A Nigerian man has sparked reactions online after sharing a troubling situation involving the death of his partner. According to him, his late partner’s family is refusing to allow her burial unless he formally marries her—even in death.
The man shared his story on Facebook via I AM Agatha, seeking advice from the public. He explained that both he and his late partner are from Imo State but have lived in Lagos for over three decades. Despite raising a family together, they never formalized their union, either traditionally or legally.
The couple had five children, all born and raised in Lagos, with little connection to their hometown. He revealed that his partner passed away two months ago, and her body remains in the mortuary because her family insists on a posthumous marriage before burial—a demand he says he cannot afford.
The man described his late partner as the family’s primary provider. “She was the one taking care of the family, feeding us and handling most responsibilities. She sold vegetables at Iyana-Oba Market in Ojo,” he wrote.
Facing financial strain and prolonged delay, he is considering burying her in Lagos without the family’s approval but is concerned about potential consequences. He appealed to the public for guidance, saying:
“I and my late wife, the mother of my children (I honestly don’t even know how best to address her now, because we were never married traditionally or legally) are both from Imo State. We have lived in Lagos for over 30 years and have five children together.
My wife passed away two months ago, and her body is still in the mortuary because her family has refused to allow the burial unless I ‘marry’ her, even in death. The truth is, I don’t have the money for that.
Now, I am considering burying her here in Lagos without her family’s consent. Please, I need advice—will there be any issues if I go ahead?”
The post has sparked debates online about cultural expectations, financial pressures, and the legal and ethical implications of burying a spouse without the family’s consent.
See below;
Published by Ejoh Caleb
