah advised, should not only concentrate on announcements on funerals, but also set aside air time to enlighten bereaved families on the need to cut down on their spending on funerals.