A burial ceremony took an unexpected turn after a woman was filmed pouring alcohol directly onto a coffin, in footage that has since gone viral and sparked fierce debate about how Kenyans are conducting funerals.
The clip was shared on TikTok by user Defelas on Friday, September 4, 2026, under the caption “These funerals are getting out of hand.”
In the video, the woman steps forward during what appears to be a graveside gathering and deliberately pours the drink over the casket, seemingly as an act of tribute to the deceased.
Why do people pour libations?
The act, while not entirely unheard of in some cultures where alcohol is poured as a libation for the departed, clearly struck many viewers as crossing a line at a formal burial.
Pouring libations has deep roots in various African traditions, where it is performed to honour ancestors and invite their blessings.
However, the manner in which the woman carried it out in the video appeared to sit outside conventional funeral etiquette, prompting strong reactions online.
How are funerals evolving?
The footage tapped into a broader unease many people have expressed about how funerals are evolving, with some arguing that ceremonies are increasingly becoming platforms for spectacle rather than solemn occasions for mourning.
Defelas, who posted the clip, appeared to use it as commentary on what they see as a deterioration in the dignity of burial ceremonies.
The caption framed the act as “out of hand,” suggesting disapproval, though the post drew a wide range of opinions from viewers.
Social media users divided over woman’s behaviour
Some viewers defended the woman, arguing that people grieve differently and that offering alcohol to the dead is a culturally rooted practice in many communities.
Others were less forgiving, insisting that a graveside service demands a level of decorum that such a gesture fails to respect.
The video has kept attention fixed on a question many Kenyans have long debated: where should the line be drawn between personal expression at a funeral and the collective need to grieve with dignity?
@diffyilayaThese funerals are getting out of hand ..
