The Dead, the Living and Development: A Perspective of Akan Funerals

Abstract

Funerals are held to commemorate the death of a family member. Death among the Akans is considered a moment when the human soul departs this world of pain and suffering to the spirit world for a transitional rest. Celebration of funerals in many Akan communities have some inherent factors which suggests a strong communal will to meet together to support people in any form of difficulty, contribute towards expenses of those in distress and also as effective points for announcing community programmes. Funerals these days are losing the elements of sadness and emotional devastation to positive exploitation for social and physical development.