BY GRACE ZIGAH
The family of late Ghanaian gospel musician Bernice Offei, renowned for her inspirational hit song Life Is Short, has announced that she will be laid to rest on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at the Legon Interdenominational Church (LIC) in Accra.
The funeral arrangements will bring together family members, fellow gospel musicians, church leaders, friends and admirers to celebrate the life and legacy of the veteran singer, whose music touched many lives through messages of faith, perseverance and the fleeting nature of life.
Bernice Offei died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC), aged 63. News of her death was first shared publicly by fellow gospel musician Nii Okai, prompting an outpouring of tributes from Ghana’s gospel music community and the wider public.
The family has not publicly disclosed the cause of her death. According to a funeral poster released by the family, the Legon Interdenominational Church will host the principal funeral activities, beginning with a remembrance night on Wednesday, November 11, 2026.
The remembrance service is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m., providing an opportunity for mourners to reflect on the singer’s life, music ministry and contributions to gospel music in Ghana.
On Saturday, November 14, filing past will commence at 7:00 a.m., followed by the burial service from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Burial arrangements will be private, while the final funeral rites will take place at the church after the service.
The family has also announced a thanksgiving service for Sunday, November 15, at 10:30 a.m. Mourners are expected to wear black on Saturday and black and white on Sunday.
Her widower, Professor Samuel Kwame Offei, is a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana.
Beyond her achievements as a gospel musician, Bernice Offei also built a career in the banking sector before devoting herself fully to music ministry.
She reportedly rose through the ranks at Standard Chartered Bank Ghana to become head of its Card Centre, demonstrating a professional career that extended beyond the entertainment industry.
Her musical journey began in the late 1970s when she was a student at Achimota School. Over the years, she established herself as one of Ghana’s respected gospel music voices, releasing albums including We Are Victors, Me Kosu, Grateful and Life.
Her songs Life Is Short and Hold On became among her best-known works, with their messages encouraging listeners to remain conscious of life’s brevity, hold on to their faith and persevere through difficult circumstances.
Her contribution to the industry was also recognised at the Ghana Music Awards in 2009, where she won Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year.
Tributes Pour In After Her Death
Following the announcement of her passing, tributes came from several figures within Ghana’s gospel music fraternity and the Christian community.
Among those who honoured her memory was Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, founder of Lighthouse Chapel International.
Her death also renewed public interest in her music, particularly Hold On, after a video of her performing the song resurfaced on social media.
In the clip, the singer delivered an a cappella rendition while holding a bottle of water after an interviewer asked her to sing. Some social media users were moved by the song’s message, drawing connections between its themes of perseverance and the news of her death.
Days before her passing, reports had indicated that the singer had been reported missing in Accra. Subsequent reports said she had been located safely. Her death on September 12 later came as a shock to many admirers.
