Veteran gospel musician Bernice Offei will be laid to rest on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Legon Interdenominational Church (LIC) in Accra.
The funeral arrangements include a remembrance night on Wednesday, November 11, at 7 p.m., with seating scheduled to begin at 6:30 p.m.
On Saturday, November 14, filing past will take place from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., followed by the burial service from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. The interment will be private, after which the final funeral rites will be held at the church.
A thanksgiving service is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. at the same venue. The funeral announcement also indicates that there will be no sitting after the memorial service.
Bernice, a celebrated gospel musician and professional banker, died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, aged 63. (Read Gospel artiste Bernice Offei dies)
She was renowned for her soulful vocals, spiritual depth and enduring songs, which helped shape Ghana's gospel music scene over several decades. She released six studio albums during her career.
Her sixth album, Life, released in 2007, earned her major recognition at the 2009 Ghana Music Awards, where she won Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year.
She was married to Prof. Samuel Kwame Offei, a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and they had two children. (EDITOR'S LENS: Bernice Offei: When the music becomes a legacy)
One of her most memorable songs, Life Is Short, was inspired by a family experience that made her reflect on the passage of time and the brevity of life.
In an interview, Bernice recalled how she had laughed at her parents as a teenager when they struggled to read without reading glasses. Years later, she found herself in the same situation, prompting her children to laugh at her. (How a joke from Bernice Offei's children inspired 'Life is Short' song)
“My kids didn’t understand why I was doing that. And they were also finding it funny and were actually laughing at me,” she recalled.
The experience made her realise how quickly time passes.
“I realised that, hey, it was just like yesterday,” she said.
She explained that the moment reinforced her belief that life was short and that people had limited time on earth to fulfil their purpose.
“That actually told me the truth about life, that it’s really short. And we really don’t have all the time here on earth,” she said.
The song encouraged listeners to reflect on their purpose and relationship with God.
“We have a purpose here on earth. God has brought us here for a purpose. And we need to make sure that we give a good account of our lives,” she said.
Bernice also disclosed that the death of a young friend shortly before she recorded the song deepened her reflections on life's fragility.
The young man, a student at Archimedes School, was among a group of students she had followed up with after visiting their home to share the word of God.
His death further strengthened her conviction about the uncertainty of life and the need to be prepared to meet God. (Bernice Offei’s legacy, Bernice Offei’s legacy 2)
“One day he’s actually going to call each and every one of us to stand before him,” she said, referring to God.
She ended her reflection with a message that captured the central theme of the song and her faith: “I do hope that when that day comes, you will be ready to meet the Lord.”
