In Ivory Coast, where the average salary is estimated to be around 150,000 FCFA (approximately 228 euros), organizing large funerals for deceased relatives is almost a sacred obligation and often comes with a hefty price tag. The cost of funerals can be substantial, with some families spending over 2.5 million FCFA (approximately 3,800 euros) or more. This significant expenditure is a considerable burden for many families, particularly those from modest backgrounds.
Valérie Bli Lou, a Christian businesswoman from a modest family in western Ivory Coast, recently lost her father in Abidjan. Her family's funeral expenses have already exceeded 2.5 million FCFA, and additional costs are expected before the burial. To manage the costs, Bli Lou opted to store her father's body in a morgue for approximately 7,000 FCFA per day (around 10 euros) until she could gather the necessary funds with the help of her family and friends.
The neighborhood of Yopougon in Abidjan has become famous for its funeral gatherings, with dozens of people attending these events every Saturday. Families often reserve spaces weeks in advance, paying hundreds of thousands of FCFA for the privilege. On a recent October night, four funeral gatherings were held in the area, with families sparing no expense to commemorate their loved ones. The atmosphere was a mix of festivities and sadness, with mourning and dancing coexisting.
The costs associated with funerals in Ivory Coast have given rise to a thriving economy centered around death. A dozen businesses in Yopougon offer a range of funeral-related services and products, including coffins, burial clothes, artificial flower wreaths, tombstones, perfumes, and jewelry for the deceased. Gertrude Brou and Georges, who have worked in the industry for 15 years, have built successful businesses providing these services, with some entrepreneurs even able to construct homes and send their children abroad for education.
Mathias Zouh, a family representative, acknowledges that organizing funerals can be a significant financial burden. He notes that families feel pressure to host large and expensive funerals, as not doing so may attract criticism and disrespect from their community. Anthropologist Léo Montaz attributes this pressure to the desire for social status and recognition within certain Ivorian communities.
The funeral industry in Ivory Coast is not limited to Christians; Muslims also face significant costs associated with funeral rites, although the process is typically more rapid. The pressure to host expensive funerals has led some families to take on debt or engage in collective fundraising efforts. In some cases, families have spent over 5 million FCFA (approximately 7,600 euros) or more on funeral expenses.
Despite the financial challenges, many Ivorian families prioritize hosting large and dignified funerals as a way to honor their deceased loved ones. As Valérie Bli Lou notes, "It's my father, it's like he's my second God: I must honor him." Her sentiments reflect the cultural significance of funerals in Ivory Coast, where the cost of honoring the deceased can be substantial, but the importance of doing so is paramount.
Key points
- The average cost of a funeral in Ivory Coast can exceed 2.5 million FCFA (approximately 3,800 euros).
