ATTITUDE OF FARMING HOUSEHOLDS TOWARD FUNERAL EXPENDITURE IN IBESIKPO ASUTAN LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA, AKWA IBOM STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed the attitudes of farming households toward funeralexpenditures in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area, Akwa Ibom State,Nigeria. Employing a snowball sampling technique, data were collected from126 respondents across nine villages, with 120 questionnaires completed andreturned. The specific objectives were to; describe the socio-economiccharacteristics of farmers in the study area, identify the various sources ofrevenue for farmers' expenditure on funeral ceremonies in the study area, anddetermine the attitude of farmers towards funeral expenditure in the studyarea. The findings reveal that the majority of respondents were male, hadresided in the community for 11 to 20 years, and were predominantly withinthe age range of 31 to 45 years. Key sources of revenue for funeral expensesincluded the sale of land, family savings, loans from relatives and friends, andbank loans. Findings also reveal a reliance on gifts to offset debts incurredfrom funeral expenses, with many farmers resorting to selling property, suchas land, when alternative funding sources were unavailable. Based on thefindings of the study, it is recommended that farming households reduceexpenditures on food and beverages during funerals, ensuring these eventsremain solemn occasions for mourning. Also, families should aim to minimizeoverall funeral costs, allowing any gifts received to be allocated toward moreproductive endeavours, such as land acquisition or investments that providea lasting tribute to the deceased.