Onyeka Onwenu’s Final Wishes for a Private Burial

Veteran Nigerian singer, actress, and journalist Onyeka Onwenu, who passed away on Tuesday night, July 30, at Reddington Hospital in Lagos, had explicitly outlined her final wishes for a simple and private burial. In a 2021 opinion piece, Onyeka Onwenu made her burial preferences clear.

Onyeka Onwenu emphasized: “Do it quickly, quietly, and privately.” She wanted a low-key funeral, advising loved ones to “mourn, yes, but not excessively.” Instead, she encouraged celebrating her life through prayers, cheerful moments, and sharing jokes about her. “Celebrate me with prayers, lunch or dinner afterwards. Share some jokes about me and laugh. Make merriment and then go about your business,” she said.

Onwenu also expressed a desire to be celebrated while alive, stating: “If my friends want to celebrate me, they should do so while I am alive, so that I can enjoy it with them, not when I am gone and have no idea about this. That is me, Onyeka Onwenu.”

In the same piece, Onwenu criticized the extravagant displays of wealth commonly seen at Nigerian funerals. She cited the lavish burial of Obi Cubana’s mother as an example, arguing that such displays send the wrong signals, particularly to young people.

Onyeka Onwenu’s final wishes and her views on funeral practices reflect her desire for simplicity and genuine celebration of life, leaving a profound message for her loved ones and fans.