Ofori-Kuma v Ofori (Burial or Cremation)

Facts

Margaret Ofori-Kuma was born on 16 April 1966 and died suddenly on 9 June 2026, leaving three adult daughters, Michaela Fordjor, Karyn Ofori and Delores Ofori. Her death was unanticipated and she left no will or written funeral plan. A dispute arose between the daughters, who said their mother had repeatedly told them she wished to be cremated, and Margaret's 90-year-old mother, Mercy Ofori-Kuma, and Margaret's sister, Victoria Ofori-Kuma, who said Margaret had told Mercy privately that she must not be cremated and who relied on the customary burial practices of the Akyem Abuakwa royal lineage of Ghana, within which cremation is said to be a grave taboo. A family meeting of some twenty maternal and paternal relatives took place on 10 July 2026; the children said it resolved that the cremation should proceed, and arrangements were begun before the funeral director paused them following a letter from an organisation called Another Ear CIC. Mercy issued a Part 8 claim on 19 July 2026 seeking declaratory relief under the inherent jurisdiction; at a directions hearing on 11 August 2026 Morgan J joined Victoria as second applicant and granted an interim injunction restraining the children from making arrangements for the body. All parties appeared in person before the High Court.