Funeral Cloth & Aseda Printing in Ghana — Designs, Prices & Where to Print
In Ghanaian culture, funeral cloth — commonly known as aseda cloth or memorial cloth — is one of the most meaningful elements of a funeral celebration. These specially printed fabrics are distributed to family members, friends, and mourners as a lasting tribute to the deceased. Wearing the funeral cloth at the burial and memorial service is a powerful way to show unity, honour the departed, and create a visual symbol of shared grief and love. This guide covers everything you need to know about funeral cloth and aseda printing in Ghana.
History and Significance of Aseda Memorial Cloth
The tradition of printing memorial cloth for funerals has deep roots in Ghanaian culture. The word "aseda" means "thanksgiving" or "gratitude" in Akan, and the cloth represents the family's gratitude to those who supported them during the bereavement period. Historically, families would choose a specific cloth pattern and colour for the funeral, and all attendees would purchase and wear the same fabric. Over time, this evolved into custom-printed cloth bearing the name, photograph, and dates of the deceased. Today, aseda cloth is considered an essential part of funeral planning in Ghana and is distributed at the funeral grounds, after the burial, or during the thanksgiving service.
Types of Funeral Cloth
- Aseda Cloth — The most common type. Custom-printed with the deceased's photo, name, birth and death dates, and a memorial message. Usually printed on polyester or polycotton fabric.
- Ntoma (Traditional Cloth) — Some families opt for a pre-existing cloth pattern (such as a specific wax print) rather than a custom-printed design. The family selects a pattern and everyone purchases the same cloth from the market.
- Memorial Fabric — A broader term for any fabric printed specifically for a funeral or memorial event. This can include table covers, backdrops, and decorative fabric used at the funeral venue.
- Kente-Inspired Memorial Cloth — A premium option where the printed design incorporates Kente patterns and motifs, blending traditional Akan textile art with modern printing.
What to Include on the Cloth Label
The printed label on the funeral cloth is the centrepiece of the design. It typically occupies a section of the fabric and is repeated across the full length of cloth. Here is what most families include on their aseda cloth label:
- Full name of the deceased (and any titles or nicknames).
- A clear photograph — usually a formal portrait.
- Date of birth and date of death.
- A short memorial message or Bible verse, such as "Rest in Perfect Peace" or "Forever in Our Hearts".
- Family name or family motto (optional).
- The funeral date (optional but common).
FuneralPress has a free Aseda Cloth Label Designer that lets you create a professional label with all of these elements. Choose from beautiful templates including Kente-inspired borders, floral designs, and classic layouts. Preview your label in real time and download it as a print-ready PDF to send to your cloth printer.
Popular Designs and Patterns
- Kente-Inspired — Features traditional Kente weaving patterns as borders or backgrounds. These designs are colourful and culturally rich, symbolising royalty, honour, and heritage.
- Floral — Soft floral patterns in muted colours like white, cream, gold, or light blue. Popular for their elegant and peaceful appearance.
- Classic / Formal — Clean designs with simple borders, a prominent photo, and clear text. These are timeless and work well for any funeral.
- Photo Collage — Some families choose to feature multiple photos of the deceased at different stages of life. This creates a rich visual tribute on the cloth.
- Religious Motifs — Designs incorporating crosses, Bibles, rosaries, or mosque imagery depending on the faith of the deceased.
Where to Get Funeral Cloth Printed
Funeral cloth printing is a well-established business in Ghana. Here are some of the key cities and areas where you can find cloth printers:
- Accra — Makola Market, Kantamanto, Spintex Road, and Kaneshie are popular areas with cloth printing shops. Many printers in Accra offer digital printing with fast turnaround times.
- Kumasi — Kejetia Market and Adum are hubs for textile printing in the Ashanti Region. Kumasi has a strong tradition of funeral cloth printing and competitive prices.
- Takoradi — The Takoradi Market Circle area has several printing businesses that serve the Western Region.
- Online Orders — Some printing businesses now accept orders via WhatsApp or social media. You send them your design (which you can create on FuneralPress), specify the fabric type and quantity, and they deliver the finished cloth.
Price Ranges for Funeral Cloth Printing
The cost of printing funeral cloth depends on the fabric type, the number of yards, the complexity of the design, and the printer. Below are approximate price ranges as of 2026.
- Polyester Fabric (per yard) — GHS 25 to GHS 50. This is the most affordable option and is widely used for funeral cloth.
- Polycotton Fabric (per yard) — GHS 40 to GHS 80. A slightly higher quality with a softer feel.
- Satin or Premium Fabric (per yard) — GHS 70 to GHS 150. Used for premium or VIP funeral cloth.
- Minimum Order — Most printers require a minimum of 50 to 100 yards.
- Design Fee — Some printers charge GHS 50 to GHS 200 for creating the label design. You can avoid this by designing your own label on FuneralPress for free.
- Bulk Discounts — Ordering 200 yards or more usually brings the per-yard price down significantly.
- Total Cost Example — 100 yards of polyester funeral cloth with a custom label might cost between GHS 3,000 and GHS 6,000 all-in.
Save on design costs by creating your own aseda cloth label on FuneralPress. Our free editor gives you professional templates and a print-ready PDF that any cloth printer in Ghana can work with.