New Delhi, July 12 -- A man in China bought a coffin for his 70-year-old mother, alive, and hired 16 men to carry it home. He calls it a sign of love and respect.

The man, from Hunan province, believes this gesture will bring his mother good luck and a long life. A viral video showed the cheerful elderly woman sitting inside the coffin holding a fan. The men carried it in a procession.

A brass band played, and a crowd followed them. After reaching home, a traditional ceremony with incense and offerings was held. A villager said he had seen such events three times before.

"The core idea is to express filial piety. It is a rural tradition. The elderly are usually very happy about it, but it is not very common these days," he told Guizhou...