People believe we speak with the dead – Ilorin casket makers

What does it look like to be a casket maker/seller in a religious conscious community like Ilorin, the Kwara State capital? For some of the residents, those who engage in the business possess certain spiritual qualities that enable them communicate with the dead. 

But away from all the superstitions, myths and reservations that surround the business and its adherents, the casket-making industry in Ilorin has grown over the years. But just as all other ventures, the feat it has achieved over time has also come with its fair share of challenges.

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One of the casket sellers in Ilorin, Akanji Abiodun of Akanji Casket and Ambulance, said he has spent almost two decades in the business adding that it is a good money-spinner.

“As a matter of fact, it is profitable because we can spend N15,000 making a casket and sell it for N50,000. It is almost impossible to run at loss in this business due to its wide profit margin”, he said.

But Ola Iya of Ola Iya Caskets at Opo Malu area of Ilorin, who is also into furniture making, said it varies with time. “We always try to show sympathy and kindness to our customers. There are times that the sales will not even cover the cost of production. Our best days of the week are Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which are the days funerals are mostly held.

“The prices differ depending on the design the customer wants. But the least price is N10,000, we also have those of N15,000, N35,000, N45,000. In fact, a casket can cost up to N200, 000 or N300,000 and above, it depends on the model and they also enjoy patronage from outside the state and country.

For Akanji, it’s not true that it is only Christians that patronise them. “We do supply Muslims as well in mosques but their coffin is usually different from the conventional ones, cheaper and of less quality. Majority of bodies in the morgue are Christians whose families are planning to celebrate their funerals in an elaborate way, it is those that usually patronise us. But the business is not really popular and not a business that majority of people look forward to going into. That is why in Kwara State, there are only a handful of people who are into it, mostly hereditary.

According to Akanji, they face a lot of challenges from people, both from extended family members and friends. “Some people won’t even want to shake hands with you, and some believe you have spiritual prowess.’’

Akanji dismissed insinuations that they wished people dead in order to make sales.

“People say we pray for people’s death but in reality, we don’t even think in that direction, although I have heard of instances. We don’t employ any metaphysical force in doing our work and don’t have any relationship with the dead bodies in our caskets”, they both noted.

“One of the most challenging times we’ve ever faced was when we were evicted from our former shop because our landlord said he was having nightmares about caskets in his sleep, Akanji said.

North Central Trust reports that many of them said it was difficult to get the government’s assistance to boost their businesses because of public misconception.

They said if the government tried to render assistance the public might misunderstand it and accuse the government of wishing death upon its citizens.