Mentally disabled women murdered and sold as 'corpse brides' in China

'Ghost weddings' are an ancient ritual that provide spouses for those who die unmarried

A man repaints the letters on a grave during the 'Qingming' festival, or Tomb Sweeping Day, at a cemetary in Babaoshan in Beijing (AFP/Getty Images)

A man has been charged with the murder of two women with mental disabilities whose corpses were allegedly sold to be used in “ghost weddings”.

Police in the Shaanxi province in China have charged a man and two supposed accomplices, after a body of a woman was apparently found in their car.

When questioned, they were said to have admitted to transporting the corpse for a ghost marriage, the Irish Times reported.

The men had allegedly earlier promised the dead woman's family that they would find her a husband. Instead, they are accused of injecting her with sedatives, killing her.

Police believe the same man may have also murdered another woman.

The ancient ritual of ghost weddings has been practiced for 3,000 years and provides spouses for those who die unmarried, so they are not alone in the afterlife.

The most important part of the ceremony is digging up the bones of the bride and putting them inside the groom's grave.

Demand for ghost weddings has continued to rise despite efforts by authorities in Beijing to clamp down on the superstition, according to The Telegraph.