A viral video of friends eating banku on a coffin at a funeral in Apam Atajowa in the Central Region of Ghana has triggered widespread debate online after showing mourners serving themselves food placed directly on top of a coffin during the burial ceremony of a man identified as Samuel Quansah.
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The footage, which has circulated widely on social media, shows about seven close friends gathered around the coffin, sharing banku and okro soup placed on it as part of what is described as a final tribute to the deceased in Apam in the Central Region.
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While some viewers have defended the act as an expression of deep friendship, others have criticised it as inappropriate and disrespectful, reigniting conversations about funeral practices and dignity for the dead in Ghana.
A narration in the video identifies the deceased as Samuel Quansah, describing him as a kind and reserved person whose close friends only fully appreciated his personality after his death.
What happened in the viral Apam funeral video
The viral clip shows the coffin laid out during the funeral ceremony with food served directly on top of it. The group of friends then gather around it, eating and sharing memories while consuming the meal.
According to the accompanying narration, the act was meant as a symbolic farewell rooted in their shared experiences with the deceased, who is said to have often shared meals with them when alive.
The video has since been shared widely across platforms, fuelling both humour and outrage in equal measure.
A related discussion on evolving funeral practices and public reaction to unconventional burial rites has previously highlighted similar controversies in Ghanaian communities, where tradition and modern expression often collide.
Why the act has sparked public concern
The video has raised questions about respect for the dead and public health considerations during funeral ceremonies.
Health authorities have previously cautioned against practices that involve direct contact with corpses or coffin surfaces, warning that such actions may pose hygiene risks, especially in public gatherings.
Ghana’s Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851), outlines guidelines on the handling of human remains, with funeral and mortuary regulations designed to ensure dignity and safety during burial processes. Experts note that while cultural expression is diverse, certain actions may still fall under unsafe or inappropriate handling of remains.
Beyond health concerns, the incident has also reopened debate about how far grief and friendship rituals should go in public spaces.
What happens next in the debate
As the video continues to circulate, it is expected to fuel further conversations about funeral customs, youth culture and evolving expressions of grief in Ghana.
Community leaders and cultural commentators are likely to weigh in on whether such practices should be discouraged or understood as part of changing social norms.
For now, the incident remains a talking point across social media, with opinions sharply divided between those calling it a heartfelt tribute and others describing it as a step too far.
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