Coffin Refuses to Be Buried as Mourners Flee in Panic During Chaos in Petauke Village

A burial ceremony turned into an unforgettable spectacle on Tuesday, August 23, 2025, when a coffin carrying the body of a 49-year-old man reportedly refused to enter the grave, causing panic and chaos that lasted over seven hours.

The incident occurred in Chief Kalindawalo’s area, where hundreds had Lucas Ganizani gathered to bid farewell to the late Lucas Ganizani, a businessman who had passed away under unclear circumstances. But what began as a solemn send-off quickly spiralled into confusion when attempts to lower the coffin into the grave met strong resistance — literally.

Eyewitnesses say as the pallbearers tried to place the casket into the ground, it became mysteriously heavy and unbalanced, with some claiming they heard strange humming sounds. When a second team tried to assist, one of the straps snapped and the coffin tilted sharply, nearly toppling over. Women began wailing, and several people fled the scene in fear.

“It was as if the coffin had grown roots. Even five strong men could not lower it. That is when we knew this burial had spiritual issues,” said Elder Andrew, one of the elders present.

The burial was immediately halted, and clan elders called for a brief cleansing ritual to appease the spirit of the deceased. According to family members, Lucas Ganizani had died after a short illness, but there were rumours that he had been involved in land disputes and unresolved family feuds in the weeks leading to his death.

A relative claimed the deceased had warned in his final days that he would not rest until a certain cousin confessed to poisoning him.

“He said, ‘I will go, but you will know the truth when you try to bury me’,” the cousin revealed tearfully during the ceremony.

Local spiritual leaders and elders gathered quickly and advised that the coffin be opened slightly and the man’s favourite item — an old red jacket — be placed beside his body. Moments after the jacket was added and a traditional prayer was spoken, the coffin became mysteriously lighter and was finally lowered into the grave without further incident.

By this time, however, many mourners had already fled the scene. Some only returned after hearing the burial had been completed safely.

Incidents like these, while rare, are not unheard of in parts of eastern Zambia. In some communities, it is believed that unsettled spirits or angry ancestors can disrupt funerals as a way of demanding justice, revealing secrets, or punishing the living for past wrongs.

Spiritual experts warn that burials involving unusual resistance, strange sounds, or coffin behaviour should never be ignored or dismissed as a coincidence.

One of the leading traditional specialists who handles such spiritual disturbances is Dr Mawanda. With over two decades of experience dealing with unsettled spirits, generational curses, and funeral complications, Dr Mawanda has been called to intervene in dozens of cases where burials went wrong or gravesites rejected bodies.

From spiritual cleansing to ancestral reconciliation, his rituals have helped families across Southern Africa to ensure smooth funerals and protect their homes from hauntings, night disturbances, or mysterious illnesses that sometimes follow chaotic burials.

If your family is experiencing unexplained spiritual problems after a burial, or if a coffin fails to settle properly during the final rites, you can consult Dr Mawanda in confidence. He is available via +260774728835 for appointments, home visits, or emergency rituals.

The Ganizani family has since called a reconciliation meeting among clan members and agreed to conduct a follow-up cleansing next week to prevent any further spiritual backlash.

“We don’t want this spirit to come back at night. Let him rest in peace finally,” said one elder.