The Executive Chairman of Ukum Local Government Area, Hon. Jonathan Modi, has introduced new directives aimed at regulating mortuary operations and ensuring fair service delivery across the local government. Announced on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, the guidelines follow recommendations from a committee that reviewed mortuary practices and were developed in collaboration with the Association of Mortuary Owners.
The approved resolutions include:
1. Embalming Fee: ₦25,000 for a standard corpse, with negotiable rates based on condition.
2. Retouching Fee: ₦300 daily, with advance payments disallowed.
3. Hazard Fee: ₦500 weekly.
4. Items Fee: ₦5,000.
5. Dressing Fee: ₦5,000.
6. Extension of Embalming Fee: To be charged after the 10th day of a new month instead of the first day.
7. Monthly Mortuary Services Fee: ₦46,000.
Hon. Modi emphasized that any mortuary facility violating the directives would be shut down and reopened only after paying a penalty fee of ₦200,000. “These measures are designed to protect grieving families from exploitation while ensuring mortuary owners operate transparently and ethically,” he stated.
The directives, confirmed by Samuel Terkuma Atsua, Special Assistant on Media and Communications, are expected to take immediate effect and bolster accountability in the mortuary sector. This move is seen as a step toward standardizing services and addressing concerns raised by the community.
The guidelines reflect a collaborative effort to improve service delivery and ensure fairness, marking a significant update to mortuary operations in Ukum Local Government Area.
