Lusaka City Council (LCC) has given funeral services business known as Funeral Parlours seven days in which to brand hearses.
LCC Public Relations Manager George Sichimba has told Money FM News in a statement that the ultimatum was made today during the meeting of Funeral Parlour operators convened by public health department.
Mr. Sichimba says the reason for the ultimatum to brand hearses is to curtail any possible use of the same vehicles for other transportation purposes.
“LCC has also given funeral parlour operators 14 days in which to register their businesses and obtain health permits in line with the Public Health Act Cap 295 of the Laws of Zambia. Registration of funeral parlours will make it easier for the local authority to regulate the business,” he said.
Mr. Sichimba stated that the measures have been taken pursuant to the Council resolution made during the Ninth Ordinary Council Meeting held on 2nd April, 2019.
He said the Council resolved that funeral services business (Funeral Parlours) in the city should be regulated by Council.
“This resolution was as result of the tour of selected funeral parlours and UTH by the Health Services Committee recently which revealed that most people engaging in this kind of business are not registered and have no business permits from LCC,” he said.

“Council therefore resolved that the Council through the Department of Public Health should monitor all firms providing funeral services; the Department of Public Health to consider formulating a by-law to regulate funeral parlours; all vehicles used as Hearses be branded so that they are not used for other purposes; those who sell coffins at UTH should restrict themselves to their business and should stop advertising services beyond what they offer.”