Fashola Signs Bill Legalising Cremation

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), Monday assented to a bill legalising cremation of bodies in the state. Before signing the bill into law, the governor explained that cremation was voluntary, adding that its enactment showed how the concept of globalisation had taken its roots in the state.

Speaking extensively on the cremation law, the attorney-general said it allowed
only voluntary cremation, adding:  “It allows for voluntary cremation, whereby a person may signify interest to be cremated when he dies or a deceased’s family members who must attain the age of 18 years can decide to have the corpse cremated.”

According to Ipaye, the law also empowers the state government to cremate unclaimed corpses in its mortuaries after a period of time.

“If the owners of the corpses also failed to show up to collect the ashes after a 14-day notice, it will be disposed by the state government subject to the consent and approval of the commissioner for health,” he added.
Section 6 of the law also stipulates the guidelines to getting permission to cremate and lists those who could apply for permission to cremate to include a child or children of the deceased; a close relative of the deceased; an undertaker and an agent/legal representative.

He said Section 10 of the law states that the cremator in charge of a crematorium must not dispose of the ashes remaining after a cremation except in accordance with any reasonable written instructions of the applicant.

Ipaye affirmed that the cremator in charge may bury the ashes in a burial ground if, “within one year after the cremation, the applicant does not give reasonable written instructions for the disposal of the ashes”.

The state assembly had passed the bill into law in December last year amid criticisms from groups and individuals who argued that the law is a violation of the people’s cultural and religious beliefs.

The bill, which is a private member bill, was initiated by the Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, Suuru Avoseh, a member representing Badagry Constituency 2 at the assembly.

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