Investigation of willingness of residents to adopt alternative burial methods in Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract

As cities grow in population, there is pressure on urban land resulting in prioritisation of scarce land for various uses. Burial grounds are often poorly rated in the priority scale since comparatively, they are considered as poor contributors to public economy. This situation. coupled with growing concerns about the environmental and health implications of casket cemetery burials has led to the growing adoption of alternative burial methods globally. In Africa, including Nigeria however, adoption of alternative burial methods has been slow. This paper therefore, investigated the willingness of residents of Abuja, Nigeria to adopt alternative modes of burial. Specifically, it sought to identify the burial methods Abuja residents are familiar with, ascertain residents' willingness to consider alternative burial methods, the alternative burial methods favoured by residents and the factors that influence choice of alternative burial methods by residents. Data were obtained by administering copies of a questionnaire to randomly selected respondents and analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences. The paper found that residents who were willing to adopt alternative burial methods marginally surpassed those who rejected the idea, suggesting significant resistance to adoption of alternative burial methods among respondents. The paper therefore identified the need for sensitization of residents especially through credible religious, sociocultural leaders and other opinion moulders including the media. In addition, there is need to review of policies and regulatory frameworks to accommodate alternative burial methods.