Families of Chinese couple organise 'ghost wedding' after their sudden death in car crash. Full story

Traditional Chinese belief holds that dying without achieving significant life milestones, like marriage, can lead to unrest in the afterlife.

In a bid to find solace after a tragic car accident, the families of a Chinese couple decided to honour their memory by conducting a "ghost marriage."

Yang Jingshan, 31, an international referee for the Malaysia Dragon and Lion Dance Sports Association, and his 32-year-old girlfriend, surnamed Li, were both known for their dedication to their respective professions in Malaysia. They had been in a loving relationship for three years, and Yang had planned to propose to Li in Thailand in June, as reported by China Press, a Malaysian Chinese-language newspaper.

On May 24, the couple’s car tragically overturned on a road in Perak, northwestern Malaysia, resulting in their untimely deaths. In an effort to bring closure, their families arranged a "ghost marriage," a traditional Chinese practice meant to ensure peace for those who pass away without fulfilling their wishes, such as marriage, South China Morning Post reported.

Traditional Chinese belief holds that dying without achieving significant life milestones, like marriage, can lead to unrest in the afterlife. To address this, a "ghost marriage" is performed. There are generally two types: one for couples who were engaged or in a committed relationship before their death, and another for individuals matched posthumously through a matchmaker.

In the latter, families seek suitable deceased partners for their loved ones, considering factors like background, occupation, and age to ensure compatibility. A wedding ceremony is then held, and the bodies are exhumed and buried together in a new grave.

"Influenced by Chinese culture, ghost marriages also exist in many East Asian countries such as North Korea and Japan," Huang Jingchun, a Chinese folklore expert, told digital media outlet The Paper. "The practice helps meet the emotional needs of relatives who are missing their dead loved ones. Whether it is out of longing and compensation for the deceased or for their own interests, the ones who truly seek comfort and relief from anxiety are the living," Huang explained.

Despite its cultural significance, ghost marriages have a darker side. The practice, which dates back 3,000 years, persists in some remote areas of China despite being banned by the government. The commodification of young women's corpses for these marriages is particularly troubling. In 2016, a man from Gansu province murdered two women with mental health conditions and sold their bodies for ghost marriages, receiving a death sentence in 2021.

Similarly, in November 2021, the ashes of a female internet celebrity in Shandong province were stolen and sold by funeral home staff for a ghost marriage. Such crimes can fetch between 50,000 to 70,000 yuan (US$7,000-US$10,000), according to The Beijing News.

The Chinese authorities have been actively working to crack down on these illicit practices. Under Chinese law, anyone found guilty of stealing, raping, or desecrating a corpse can face up to three years in prison.