Many people in Southern Nigeria, especially Christians, are beginning to praise Muslims for the simple and affordable way they bury their loved ones.
This praise followed the recent burial of former President Muhammadu Buhari in his hometown, Daura, Katsina State, which was aired live for the public to see.
People were surprised at how simply the former President was buried. There was no delay at the mortuary, no fancy coffin, no expensive ceremonies, no uniforms, or long guest lists. It was a quiet and respectful burial.
Listeners on several radio shows discussed Buhari’s burial and said this kind of burial should be copied in Southern Nigeria, especially by Christians.
They appealed to traditional rulers and state governments to help stop costly funeral traditions. Many said families are pressured to spend everything they have—even selling houses—just to bury someone.
One caller, Joshua Josiah, shared how some families leave dead bodies in mortuaries for years because they can’t afford the burial costs.
He also reminded listeners that the late Senate President, Joseph Wayas, stayed in a London morgue for three years until people protested and he was finally buried.
People also blamed churches for making long demands before allowing burials. Some churches insist that the family must pay any debts the deceased owed before the person can be buried.
In response, Amah Williams, the spokesman for the Brotherhood of the Cross and Star, said his religious group buries their members quickly—within 72 hours. He said they don’t support delays, embalming, or expensive funerals, and praised Muslims for their respectful and simple way of burying the dead.
Actor and former Cross River Commissioner for Culture, Eric Anderson, also raised concern on social media. He talked about the case of “Big Willie,” a Nollywood actor from Akwa Ibom, whose body has been left in a Lagos mortuary for two years.
He blamed the delay on a family member, Mr. Effiok Udoh, who insists that only the family will decide when the burial will happen.
Anderson said the late actor’s family is ready to pay for the burial, and he’s worried that such delays are harmful spiritually for the dead.
