NAMIBIA SUSPENDS STATE FUNERALS UNTIL 2026

Namibia has officially imposed a temporary ban on all state-funded funerals, with immediate effect, in a bold move aimed at reviewing the entire honours system.

The moratorium, which runs from June 16, 2025 to March 31, 2026, was announced by Cabinet following growing pressure over rising funeral costs and unclear criteria used to award national honours.

During this period, no new applications for state or official funerals will be approved, though the President still retains final say under the Constitution.

The government says a special committee has been formed to revise the current guidelines and introduce transparency in how honours are granted.

This decision comes after revelations that over N$38 million was spent on official funerals in the last financial year alone, raising eyebrows across the country.

The move has sparked mixed reactions, especially from families of prominent figures like the late Dr. Moses Amweelo, whose request for state support was denied due to the freeze.