Rethinking our use of funeral and event programs, by OluBunmi ODEWUMI

I recently attended a wedding in a small town. While there, I experienced a stomach upset and had to use a nearby bush. To my shock, I found the funeral program of my late father being used to clean up. It was the same program where I had written a tribute to honor him.

That moment stayed with me through the entire church service. I realized I should have read that tribute to my father while he was alive—on his birthday or after a family meal. He would have appreciated it far more than paper ever could.

This incident made me reflect on how we spend on printed programs for weddings, burials, and naming ceremonies. Often, these programs are costly, beautifully designed, and then discarded or misused immediately after the event. In an economy where many struggle, isn’t that money better invested in supporting the poor and orphanages around us?

The Bible and even Shakespeare remind us: “When beggars die, there are no comets seen.” Tributes and kind words mean the most when the person can hear them. After death, they serve mainly as records for those who value them.

I am not saying we should stop keeping records. But we should ask ourselves: Do we need elaborate printed programs for every function? Can we honor our loved ones with words spoken directly to them, and use resources more wisely for the living?

Let’s balance tradition with practicality, and affection with action.