The Diocese of Okene, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), has directed its members not to bury their deceased relatives immediately.
According to the diocese, families must wait at least two weeks before holding burial ceremonies.
The decision was contained in a communiqué issued after the first session of the sixth Synod of the Diocese, held at St Paul’s Anglican Church, Obeiba, Ihima, from August 7 to 9, 2026.
The communiqué was signed by the Bishop of the Diocese, Dr Emmanuel Onsachi, and the Clerical Synod Secretary, Venerable Godwin Omanayin.
According to the diocese, the two-week waiting period would give families enough time to prepare for and organise a befitting burial for their loved ones.
“A minimum period of two weeks should be allowed for burial preparations,” the Synod said.
It also told members not to fear keeping bodies in the morgue, saying embalming would not bring any spiritual harm.
The church stated that no evil consequence would follow from allowing the bodies of departed parents to be embalmed while families prepared for burial.
“Even if a deceased person asked to be buried within a few days or within one week, members should follow the diocese’s two-week burial policy.”
The Synod also banned the use of outside undertakers during burial programmes across the Diocese.
Instead, it directed parishes to use their Boys Brigade members for such duties, saying it wanted to avoid involving groups whose activities might not align with church practices.
On tithing, the Synod urged members living abroad to send at least 50 per cent of their annual tithe to their home churches.
It said the approach would be “pastoral” to encourage members to comply willingly.
The diocese also asked churches to step up evangelism to attract more members and declared the third Sunday of every month as Youth Sunday to give young people a bigger role in church activities.
The resolutions, dated August 12, 2026, were adopted for implementation across the Diocese of Okene.
Okene Anglican Diocese sets two-week waiting period for burials