One-week observation, final funeral rites and other Ghanaian funeral terms explained

Held about a week after the death, and among the Akan rarely later than two weeks. Mourners wear black, red, or red and black, come to greet and console the family, and give donations, which are announced and recorded. The family meets, led by the family head, to agree the funeral date, the place of burial and how costs will be shared, and the date is announced at the end of the day.

The burial service is usually a church service followed by the committal at the cemetery, often on a Friday or Saturday after the body has lain in state. The final funeral rites ("funeral" in everyday speech) are the main gathering, where the family receives mourners and donations, usually on the Saturday. Some families hold everything on one day.

Usually on the Sunday after the funeral, the family attends church, dressed in white or bright colours, to thank God for the life of the deceased and to thank everyone who supported them. It's a good time to share your thank-you message.

Nsawa is the Akan word for the cash donations mourners give the bereaved family to help with the cost of the funeral. They're announced aloud, with the donor's name and amount, and recorded by people the family appoints; donors usually get a receipt. Among the Asante, nsawa is understood as reciprocal: you give, and others give when you are bereaved.

Memora keeps this record digitally: every donation, whether MoMo or cash at the table, on one list, with a receipt for each donor. See the funeral contribution list template.

• Ayie: Twi for funeral.
• Abusuapanin: the family head among the Akan, who leads the family's decisions.
• Lying in state: when the body is laid out for mourners to pay their last respects.
• Damirifa due: an Akan expression of condolence and farewell to the deceased.