Concept:Funeral rites in African tradition are rituals that help the deceased move from the living world to the ancestral world.Explanation:In African traditional belief, dying is seen as a transition into the spirit world.The funeral rites are performed to prepare the deceased for this journey and to ensure they join the ancestors peacefully.Thus, the main purpose of the rites performed by the family is to ensure a smooth transition to the afterlife.Answer:D. ensure smooth transition to the afterlife