A Malaysian infant dead 50 years and a teenager who died of kidney failure three decades ago were “married” at the weekend by a temple medium in a ceremony on the resort island of Penang.

The ghost nuptials come during the month long Chinese Hungry Ghost festival, where local Chinese believe spirits of the deceased are released from Hell to roam the earth and when relatives offer them food and take care of their needs to appease the spirits.

In a front page article, the Star Daily reported Chee Yu Quan was married to Cheah Beng Eng in a traditional Chinese tea ceremony where the deceased bride and groom were represented by paper effigies, surrounded by family members.

The bride’s mother, Ong Kim Luan, 74 said Cheah has expressed her intention to get married during a ceremony at last year’s festival, the paper reported.

“We were shocked and doubtful at first. But when we got a telephone call from the temple the following day, telling us that a ‘guy’ had requested for my daughter’s hand through a medium, we knew the request was for real,” Ong said.

Ong said the medium told them the couple met in the afterworld two years ago and their relationship bloomed.

She said after the temple contacted Chee’s family to tell them of his intention, both families got together to arrange the wedding.

Ong told the paper she was glad to see her daughter tying the knot, even in the afterworld.

“She couldn’t pass over and reincarnate as it was her wish to be married. I hope she can be born into a good family and be a healthy and happy person in her next life,” Ong said.