Ghanaians believe one should exit the world in style. The African nation is one of the more peaceful and economically stable in this troubled continent. Rich funeral traditions which have eroded elsewhere still flourish in this country. Funeral parties are advertised by billboard or in the newspapers and can last several days. The most striking thing about a Ghanaian funeral however is the elaborate coffins used. Skilled workers are commissioned weeks in advance for the job. People want the final resting place of their loved ones to depict who they were in life. A fisherman may be buried in a boat shaped coffin while a chicken farmer may be laid out in a coffin shaped like a chicken. Soft drink bottles, cameras and birds are generally popular choices.

The most unusual caskets reflect things the deceased always dreamed of and never achieved, such as Rolls Royce’s, Ferraris and jet aeroplanes.

 The caskets cost $200-$300. In this poor nation people sometimes go into debt to supply their dear departed with an ornate funeral. The tradition also serves to appease the spirits of the departed. Myth and superstition are a part of life in Ghana and it is believed that if the dead are kept happy they will shower prosperity on their descendents