In Ghana, many families hold a one week observance, often called the one week celebration, soon after a death. It comes before the funeral itself. If your family is preparing one, this guide explains what usually happens, and gives sample wording for the poster, the WhatsApp message and the announcement on the day.
Customs differ between ethnic groups, towns, churches and families. Take this as a general guide, and follow what your family elders and your church advise.
What the one week observance is
It is a gathering held about a week after the death. The family receives sympathisers, and the death is formally made known to the wider community. It is commonly the day on which the family announces the date and arrangements for the funeral.
It is often called:
- One week observance
- One week celebration
- One week observation
- One week remembrance
All of these are in common use. "Observance" is the more formal word. Use the one your family prefers.
What usually happens at a one week celebration
- The family gathers at the family house or another agreed place, often in the morning.
- Sympathisers come to greet the family and sit with them.
- Mourning colours are worn. Black and red are common. White, or black and white, is often worn for someone who lived to a great age. Ask the family head which applies.
- There may be prayers, hymns or a short service, depending on the family's faith.
- The family, usually through its head or spokesman, announces the funeral date and arrangements.
- Donations may be received to help with the funeral.
- Light refreshments are served.
Some families keep the day very simple. Some churches advise their members on how it should be held. Ask before you plan.
A simple order for the day
If the family wants a written order, this one follows the list above. The family head and your church decide what is right for you.
- Arrival, and greeting of the family
- Opening prayer
- Hymn or song
- Welcome by the family spokesman
- A short word about the person
- Announcement of the funeral date and arrangements
- Receiving of donations
- Closing prayer
- Refreshments
What to decide first
- The date and time. About a week after the death, on a day the family can gather.
- The place. The family house, a church hall or another venue.
- Who is announcing. The head of the family, with the widow or widower and the children.
- The colours to be worn.
- Whether the funeral dates are ready to announce. If not, say that they will be announced later.
What goes on a one week poster
- A heading, such as "One week observance" or "One week celebration"
- A clear photo
- The full name, with titles and any name by which the person was known
- The age
- The day, date, time and place of the gathering
- The chief mourners, or "the family"
- A contact number
- The colours to wear, if the family wishes
One week observance poster wording
Replace the words in brackets with your own details.
A formal one week observance poster
One week observance
The (name) family of (town), the widow and the children announce with deep sorrow the death of their beloved (father, husband, brother), (title and full name), also known as (name), aged (age).
The one week observance will be held on (day, date) at (time), at (family house or venue, with landmark).
All friends and sympathisers are cordially invited.
Enquiries: (name and number).
A short one week celebration poster
One week celebration of the late (title and full name), aged (age). (Day, date), (time), at (place). The (name) family.
For a mother, from the family and children
One week observance
The (name) family of (town), the widower and the children announce the death of their dear (mother, wife, sister),
(TITLE AND FULL NAME),
also known as (name), aged (age).One week observance: (day, date), at (time)
Place: (family house or venue, with landmark)
Attire: (colours)Chief mourners: (names, in the order the family head gives)
Enquiries: (name and number)
When the funeral dates will follow
One week observance of the late (title and full name), aged (age).
(Day, date), (time), at (place).Funeral arrangements will be announced on the day.
The (name) family
When the funeral dates are already fixed
One week observance
(TITLE AND FULL NAME), aged (age)One week: (day, date), (time), at (place)
Funeral arrangements
Burial service: (day, date, time), at (church or venue)
Burial: (place)
Thanksgiving service: (day, date, time), at (church)The (name) family. Enquiries: (number)
Put the funeral dates on the poster only when the church and the venue have confirmed them. A wrong date on a poster is hard to correct.
One week observation announcements for WhatsApp
A general message
We invite you to the one week observance of our late (mother, father), (title and full name), on (day, date) at (time), at (place). Attire: (colours). Your presence will comfort the family. Enquiries: (number).
To close friends
Dear (name), we will hold the one week for (Mummy, Daddy) on (day, date) at (time), at (the family house, place). It would comfort us to have you there.
To a church, old students or workplace group
Good day, all. The family of our (member, colleague) (name) will hold the one week observance of (his, her) late (father, mother), (title and full name), on (day, date) at (time), at (place). Members are kindly asked to attend in (colours). Thank you.
To relatives abroad
The one week observance of our late (father, mother), (title and full name), holds on (day, date) at (time), Ghana time, at (place). If you cannot travel, you can join us online here: (link). The funeral dates will be shared after the day.
A notice to be read out at church
The (name) family announces the death of (title and full name), a member of this church, which occurred on (date). The one week observance will be held on (day, date) at (time), at (place). The family asks for your prayers and your presence.
What the family spokesman can say on the day
The head of the family or the spokesman usually speaks in the family's own language and manner. If you are asked to speak in English, these words are a starting point.
Welcoming sympathisers
On behalf of the head of the family, the (widow, widower) and the children, I thank you for coming to sit with us today. We have lost our (father, mother, brother, sister), (title and full name). Your presence gives us strength.
Announcing the funeral arrangements
The family has met, and I am to tell you the arrangements. The burial service will be held on (day, date) at (time), at (church or venue). Burial follows at (place). The thanksgiving service will be on (day, date), at (church).
Posters and invitations will follow. We ask you to keep the dates, and to keep the family in your prayers.
If the dates are not ready
The family is still meeting on the funeral arrangements. The dates will be announced as soon as they are agreed. Thank you for your patience and your support.
A thank you message after the one week
The (name) family thanks all who came to the one week observance of our late (father, mother), (title and full name), and all who called, sent messages and gave. We are grateful. The funeral will be held on (day, date) at (place). God bless you.
For longer thanks after the funeral, see appreciation message after a burial.
Naming the family on the poster
Ghanaian funeral notices often list people by their place in the family: the chief mourners, the widow or widower, the children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and in-laws.
- Ask the head of the family for the list, and for the order.
- Spell every name as the person spells it.
- If the list is long, the one week poster can say "the family" and leave the full list for the funeral poster and brochure.
- Leaving someone out causes real hurt. Have an elder check it.
Before you print or share
- Read the name, titles and age aloud to the head of the family.
- Check that the day of the week matches the date.
- Confirm the place and time with whoever is hosting.
- Ring the contact number.
- Use one clear photo, taken in good light.
After the one week
The one week is the start of the funeral preparations. The same photo, name and details will appear on the funeral poster, the invitation and the brochure, so keep them the same throughout.
For the brochure, see Ghana funeral brochure. For poster wording in general, see the obituary poster write-up. For the invitation, see burial invitation card, and for the first notice of a death, see funeral announcement wording. The burial checklist lists what to arrange next.
Questions people ask
What is a one week observance in Ghana?
It is a gathering held about a week after a death, before the funeral itself. The family receives sympathisers, the death is formally made known to the wider community, and the family commonly announces the date and arrangements for the funeral.
Is it one week observance, one week celebration or one week observation?
All three are in common use, along with one week remembrance. "Observance" is the more formal word. Use the one your family prefers, and use the same word on the poster and in every message.
What do you wear to a one week observance?
Mourning colours are worn. Black and red are common. White, or black and white, is often worn for someone who lived to a great age. The poster or the family head will tell you which applies.
What do you write on a one week poster?
A heading, a clear photo, the full name with titles, the age, and the day, date, time and place of the gathering. Add the chief mourners or "the family", a contact number, and the colours to wear if the family wishes.
Is the funeral date announced at the one week?
Commonly, yes. The family, usually through its head or spokesman, announces the funeral date and arrangements. If the dates are not ready, the family says that they will be announced later.
Does every family hold a one week observance?
No. Customs differ between ethnic groups, towns, churches and families. Some families keep the day very simple, and some churches advise their members on how it should be held. Ask your elders and your church before you plan.
Make the poster free with Homegoing
Homegoing's free poster maker lets you set your own heading, such as "One week observance", add the photo, name and age, and list the day, time and place. You get a picture for WhatsApp and a file to print. Open the free poster maker