Did You Know: In France, You Can Marry A Dead Person

Can you marry a dead person? Say you are dating this person you love so much, plan to get married then they die before you get married, will you go ahead and marry them?

In France, you are allowed to marry a dead person provided to give enough compelling reasons, that while the deceased was still alive, you had plans of marrying each other and settling down some day.

The Posthumous Matrimony is legal in France. It dates back to the First World War where fiancées and girlfriends of soldiers who were killed in the war would tie a knot with their dead lovers through a proxy.

In 1950, it was made into law. Under this law, the living partner has to get approval from the President as well as Justice Minister. A simple ceremony is held where the bride or the groom stands beside the photo of their significant other. Vows are then made. “I do” is replaced with “I did” while “Till death do us part” is eliminated.