Enugu State Government Imposes Daily Mortuary Tax to Discourage Long-term Stays

The Enugu State Government has introduced a daily tax on corpses kept in mortuaries, sparking discussions across social media. The decision, aimed at discouraging prolonged storage of deceased bodies in mortuaries, is part of an existing law, though it has recently gained renewed attention.

Purpose Behind the Mortuary Tax

In response to the public’s reaction, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu State Internal Revenue Service (ESIRS), Mr. Emmanuel Nnamani, clarified that the daily tax is not designed to generate significant revenue. Instead, it is intended to reduce the number of bodies left unburied for extended periods. According to Nnamani, the tax has been part of the state’s legal framework for years, as outlined in section 34 of the Birth, Deaths, and Burials Law Cap 15 of Enugu State, revised in 2004.

Breakdown of the Tax Policy

The Mortuary Tax stipulates that a daily fee of N40 is charged for any body not buried within 24 hours of being placed in a mortuary. The fee accumulates for each day the corpse remains unburied. Before the body can be collected for burial, mortuary attendants must ensure that the tax has been paid, and the funds are then remitted to the state’s Internal Generated Revenue (IGR) account.

Public Reaction and Misconceptions

The policy drew widespread attention after a circular directed to mortuary attendants was circulated online. Some users on social media raised concerns and misinterpreted the tax, believing it to be a significant financial burden. In addressing these concerns, Nnamani emphasized that the amount in question is just N40 per day, not N40,000 as some had falsely claimed. He reiterated that the tax is not directly charged to the families of the deceased but to mortuary operators.

Long-standing Law, Not a New Policy

Nnamani also clarified that the mortuary tax is not a recent development. The regulation has been in effect for years, but it has only recently resurfaced due to online discussions. Despite its existence, no family has been denied the opportunity to bury their loved ones because of the tax. In cases where a corpse remains in a mortuary for 100 days, for example, the mortuary would only be required to pay N4,000 in total.

Government’s Aim

The Enugu State Government’s primary objective with this tax is to prevent the unnecessary delay in burying deceased persons. The policy encourages families to make timely arrangements for burials rather than leaving bodies in mortuaries indefinitely, which can place a burden on mortuary facilities.

Government Stand

The daily Mortuary Tax implemented by the Enugu State Government is meant to discourage the prolonged storage of corpses in mortuaries, ensuring that bodies are not left unburied for extended periods. The tax, which amounts to N40 per day, is not a new measure but one that has been in place under the state’s legal provisions for years.

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