It is a dreaded subject. It is a journey that every human being will take when their time comes. We are talking about death! But would you prepare for that eventuality that never warns when it strikes?

Well, some people have done it. In life they plan how their funerals should be done and how they should be dressed, what mourners should wear and the type of coffin they should be put in. With these wishes they take out funeral insurance cover or save money to be used when ‘their time comes.’

But why would anyone save for their own funeral- a practice that is against the known African traditional values.

In reference to this alien practice, James Muyombano, a history scholar says today the reality is different. He argues that while in the past, there was a strong social security net which ensured that a funeral in a village was the responsibility of every one, today things have changed.

"The world has become so individualistic and self-centered, that is why in the western world people pay out insurance for their own funerals. And this is taking route in Africa as a result of the death of the traditional values and modernity,” Muyombano says before adding, "in the past funerals were modest and simple but today, few people can afford the costs that come with a funeral of a loved one.”

This is the reality 29-year-old Josyline Mukandutiye faced recently. Just two years into her marriage, she lost the love of her life in a fatal road accident. The unforeseen tragedy left her devastated, but what made it worse was the worry of how she was to cater for the funeral expenses.

The 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi literally left her with no family and so was her husband who was also an orphaned by the Genocide.

"The costs were overwhelming….. I needed mortuary fees, buying a coffin and cemetery fees plus feeding the mourners, the costs just kept piling yet we had not saved much as a young couple,” she recalls.

Like Mukandutiye, many have gone through such. In the face of such uncertainty, some people believe that saving for your own funeral while still alive is a reality that people should embrace.

Insurance experts advise that it is in order for everyone to plan ahead for their day or their loved ones.

"It is a journey that everyone will eventually take. There is nothing wrong with saving or planning for it. This would save your loved ones the stress of begging and looking for resources to give you a befitting send off,” says Josephine who works with a Kigali based insurance firm.

Betty Sayinzoga, the CEO of Saham Assurance Rwanda, says that insuring one’s funeral is one way of dealing with the overwhelming expenses when death of a loved one strikes.

She points out that there are several insurance companies in Rwanda that provide such funeral packages where funeral insurance is a one year cover renewed on an annual basis.

"People are insured depending on their age, because a funeral cover of an elderly person will be quite expensive compared to that of a 20-year-old, and how much they would want their next of kin to be paid once they die,” she says.

However, she adds that the funeral only cover packages are not common in Rwanda, with many Rwandans preferring to have funeral packages within other insurance covers such as medical or group life insurance.

She, however notes that in Rwanda, people still believe it is the responsibility of the community and relatives to mobilise money for a decent send off in case of death of a loved one. As a result few people see it necessary to ‘save’ for their send off.  The rise of funeral homes

As people get used to the reality of planning for death more funeral homes are coming up.

Capitholine Musabeyezu is the managing director of TwifatanyeFunerarium, a funeral home. She says that even though the expenses in regards to burial ceremonies tend to be increasing, funeral homes are trying to avail packages to suit every one.

"Some people just want to do what others do yet, services which are actually more affordable are available. For instance one can spend Rwf50, 000 at most for a burial with Rwf10, 000 for a coffin, Rwf20, 000 for the van transporting the body and Rwf15,000 for the cemetery fee,” she says.

She says Rwandans should embrace funeral service companies in times like these because this way, bereaved families will be offered a helping hand on planning for the burial.

"We are with the bereaved from the hospital (mortuary), back home, then to the church up to the cemetery. We sometimes help them get a place at the cemetery but this depends on the client as some prefer to do it themselves, but all our services aim at lessening the burden for the mourners,” Musabeyezu says.

What government says about cost of burial in public cemeteries

Ladislas Ngendahimana, the spokesperson of the Ministry of Local Government, explains that the cost of public cemeteries is determined by the district councils and that there are factors taken into consideration.The price of the land, the protection and maintenance of the cemeteries are some of the factors considered while setting the cost.  

He believes that the cost of burial in the country is still affordable for everybody, with the exception of Rusororo cemetery grounds.

Ngendahimana adds that the people wishing to bury their loved ones at their ancestral homes are also free to do so, although one has to get permission from the District Mayor.

Is cremation a cheaper option?

Ngendahimana says that the law in Rwanda grants permission to those who wish to cremate, and is considered a solution to the increasing pressure land.

Musabayezu echoes the same view but notes that Rwandans are yet to embrace cremation due to cultural values. She says that cremation in Rwanda is done in Bugesera by mostly Indians living in Rwanda.

She notes that this practice can be a solution to the increasing pressure on land and it is cheaper and time saving.

"I have not seen any Rwandan come to us for cremation services since I started this company. Rwandans haven’t yet embraced cremation because they still hold on to the mentality that it’s not in line with our culture. It’s understandable since all this is new, but on the other hand this method is cheaper and also solves the issue of limited land,” Musabeyezu says.

More can be done

Simon Kalisa, a resident of Kacyiru, is of the view that something should be done to see that burial ceremonies are as cheap as they can be. Like many, he supports cremation. He believes that losing a loved one is painful enough and that no financial stress should be accompanied with that.

"I understand that land is an issue, but I believe something can be done, a solution can be sought. Increasing on the number of grave sites can be one of the solutions. While those who can afford to join insurance companies can use them as a way of planning ahead,” he suggests.

Ruhumuriza says that though there is need to preserve culture, at times embracing change is a necessity.

"Cremation is new to our culture but it was introduced because of a reason. Among issues that Rwanda faces as a country is scarcity of land. Although some Rwandans haven’t yet embraced the practice, I believe with time they will understand the benefits attached to it.”

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