An Indian man was miraculously revived just minutes before he was to be cremated this week.

Deepak Singh's family placed him on a funeral pyre and was about to light it when he was awakened by the wailing of his relatives.

Singh's grandson, Banda Nalwa, said the 72-year-old collapsed while tending cattle, and appeared to be lifeless.

"As he started walking over to where the cows are, he suddenly fell to the ground," Nalwa said. "I rushed over and couldn't see any signs of life. I couldn't feel a pulse and his heart seemed to have stopped.

"I called the rest of the family and they agreed," the 26-year-old continued. "We thought he was dead."

A doctor was called and told the family that Singh had passed away.

During the elder's funeral service, the family began their ceremonial death wail, and Singh began to stir.

"As the volume of the wailing increased, I suddenly saw my grandfather's body move," Nalwa said. "At first I thought it was my imagination, but then he opened his eyes and sat up."

Singh woke up just minutes before the fire was set.

"Thank God we didn't set the pyre alight," Nalwa said. "It seems he had just fainted."

Singh joked that his family may have jumped the gun when it came to his funeral and cremation.

"I know I can be a bit of a pain at times," he said. "But I hope they wait till I am actually dead before trying to set me on fire again."

In July, a Filipino toddler that was believed to be dead came to life during her funeral.

A neighbour opened the coffin to arrange the three-year-old girl's body, and noticed her head moving. After checking for breathing and a pulse, they discovered that the girl was alive.

After giving her water, the girl was taken to a clinic, and then brought home.