Stories and facts

In Ghana, the one-week funeral poster is a widely recognised and culturally significant announcement used to inform the public about the upcoming one-week observance following a person’s death.

This tradition is part of a broader funeral process that often spans several stages, starting with the one-week celebration, and culminating in the final funeral rites weeks or months later.

The purpose of the one-week poster is to formally notify family, friends, and the community about the date, time, and location of the one-week observance.

It serves as both an invitation and a public notice. This stage of the funeral process allows people to gather, mourn together, offer condolences, and begin the collective remembrance of the deceased.

The poster is typically printed in colour and displayed in public spaces such as community boards, church premises, marketplaces, and on walls in the deceased’s neighbourhood.

In recent years, it has also become common to share digital versions of the poster via WhatsApp, Facebook, and funeral websites.

Design-wise, the one-week poster is often simple but dignified. It prominently features a photograph of the deceased, usually in black and white or full colour.

The poster includes essential details such as: the full name of the deceased, date of death, date, time, and venue of the one-week observance, names of close family members (e.g., spouse, children, siblings), and sometimes a brief message or quote in remembrance.

Colour is used meaningfully. Black and red are the dominant colours, signifying mourning and grief, especially for younger individuals or those whose deaths were unexpected.

In some cases, white is used to indicate a celebration of a long and fulfilled life.

Cultural elements are sometimes included, such as clan symbols, Adinkra signs, or kente patterns, which help identify the ethnic group or community of the deceased.

The design must maintain a respectful tone, avoiding overly commercial or flashy elements.

The one-week observance itself is a significant event. It often involves a gathering at the family home or community centre, with prayers, songs, and tributes.

In some areas, food and drinks are served, and it becomes a time for extended family and friends to support the bereaved and begin the coordination of the final funeral.

The one-week funeral poster, though a simple item, plays a vital role in Ghana’s mourning and funeral culture.

It marks the first public step in the farewell process, bridges families and communities, and ensures that the deceased is honoured with the presence and prayers of those whose lives they touched.