CHAPTER ONE: Introduction                                                                    1

1.1      Background to the Study                                                                  1

1.2      Statement of the Problem                                                                 3

1.3      Significance of the Study                                                                  5        

1.4      Scope of the Study                                                                           5

1.5      Aim and Research Objectives                                                           6

1.6      Research Questions                                                                          6

1.7      Research Hypotheses                                                                       7

1.8      Methodology of the Study                                                                7

1.8.1   Types and Sources of Data                                                               7

1.8.2   Method of Data Collection                                                               7

1.8.3   Method of Data Analysis                                                                  8

1.9      Scope of the Study                                                                           8

1.10    Study Area                                                                                      8

CHAPTER TWO: Conceptual Clarification and Literature Review                   10

2.1      Conceptual Review                                                                          10

2.1.     Cemeteries: Public Resources or Source of Environmental 

          Degradation                                                                                     10

2.1.2   Mortuary Studies                                                                             12

2.2      Literature Review                                                                            13

CHAPTER THREE: Data Presentation and Analysis                                   19

3.0      Introduction                                                                                     19

3.1      Socio-economic Characteristics of Respondents                                20

3.1.1   Location Distribution of Respondents                                               20

3.1.2   Gender Distribution of Respondents                                                  21

3.1.3   Age Distribution of Respondents                                                      22

3.1.4   Marital Status Distribution of respondents                                         23

3.1.5   Religion Distribution of Respondents                                                24

3.1.6   Educational Qualification Distribution of Respondents                      25

3.1.7   Occupation Distribution of Respondents                                           26

3.1.8   Monthly Earning Distribution of Respondents                                   27

3.1.9   What type of Building do you live in?                                               28

3.2      Location of Public Cemeteries in the Study Area                               29

3.2.1   Location of Cemetery to Area                                                           29

3.2.2   Distance of Cemetery to house                                                         30

3.3      Perception of residents on the Location and Accessibility of 

          Cemeteries                                                                                      31

3.3.1   Perception on the location of cemetery close to residential building        31

3.3.2    Experience based on closeness of cemetery to residential building                       32

3.3.3   Frequently Used Cemetery by Respondents                                       33

3.3.4   Distance of Cemetery Frequently Used by the Family                        34

3.3.5   Preference of Frequently used Cemetery to other ones                       35

3.4      Test of Hypotheses                                                                           36       

3.4.1   An examination of the effect of location of the respondents on the             preference of cemetery types.                                                          36

3.4.2   An examination of the religion of the respondents to their view on the 

          closeness of cemetery to a residential building                                   37

CHAPTER FOUR: Summary, Conclusion and Recommendations             39

4.1      Summary                                                                                         39

4.2      Conclusion and Recommendations                                                   40

References                                                                                                 42

Appendix                                                                                                   47

LIST OF TABLES

Tables                              Title                                                                 Pages

3.1.1   Location Distribution of Respondents                                               20

3.1.2   Gender Distribution of Respondents                                                  21

3.1.3   Age Distribution of Respondents                                                      22

3.1.4   Marital Status Distribution of respondents                                         23

3.1.5   Religion Distribution of Respondents                                                24

3.1.6   Educational Qualification Distribution of Respondents                      25

3.1.7   Occupation Distribution of Respondents                                           26

3.1.8   Monthly Earning Distribution of Respondents                                   27

3.1.9   What type of Building do you live in?                                               28

3.2.1   Location of Cemetery to Area                                                           29

3.2.2   Distance of Cemetery to house                                                         30

3.3.1   Perception on the location of cemetery close to residential building        31

3.3.2    Experience based on closeness of cemetery to residential building                       32

3.3.3   Frequently Used Cemetery by Respondents                                       33

3.3.4   Distance of Cemetery Frequently Used by the Family                        34

3.3.5   Preference of Frequently used Cemetery to other ones                       35

3.4.1   An examination of the effect of location of the respondents on the             preference of cemetery types.                                                          36

3.4.1   Cross tabulation of location of respondents and the type of 

          cemetery used                                                                                  36

3.4.2    Chi-square Test                                                                                               36

3.4.3   Cross tabulation of religion of respondents and closeness of

          cemetery to residential house                                                           37

3.4.4    Chi-square Test                                                                                               37

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Title                                                                                        Pages

3.1.1   Location Distribution of Respondents                                               20

3.1.2   Gender Distribution of Respondents                                                  21

3.1.3   Age Distribution of Respondents                                                      22

3.1.4   Marital Status Distribution of respondents                                         23

3.1.5   Religion Distribution of Respondents                                                24

3.1.6   Educational Qualification Distribution of Respondents                      25

3.1.7   Occupation Distribution of Respondents                                           26

3.1.8   Monthly Earning Distribution of Respondents                                   27

3.1.9   What type of Building do you live in?                                               28

3.2.1   Location of Cemetery to Area                                                           29

3.2.2   Distance of Cemetery to house                                                         30

3.3.1   Perception on the location of cemetery close to residential building        31

3.3.2    Experience based on closeness of cemetery to residential building                       32

3.3.3   Frequently Used Cemetery by Respondents                                       33

3.3.4   Distance of Cemetery Frequently Used by the Family                        34

3.3.5   Preference of Frequently used Cemetery to other ones                       35 

This study examine the spatial pattern and patronage of cemeteries in Ijebu-north local government area of Ogun state. The focus of the study was to examine the spatial distribution of cemeteries, the factors of location of public cemeteries and the perception of residents on the location and accessibility of the cemeteries. Primary and secondary data were used in the study. Simple random sampling techniques was employed to select one hundred and twenty respondents that constitutes the sample for the study. Questionnaire was the prime instrument that was used to gather information from the respondents. Data generated were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as simple percentage, frequency count and chi-square method of analysis. Findings from the study showed that 36.7% of the respondents affirmed that the nearest cemetery to their house is between 500m-1km. 48.3% of the respondents indicated that cemetery closeness to residential building is appropriate while 38.3% of the respondents indicated that the closeness of their house to cemetery cause psychological disturbance. The frequently used cemetery by the respondents is Areodi cemetery which is less than 500m to the residential house. The preference of the frequently used cemetery as indicated by 36.7% of the respondents showed the closeness to the house is the reason for their preference of frequently used cemetery to other ones. The tested hypothesis revealed that the three zones (Ijebu-igbo, Oru and Ago-iwoye) in Ijebu north preferred Areodi Cemetery. It also showed that religion does not determine the respondents view on the closeness of cemetery to residential house. Among other recommendations is that there should be improvement on the management of the use of land, with particular attention to territorial relations which can be an important step in developing a positive link between adjacent land uses.