Are Lawyers Buried Face Down When They Die? Here Is The Truth By Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC
Within the world of urban legends and interesting tales, there is a strange notion that attorneys are buried in an unconventional way—face down. This fascinating idea has permeated popular culture, provoking debate and drawing attention. But is this assertion really true, or is it just the result of fanciful folklore?
This essay will examine this strange notion, examine its jurisdictional scope, analyse its causes, and finally reveal the historical truth about the last resting location of lawyers. It’s time to separate reality from fantasy and discover the real story behind the proper funeral customs for attorneys.
It is no longer a myth that attorneys are buried face-down once they pass away. A portion of the population believes that attorneys are punished by being buried face-down because they defend “the indefensible.” Speaking on A1 Radio’s Daybreak Upper East programme, Attorney Clarke Noyoru of the Legal Resources Centre in Bolgatanga clarified, however, that this idea is completely untrue since attorneys are people, and people follow their own conventions. “I’m not sure whether any family or custom would let a member be buried upside down just because they work in a certain field.
If there was a culture that supported it, that would be great, but to argue that a member of that kind should be buried upside down just because they are a lawyer is completely untrue. Regarding a different claim that attorneys fabricate evidence in court, Attorney Noyoru emphasised that they just uphold the law and do not take offence at the possibility that the general public may not fully comprehend it. “People believe that we lie because we follow the law without question, but the law is real and not what people believe it to be,” he stated. “For example, if the law states that stealing is taking something that belongs to someone else with the intent to deprive the owner of using it, then that is the law,” he said.
The average guy will claim that it is a theft simpliciter if I pick up your phone and it is not mine. However, the legislation does not state that. According to the law, if you answer the phone, you have taken it from its owner and intended to take it from them. Therefore, adding anything without intending to deprive its owner of it is not considered theft. The average person won’t comprehend it, but that is the law, therefore if I go to court to defend this, that is what will happen. Outside of Cameroon, it has been a fiction, claims Stopblablacam. It is evident that the misconception has spread widely.
According to the article, a well-known attorney has attested to the fact that it is just a myth. “I have never seen, nor met someone who has seen, a lawyer buried like all through the fifteen years I have been practising as a lawyer,” jokingly said the lawyer in a statement. Dr. Daniel Ngos is an attorney at the Cameroonian Supreme Court. He said that previously in his career, he had been concerned about this as well. It may be explained by the absurd notion that attorneys are devalued in Cameroon.
I can’t confirm here, but it may have occurred elsewhere,” Dr. Ngos said. The legal profession is not highly regarded in Cameroon, despite being one that upholds justice and the rule of law. As per an article authored and covered by enock AKonnor, It has been suggested that attorneys should be buried face down rather than face up and 12 feet deep rather than 6 feet since they are corrupt, do not know God, and utilise bribes and other falsehoods to help their client win a lawsuit.
People think that the only reason they are buried face down is because they do not know God, they do not fear Him, and as a result, when they die, they will not be able to see Him. The contentious aspect of this false impression is the widespread conviction that a lawyer cannot bring someone to heaven.
To further dispel this false notion, remember that the only true act of respect for a deceased person is to honour his last wishes, so long as they are honourable and constructive. There are instances when a dying person leaves a will directing that a portion of his body be used to replace a missing part for someone in need; some people leave their eyes to others who are blind. So that he might rest in peace, it is appropriate to honour the deceased’s desire to not be buried face down and 12 feet deep.
The only situation in which taking another man’s life is not appropriate is when the wishes of the deceased should be disregarded. For example, if my memory serves me correctly, a monarch would be buried with twelve heads upon his death. The numbers I’ve included here may not be exact, but they were buried with some intelligent people. This suggests that such a will shouldn’t be tolerated as it indicates that innocent people were slaughtered in order to bury a monarch.
A reputable attorney reportedly used his Facebook page to dispel several myths about the legal field including the idea that attorneys are buried face-down, with their tongues severed, or shorter than 12 feet. This information was reported by News Naira. He took the time to answer a few pertinent questions, helping to clear up any confusion. Barr Francis responded in the affirmative, when Mary Chinenye inquired about whether lawyers are buried with their wigs and robes.
Derry MG, a Netizen, said that she didn’t like studying law since her father shared the belief that a person is already condemned before the “judgement day” just for doing law. Nothing shows more respect for a deceased person than honouring their last wishes, so long as they are honourable and constructive. There are instances when a dying person leaves a will directing that a portion of his body be used to replace a missing part for someone in need; some people leave their eyes to others who are blind.
So that he might rest in peace, it is appropriate to honour the deceased’s desire to not be buried face down and 12 feet deep. The only situation in which taking another man’s life is not appropriate is when the wishes of the deceased should be disregarded. For example, in ancient times, it was customary to bury a king’s corpse with human heads. Many people who might have pursued a career in law have chosen not to do so because of misconceptions and beliefs about the legal profession. Barr Francis and his group, however, are working to make the most of the corrections they can.
To sum up, the urban legend that has captivated the public’s interest is the intriguing notion that attorneys are buried face-down. Nevertheless, it becomes clear that this idea is really a myth after thorough research and analysis. Like members of any other profession, lawyers are buried according to customary funeral customs; no extra arrangements or exceptions are made. Such fascinating tales must be examined critically in order to separate reality from fantasy. By doing this, we may debunk falsehoods and learn more about the traditions and rituals surrounding people’s last resting places from all walks of life.
Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria.
