An 87-year-old man from Busia, known as Aloise Otieno Ng’ombe, has recently acquired a new coffin for his eventual burial ceremony. According to sources, Ng’ombe had initially purchased a coffin in 2009, and later in 2012, but as he is still alive, he has now acquired another model in preparation for his future demise.
The newly purchased coffin, valued at Ksh 58,000, is currently stored at his shop in the Obekai area of Busia County and is intended to serve as his final resting place. Ng’ombe explained that the reason for acquiring a new coffin was that the two previous models had become outdated.
The father of 18 children expressed his desire for his actions to serve as a lesson to the community, emphasizing the importance of planning for a dignified farewell. He highlighted the irony of people struggling for basic needs during their lifetime, only for elaborate ceremonies to be held after their demise. Ng’ombe emphasized the significance of planning for a proper send-off befitting one’s societal status.
Interestingly, this trend is not unique to Ng’ombe, as popular Kenyan musician Japesa has also taken a similar approach by purchasing a coffin in anticipation of his funeral. This unexpected move surprised many of his fans. Japesa shared photos on Instagram, posing with the coffin, and explained in the caption that he wanted to spare his fans the burden of struggling with funeral expenses. Both instances underscore the evolving perspectives on funeral planning and the desire for a more thoughtful and prepared approach to one’s eventual departure.
