Man comes back to life minutes before cremation

Deepak Singh believed to be dead, woke up from his funeral pyre and is helped up by family members. (Photo: Twitter/IBC World News)

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.

News
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day
English Heritage deletes debunked claims about pagan origins of Christmas Day

English Heritage has admitted it got it wrong when it shared false claims that the date of Christmas is derived from a pagan Roman festival in honour of a sun god.

Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'
Guinness Book of Records recognises 'the world’s longest serving Sunday School teacher'

Pam Knowles started helping out her church Sunday school in 1951 at the age of 13.

The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations 

Today in the UK we celebrate Christmas and the period around it with many familiar traditions and activities. There is an understandable assumption that we have always done things this way. However, celebrating Christmas has a long and complex history and things change over time. 

Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country
Venezuela stops cardinal from leaving country

The cardinal has spoken out against the excesses of the Maduro government.