Planning for the Disposal of the Dead in Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nigeria: A Review of Literature on Challenges and Policy Recommendations

Given that death is a natural occurrence, disposing of the dead especially corpses is an unavoidable and necessary part of human life. In order to appropriately dispose of the deceased, land use planning is crucial since improper handling could jeopardize environmental, psychological, and human health. In Nigeria, planning laws have not stopped urban growth due to urbanization and shifting societal attitudes. Public authorities usually only consider residential, commercial, industrial, and institutional land uses like schools, hospitals, and stadiums when allocating state land directly or through state agencies, despite the fact that the country's population has grown from 70 million in 1973 to nearly 200 million in recent years. The matters of death and burial require consideration from both a general and an urban management and planning standpoint. The development and execution of environmental policy on the disposal of the deceased should be localized, taking into account the characteristics of residents in certain areas. This evaluation determined that the living's planning for the disposal of the deceased encompasses creating a comfortable environment for the ultimate resting place, appropriately interring the remains, and ensuring that the subsequent management and maintenance of the designated resting area is conducted with dignity and hygiene. From a municipal standpoint, interring the deceased is regarded as an essential and obligatory public service.