'Dead' man wakes up at his own funeral

A 95-year-old man has shocked family members after he miraculously woke up at his own funeral despite being declared dead. Photo / 123rf

A 95-year-old man has shocked family members after he miraculously woke up at his own funeral despite being declared dead.

Budh Ram Gujjar had fainted last Saturday in northern India and failed to regain consciousness, so his family called a doctor who declared him dead.

The local priest was called to deliver the 95-year-old his last rites, while family members shaved their heads as part of the grieving tradition.

The man's eldest son, Balu Ram, 65, told reporters that the family were preparing to bathe his father's body as is customary before a funeral.

But when relatives began to pour water on the 95-year-old his body started shivering and within a few minutes, he gained consciousness, according to the Times of India.

"The priest had started the rituals and a barber had shaved the heads of the men in the family," said Balu Ram.

"We were about to bathe the body as a customary practice before the funeral procession."

In disbelief, the family took him to bed where he slept.

The family say "this is a very happy day for us" and plan to celebrate Gujjar's ongoing life with a "grand" party.