Modern Funeral Rites during COVID-19 Pandemic
Covid-19 pandemic brought about changes in our normal lifestyles and cultural practices. Modern funeral rites for the dead have been altered as a result of the impact of the pandemic. It is important to note that modern funeral rites in the South Eastern part of Nigeria is an expensive ceremonial show in the guise to give the dead a befitting burial. It is devoid of emotional and physical support that was given by relatives, it has become a strategized, subordinating and institutionalized economic venture by the rich who have made it look real. This paper looks at the psychosocial implications of covid-19 pandemic on funeral rites. This study is historical and used oral stories, self witness, literatures, and comparative time analysis as its methodology. It is the contention of this paper that the exploitative system of funeral can be checked through government intervention as was seen during the covid-19 pandemic lockdown. There is also need for alternative social and psychological support system for the bereaved to enable them cope with grief and pain of losing a loved one since the traditional support system of people gathering for condolence visits have been restricted for fear of covid-19 outbreak.
