List of countries by cremation rate (Africa)

2000-07-06

This article is a list of countries by cremation rate. Cremation rates vary widely across the world with some countries like Japan, Nepal and Thailand having a rate over 95% while majorityCatholic countries like Italy, Ireland and Poland having lower rates. Factors include culture and religion; for example, the cremation rate in Muslim, Eastern Orthodox, and Roman Catholic majority countries is much lower due to religious sanctions on cremation, whereas for Hindu or Buddhist majority countries the cremation rate is much higher. Cemetery fees impel towards the choice of cremation.

Zimbabwe

Cremation is still taboo (rather prohibition) in Zimbabwe. The Bulawayo City Council, the second largest city in Zimbabwe, planned mandatory cremation for those that died before the age of 25. However, this plan was cancelled after many protests from Pentecostal Christian groups.

South Africa

The rate of cremation is about 12% in Cape Town, which has a significant white population, but it is lower in other parts of the country

Ghana

There is a crematorium in Accra, the capital of Ghana, but the cremation rate is low. Pentecostal Christians (the largest religion group in the country) are officially against cremation.

Kenya

Nairobi has the only crematorium in Kenya. Since Kenya is a Christian majority country, the opposition against cremation comes from the Church.

Nigeria

Cremation is legal in Lagos State.

All info kindly from Wikipedia