There is ths man i knw in my village who refused to perform the burial ceremony of hs son who was confirmed to be dead for the past 12yrs. He said that hs son might stil be alive bt one of hs sons friend that took part in that dangerous trip confirmed that the guy was dead.
According to the man,he said that it wl be over hs dead body that such wl be perform. He told a live story of a man that hs people thot has bn dead long during the Nigeria civil war only to returned home after 23yrs bt hs family had already done the burial ceremony ten years after d civil war .A ritual was said to be performed for hm to continue living bt he decline and he later run mad and died.
Pls hw long cn one wait in such a circumstance.

This is a difficult one. I have an uncle whose burial rites has been performed cos they were informed by his friends that he died of dehydration or whatever on their trip abroad by road. But then, his twin says strongly she doesn't think he is dead cos she has dreams and feelings he doesn't want to be bothered until he hammers and returns.
Sorry to derail but I'll only perform burial rites for a loved one if I can confirm his/her death beyond reports from friends.

May be 30yrs max.

It can be a permanently open chapter or decision as long as they are not convinced that their loved one is dead. However it may be frustrating if there are people involved, who are because of this prevented from moving on and remarrying.