Are Expensive Funerals Necessary?

Really? I guess the reason for all the extravagant funerals is because the concept of death is not understood by most people. It is a solemn occasion. . . not one for making a social statement.

while its absolutely unnecessary, i know the relatives tend to be a bit relieved if  a befitting burial is done. some see it as a mark of respect, but i guess people are overdoing it today. its of no use if the person died wretched.

Not necessary but some cultures demand an expensive funeral especially if the person in question held a chieftancy title.

@ Cicero

My goodness, amazing pictures! What a burial indeed, ingredients for an earthbound soul! 

In our society today the rich can do no less than show it while the poor strive to emulate n not be left out of the show.

I think we have boxed ourselves into a corner because we compare what happened at this man's funeral wit the other's all the while striving to emulate certain things we have observed n even vow to surpass it.

We forget that death is the great leveler. Every man is reduced to a piece of meat by death n the wrapping of the body in glitter or the festivities that follow have no mean for death itself. However we can't rule out that it has mean for those of us still alive to witness it. To some it's comfort to others pride. Whatever the funeral event does mean to u I would say do it to your hearts content.

I personally like the western way of burial. A service in church wit the deceased in view in a casket while people speakin a little about him/her, a trip to the graveyard for prayers n commital to earth, a trip back to deceased house for commisseration with family then u go home end of story.

Societal expectations may not be easily cast aside but it should not become a burden. So what if he/she was a titleholder? Did he/she leave behind sufficient a legacy to execute a 'befitting' burial? Did his/her children/family celebrate/pamper him/her when alive? These n other questions are more relevant than what society expects.

To summarise expensive funerals while unnecessary mean contain meaning for it's doers but we don't all have to follow the bandwagon.

  "Why not give the deceased-to-be those lovely flowers when she would feel its colours and fragrance? Why not buy that expensive cloth when she would love to smile putting it on? Why not show her those smiles of yours when she would have felt relaxed that she had you around? Why not kill that cow during her birthday ceremony? Why not borrow money from anywhere now for her to be in good health (even though borrowing money for  burial is easy). Fellow nairalanders, I will only permit the expensive funeral if when the deceased was alive, she was given more expensive care

All I know is my grandfather's funeral is costing more than my brother's and my college tuition combined. Of course, my grandfather was a great man and deserves a good burial, but geeeeez- must the entire village be invited?! That's a LOT of rice!

Entirely Unnessary!!!

expensive funerals are a total waste of money;i concurr with house.nigerians should begin to think about cremating the dead

easier said than done

VERY VERY unnecessary It is simply waist of time and money,  it doesnt wort it,

for where? people just forget that the dead is aware of nothing so whatsoever you do for him/her, he/she is absolutely unaware of that. wether you gave his/her body a befitting burial or not can never change where he/she spends enternity. wether we bury them in hundred million dollars casket or not "HELL" or "HEAVEN" is still their destination

Chritians should learn from certain Great Ones in the simplicity of burial of the dead!

Taking it a bit further, cemetery and graves ought to be done away with. If we need reminders of the dead, images does a better job of that. I've already made a will that my body should be cremated and the ash scattered without funfare.

i don't think expensive burial is necessary at all . its jst wasting of resourses.