Photo of the late Bernice Offei
Veteran gospel musician Bernice Offei has been laid to rest after a burial service at the Legon Interdenominational Church (LIC) in Accra on Saturday, November 14, 2026. Family members, friends, colleagues and sympathisers gathered to bid farewell to the “Life Is Short” hitmaker, whose music ministry spanned more than three decades.
Quick Facts
- Bernice Offei was buried on Saturday, November 14, 2026, after a service at the Legon Interdenominational Church, Accra.
- She died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, aged 63.
- Filing past ran from 7am to 9am, followed by the burial service from 9am to 11am; the interment was private.
- A thanksgiving service is scheduled for Sunday, November 15, at 10:30am at the same church.
- She won Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year at the 2009 Ghana Music Awards.
Watch: Bernice Offei sings ‘Hold On’ a cappella
Shortly after news of her death broke in September, a clip of Bernice Offei singing “Hold On” without music resurfaced online. Channel1 TV shared it on X:
Video of the late gospel singer Bernice Offei performing her song ‘Hold On’ a cappella.
— Channel1 TV (@Channel1TVGHA) September 12, 2026
Bernice Offei Burial: How the Final Rites Went
Saturday’s programme opened with a filing past from 7am to 9am, giving mourners the chance to pay their last respects. The burial service followed from 9am to 11am, according to GBC Ghana Online.
In line with the family’s arrangements, the interment was private, and the final funeral rites were held at the church afterwards. The family had asked mourners to wear black for Saturday’s service.
The funeral programme will end on Sunday, November 15, with a thanksgiving service at the LIC at 10:30am. Black and white is the dress code for the thanksgiving service, according to YEN.com.gh. The family’s announcement also stated that there would be no sitting after the memorial service.
A Night of Remembrance Opened the Funeral
Funeral activities began on Wednesday, November 11, with a free remembrance night themed “Bernice Offei: Celebrating Her Life and Music” at the same church.
According to 3News, the line-up was led by Dr Mary Ghansah, Cindy Thompson and Pastor Joe Beecham. Joe Mettle, Team Eternity Ghana, Nii Okai, Eugene Zuta, Perez Muzik, Siisi Baidoo, Esther Godwill, Sandra Boakye Duah and Patrick Masoperh were also billed to perform, together with the Harvest Gospel Choir, the LIC Choir and Women in Gospel Music. Most Rev Prof J. Asamoah-Gyadu was scheduled to deliver a special exhortation.
The tributes have not been limited to the funeral. Earlier this week, Nacee paid an emotional tribute to Bernice Offei at his KAVOD 26 concert at the National Theatre.
How Ghana Learnt of Her Passing
Bernice Offei died on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the age of 63. YEN.com.gh reported that she passed away at the University of Ghana Medical Centre (UGMC).
Gospel musician Nii Okai first announced the news on Facebook, and her former manager and music producer Kwasi Ernest later confirmed it, according to MyJoyOnline. Tributes poured in from across the music industry, including from Bishop Dag Heward-Mills, founder of Lighthouse Chapel International.
Days before her death, she had been reported missing in Accra on September 1 before she was found. Kwasi Ernest told MyJoyOnline that she had battled dementia for about five years, a condition he said “affected her memory and ability to carry out everyday activities.” The family has not publicly disclosed the cause of death.
Bernice Offei’s Life Beyond the Microphone
Born Bernice Ofeibea Djoleto, she combined music with a career in banking and academia. She attended Achimota School, where her music ministry started in the late 1970s, and later earned an MPhil in Crop Science from the University of Ghana.
She also held a master’s degree in Information Technology from University College London. In banking, she rose to become head of the Card Centre at Standard Chartered Bank Ghana, according to YEN.com.gh.
She was married to Prof Samuel Kwame Offei, a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, and the couple had two children.
The Songs That Defined Her Gospel Career
Bernice Offei released six studio albums and recorded more than 40 songs. Her albums include We Are Victors, Me Kosu, Grateful and Life.
Her catalogue features songs such as “Life Is Short”, “Hold On”, “Kaa She Gbeyei”, “It’s By Grace”, “Nyame Kokroko” and “N’adom Ara Kwa”, which carried messages of faith, hope and perseverance.
Her 2007 album Life earned her Best Female Vocal Performance and Songwriter of the Year at the 2009 Ghana Music Awards, now known as the Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
The Story Behind ‘Life Is Short’
Her best-known song came from a family moment. Graphic Online reported that the idea struck when her children laughed at her for struggling to read without glasses, just as she had once laughed at her own parents. The death of a young friend shortly before she recorded the song shaped its message further.
“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 once explained, as quoted by Pulse Ghana.
Fans who grew up on her music will remember her alongside other gospel voices the industry has lost, including gospel musician KODA, who passed away in 2024.
A Legacy That Lives On
With her burial now done, the focus turns to Sunday’s thanksgiving service at the LIC, where family, friends and the gospel fraternity are expected to give thanks for a life that touched many through song.
Also Read on Halmblog
- Nacee Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Bernice Offei at KAVOD 26 Concert
- Akwaboah Says Holy Spirit’s ‘Small Voice’ Inspired New Spirit Album Released on 11/11
- Gospel Musician KODA Passes Away
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