Chinese family buries Rs 1.49 crore Mercedes as funeral rites. Authorities step in

A lavish funeral gesture in China has sparked a heated online debate after a family buried a luxury Mercedes-Benz alongside a deceased relative, raising questions about excess and environmental impact.

As reported by South China Morning Post, the incident took place in Liaoning province, where the Jin family arranged for the high-end vehicle to be placed into a grave as part of funeral rites. Videos that surfaced online showed an excavator lowering the car into a dug-out pit before it was covered with soil, a visual that quickly caught the internet’s attention.

The vehicle in question was said to be a Mercedes-Benz S450L, worth around 1.5 million yuan (roughly Rs 1.49 crore). It also bore the number plate ‘8888’, which is widely regarded as a symbol of good fortune in Chinese culture, adding another layer of significance to the act.

While the family’s intention was tied to traditional beliefs, where items are offered to accompany the deceased in the afterlife, the scale of the gesture drew sharp criticism. Many social media users called it wasteful and damaging to the environment, especially given the resources involved. At the same time, a section of users defended the move, describing it as a personal and cultural expression of respect for the departed.

Authorities did not take the matter lightly. Local officials stepped in soon after the video went viral, calling the act a form of ‘feudal superstition’ and warning against such practices. The civil affairs department confirmed that the family had been reprimanded, and an investigation was initiated.

The Jin family later issued a public apology. They could now face financial penalties and may also be required to bear the cost of removing the buried vehicle, clearing the site, and restoring the surrounding environment.

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