Users' questions

Can you be married posthumously?

Can you be married posthumously?

Posthumous sealings can be performed to eternally wed a living person and a deceased spouse (with a live church member standing as a proxy for the deceased), or, more commonly, between two deceased persons (with a living man and woman standing in as proxies).

What happens after death marriage?

No. You are only married “til death do you part”. Once your spouse dies, you are a widow/widower and free to remarry, if you choose. Many widow(er)s consider themselves to be married afterward, simply because they CHOOSE to do so.

Why would someone marry a dead person?

The intention behind the practice seems to be to enable someone to complete the process of marriage in circumstances where the deceased had intended for the marriage to take place, but died before it could be finalised.

How do you marry a dead person?

A simple ceremony is then held in which the bride or groom stands beside a photo of their significant other. The phrase “till death do us part” is eliminated from the vows and “I do” is replaced with saying “I did.” To qualify, one must provide compelling evidence that the deceased intended to marry them while alive.

Are there any cases of posthumous marriage in the Western world?

People in parts of China perform ghost marriages meant to “pacify the souls” of the dead. In the Western world, posthumous marriage is famously legal in France, where some women were permitted to marry soldiers who had been killed in battle during World War I.

What happens to the property after a posthumous marriage?

No matrimonial property is considered to have existed between the two living spouses. After a posthumous marriage the living spouse inherently becomes a widow or widower. Posthumous marriage will also bring the surviving spouse into the family of the deceased spouse, which can create an alliance or moral satisfaction.

Are there any communities in India that practice posthumous marriage?

The Billava community is one of a few in India that practice posthumous marriage. Others that do so include the Badagas, Komatis and the Todas. In China there is a rare tradition called minghun or a spirit marriage. This can be performed between two deceased singles, or between a dead person and a living person.

What are the rules for posthumous marriage in France?

Article 171 of the Civil Code requires that application refers to serious reasons for posthumous marriage. The President of the Republic carefully considers the seriousness of the circumstances of the death. In France, a woman will often stand next to a picture of her deceased fiancé while the ceremony is taking place.

People in parts of China perform ghost marriages meant to “pacify the souls” of the dead. In the Western world, posthumous marriage is famously legal in France, where some women were permitted to marry soldiers who had been killed in battle during World War I.

Can a judge question the authority of a posthumous marriage?

The judge cannot question the authority of the documents. Article 171 of the Civil Code requires that application refers to serious reasons for posthumous marriage. The President of the Republic carefully considers the seriousness of the circumstances of the death.

Can a living spouse receive property from a posthumous marriage?

Dimichel described the marriage as perfect and stated that “it remained in the spirit of a wedding”. The law does not permit the living spouse to receive any of the deceased spouse’s property or money. No matrimonial property is considered to have existed between the two living spouses.

The Billava community is one of a few in India that practice posthumous marriage. Others that do so include the Badagas, Komatis and the Todas. In China there is a rare tradition called minghun or a spirit marriage. This can be performed between two deceased singles, or between a dead person and a living person.