Lavish funerals become the new trend in Zimbabwe

The recent passing of celebrated radio personality and artiste Babongile Sikhonjwa has once again highlighted a growing trend in Zimbabwe - funerals are increasingly becoming extravagant displays of status and affluence. Residents of Bulawayo were left in awe as Sikhonjwa's body was transported around the city in a transparent trailer hearse, allowing mourners to view the coffin in a striking departure from traditional hearses.

Similar spectacle has been observed at the funerals of Zimbabwean international footballer Tendai Ndoro and Nkulumane legislator and renowned poet Desire Moyo, signalling a shift in the country's funeral culture.

Funeral parlours are now competing to offer increasingly lavish services, turning funerals into glamorous events that attract attention and elevate the profiles of the bereaved families. This trend is fueled in part by life insurance policies and diaspora contributions, allowing families to spare no expense in honouring their loved ones.

Traditionally, funerals in Zimbabwe involved family members and close friends visiting the deceased's home, with modest gatherings over several days. Food would be provided, and the financial capacity of the family largely dictated the scale of the event. Today, however, many families are going beyond tradition, hiring catering companies to provide meals that rival wedding banquets and using custom-designed transparent trailer hearses for dramatic effect.

Elissa Mpofu, a local resident, recounted a neighbour's recent funeral in Newton West, describing it as "a dazzling affair" with tea, coffee, cakes, and drinks served at breakfast, and lunch and supper prepared by professional caterers.

Funeral parlour officials say these custom-made trailers are popular among diaspora families who want to honour loved ones with a luxurious farewell. "The glass trailers are expensive, so families must be prepared to spend significantly to use one," a local funeral official told the Chronicle.

The cost of funerals is further amplified by vigils, tents, tables, and chairs hired at premium rates, and post-burial meals often catered by professional companies. Attire has also evolved, with mourners wearing designer sunglasses, elegant dresses, and tailored suits, moving away from traditional black clothing to vibrant, fashionable ensembles.

Arnold Sibindi, a resident of Magwegwe, expressed concern about the rising costs, noting, "I've attended enough funerals to know when people are simply showing off. I've told my children to keep my funeral modest. They have their own lives to live after I'm gone."

Caskets have also become status symbols, with some crafted from expensive wood and adorned with gold-plated handles. "Some families even serve ice cream for dessert after the main course at the funeral home. It's usually a sign that the bereaved family is well-off and willing to spend generously to celebrate the life of their loved one," said local resident Paul Saunyama.

As funerals in Zimbabwe evolve from solemn mourning to extravagant displays of wealth, the trend raises questions about cultural traditions, economic priorities, and the growing influence of status in how life and death are commemorated.