Divya 
Ghost marriage, an ancient Chinese tradition dating back over 3,000 years, continues to be practiced in several regions of China and other Asian countries. Rooted in the belief that life continues after death, ghost marriage involves the union of deceased individuals, sometimes even between a living person and a dead partner.
The tradition, still prevalent in provinces such as Shanxi, Shandong, and Hebei, reflects the cultural belief that the afterlife mirrors the real world, where marriage, wealth, and family lineage hold great significance. Elderly Chinese believe that if a person dies unmarried, their soul may wander restlessly, potentially bringing misfortune to the living. Thus, ghost marriage is seen as a way to honor the dead and ensure peace in the afterlife.
There are two main types of ghost marriages. The first involves couples who were engaged or romantically linked before death, with families arranging a proper wedding ceremony and burying them together. The second type is arranged posthumously by matchmakers, often involving individuals who never met in life. Matchmakers evaluate age, family status, occupation, and photos before arranging the union. In such cases, bodies or ashes are often exhumed and reburied together.
In some rare cases, ghost marriages occur between a living person and a deceased one. A photograph or clothing of the dead is used during the ceremony to represent their presence. These weddings follow traditional rituals and are believed to help fulfill the emotional and cultural obligations of the living.
The ghost marriage industry has also given rise to darker practices. The demand for female remains has led to illegal activities, including body theft and even murder. In 2016, a man in Gansu province killed two mentally ill women and sold their bodies for ghost marriages, a crime that led to his execution in 2021. Similarly, in 2021, funeral workers in Shandong were caught selling the ashes of a female internet celebrity.
To curb such crimes, the Chinese government has tightened laws and increased penalties for desecrating graves or trafficking human remains. However, ghost marriages remain a complex blend of tradition, emotion, and taboo in modern China.
Similar customs exist in Taiwan, Thailand, and Malaysia. In Taiwan, red envelopes with personal items of the deceased are left on roads, and anyone who picks one up is expected to marry the deceased. These rituals highlight the enduring belief in love, duty, and companionship even beyond death.
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