“Don’t bury me in a casket or a coffin” — Malawi Black Missionaries manager shares shocking death wishes

…Ray Harawa bans preaching and religious songs at his funeral

Ray Harawa, the longtime manager of Malawi’s legendary Black Missionaries band, has stunned social media after declaring that he does not want to be buried in a casket or coffin when he dies.

Instead, Harawa says the money that would have been spent on an expensive coffin should be donated to needy people struggling to survive in Malawi’s harsh economy. But it did not end there.

In a deeply personal Facebook post titled “ZA CHANI? MY DEATH WISH/ES”, the outspoken music figure also banned preaching, religious songs and church activities at his funeral

“There shouldn’t be any religious ceremony or lies on my funeral. No preaching, religious songs or any other religious activities,” wrote Harawa.

“The preaching of the scriptures or any other religious doctrine will have no meaning at all as people already get preached to at their religious institutions.”

Instead, the veteran music figure said he only wants eulogies and speeches reflecting on his life. But it was his rejection of expensive burial culture that triggered even bigger reactions online.

No coffin, no luxury funeral

Harawa said he does not want a casket or coffin purchased for his burial, arguing that the money should instead help struggling people who depended on him during his lifetime.

“My body will just have to be wrapped and laid on a stretcher and as such there will be no need to get me a casket or coffin,” he wrote.

“The money that is to be spent on me by the buying of the casket would rather be spent on the people that depended on me for their life survival or any other disadvantaged people.”

He added that buying him a coffin would simply be “for your own exhortation.”

Harawa also dismissed the common Malawian practice of transporting bodies across long distances for burial, saying he sees no sense in taking a dead body “hundreds of miles” for a funeral.

“I leave my wish and not my will as I don’t have any material asset to leave.” he closed the post which quickly exploded online, drawing strong reactions from Malawians debating religion, culture, funeral costs and personal freedom.

Some praised Harawa for what they described as brutal honesty and humility in a country where funerals can financially cripple grieving families already struggling under harsh economic conditions.

Others were uncomfortable with his rejection of religious ceremony in a country where Christianity and Islam dominate public life.

The discussion also reopened wider debates around expensive funerals, social pressure and the burden many Malawian families face trying to organise “respectable” burials even while living in poverty.

For some social media users, Harawa’s comments reflected a growing frustration with performative funeral culture where families spend heavily on coffins, transport and ceremonies while surviving relatives remain in financial distress afterward.

Others simply described the post as bold, uncomfortable and deeply thought-provoking.

Harawa has long been associated with outspoken cultural commentary through his work with Black Missionaries, one of Malawi’s most influential reggae bands known for tackling social and political issues.

Key facts

• Ray Harawa said he does not want religious ceremonies at his funeral.
• The Black Missionaries manager asked not to be buried in a coffin or casket.
• He said funeral money should instead help disadvantaged people.
• Harawa also rejected the practice of transporting bodies long distances for burial.
• The Facebook post has triggered widespread debate across Malawi social media.