SURVIVORS' MOTIVES FOR EXTRAVAGANT FUNERALS AMONG THE YORUBAS OF WESTERN NIGERIA

This article highlights the rationale participants provided for what some observers describe as elaborate and extravagant funeral practices in Western Nigeria. This includes the need to achieve psychological, social, and emotional fulfillment and contentment. This underlines the desire of survivors to take care of themselves. The article concludes that professionals in the death, dying, and bereavement field should accept the survivors as they are as long as they are not hurt by their actions. This is the bedrock of whatever help is offered.