Liberia: Casket Makers Accuse St. Moses Funeral Home of Monopoly Practices, Management Denies Allegations

Monrovia-A group of local casket makers under the banner of the Liberia Casket Union has accused St. Moses and other Funeral Homes of engaging in ‘‘monopolistic and coercive’’ business practices that are crippling small-scale casket producers along the Japan Freeway and other parts of Liberia

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By Willie N. Tokpah

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According to Prince Massaquoi, such actions not only violate principles of fair trade but also undermine the survival of local artisans who depend solely on the free choice of consumers to sustain their families.

“This kind of coercive behavior is not only unethical, but it directly undermines our ability to operate and survive as small businesses,” he said.

“We are not asking for special treatment, only for fair competition.”

At a press briefing held in Monrovia on Friday, October 24, 2025, Mr.  Massaquoi, a representative of local casket makers, said that for several years, small business owners in the funeral supply industry have suffered financial losses due to unfair business tactics allegedly employed by St. Moses and other large funeral homes.

“We have received multiple reports from customers who initially expressed interest in purchasing caskets from us, even paying deposits. But soon after, those same customers returned to say they were compelled by St. Moses and other Funeral Homes to cancel their orders and buy only from them,” Mr. Massaquoi explained.

The casket makers have called on the Government of Liberia (GoL), the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Liberia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (LCCPC) to investigate what they described as anti-competitive practices within the funeral services sector.

“Let no one funeral home, no matter how large, deny others their right to earn a living,” Mr.  Massaquoi pleaded.

“Let the market be free, fair, and open for all,” he stated.

When contacted on the matter, Moses H. Ahossouhe, Manager of St. Moses Funeral Home and President of the Liberia Funeral Service Association, confirmed that his establishment requires families using their funeral services to purchase caskets directly from his funeral home.

“It is part of our policy,” Mr. Ahossouhe stated.

 “We also produce our own caskets, which are of higher quality than the ones sold outside, so families are mandated to buy from us.”

 Mr. Ahossouhe further dismissed the existence of the Liberia Casket Union, saying, “I do not recognize any group called the Liberia Casket Union and therefore cannot give credence to their statement,” he asserted.

The Liberia Casket Union insists that the policy of St. Moses Funeral Home amounts to economic intimidation, arguing that customers should have the freedom to choose where to purchase burial materials, regardless of which funeral home handles the service.

 The group has vowed to petition the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and  other relevant agencies to ensure that small businesses are protected from what they described as “a growing culture of market control” within the funeral industry.

 “We want to compete fairly,” Mr. Massaquoi emphasized. “But if large funeral homes continue to use their influence to block customers from doing business with us, then the government must intervene.”

 ‘‘Failure of the government to swiftly address their concern, the group has vowed to stage a demonstration at St. Moses and other funeral homes until the government addresses their plight.’’ 

 The Liberia Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (LCCPC) has yet to issue a formal response regarding the casket makers’ complaint, but legal analysts note that any policy compelling customers to buy from one supplier could fall under scrutiny for potential violations of Liberia’s fair-trade laws.