A 90-year-old grandmother has lost a High Court battle with her grandchildren over the burial arrangements for her late daughter, who the grandmother claimed was Ghanaian royalty. The grandmother argued that cremation was a grave taboo and against the family's maternal burial customs.
Mercy Ofori-Kuma lost her daughter, Margaret, who was 60, on June 9. Ofori-Kuma asserted that her daughter was part of the Akyem Royal Family of Ghana. She and another daughter, Victoria, maintained that Margaret should be buried according to the established maternal burial custom of their royal lineage, stating that cremation would lead to serious customary and spiritual consequences, including death or madness.
However, Margaret's granddaughters, Michaela Fordjor, Karyn, and Delores Ofori, insisted their mother had wished to be cremated. They stated that Margaret's death was unexpected, leaving no time for formal discussions about arrangements. A nearly two-month legal battle ensued, culminating in the grandchildren winning the right to cremate their mother.
At a hearing, the judge noted that the grandmother and Victoria's only evidence was an alleged single statement made by Margaret during a conversation. The judge also observed Victoria's 'smirking, contemptuous demeanour' in court. The judge did not accept Ofori-Kuma's claims that her daughter had a poor relationship with her granddaughters due to harassment and abuse.
Margaret's daughters presented evidence of a close relationship with their mother, who they said described Ofori-Kuma and Victoria as 'very manipulative' just two days before her death. Karyn recounted a conversation in September 2023 where her mother remarked that the family liked to "bury and forget" people and stated, "For me, never. You can cremate me and bring me home." She understood this to mean her mother did not want to be buried but cremated and her remains brought home.
The daughters claimed their mother had previously expressed wishes such as, "If I die, don't bury me," and "The buried are forgotten." They interpreted these statements as a clear wish to be cremated so she could remain close to her children. Margaret's granddaughter, Ms. Fordjor, shared a conversation from 11 days before her mother's death, where Margaret reportedly said, "Grandma has always been passive when it comes to conflicts among the children. That day, I was hurt. If I don't say it, I'd be lying." Margaret also emphasized focusing on their immediate family and remaining close to her children after her passing.
In contrast, Mercy Ofori-Kuma recalled only one conversation approximately two years prior, in which she stated Margaret had unequivocally told her she must not be cremated.
The judge ruled that the grandchildren could proceed with cremation arrangements and ordered that Mercy, Victoria, and other family members were not to interfere.