Controversy Erupts After Luxury Car Buried as Funeral Offering in China

On April 9, 2026, a luxury Mercedes-Benz S450L was buried as a funeral offering in Liaoyang, Liaoning Province, China, sparking widespread public condemnation and a government investigation into the legality of the ritual.

Video footage shared on the social media platform Sina Weibo showed a black sedan being lowered into a pit next to a cemetery using an excavator. The vehicle, which retails for approximately 1.1 million yuan (roughly USD 140,000) in China, was decorated with a traditional red ribbon before being covered in soil.

The vehicle featured a highly coveted 8888 license plate. In Chinese culture, the number eight is associated with wealth and good luck and such plates are estimated to be worth at least 100,000 yuan.

Government Investigation and Legal Action

On April 10, 2026, the local government of the Gongchangling district in Liaoyang city issued an official notice regarding the incident. The notice stated that the burial took place in Wazigou village and involved the replacement of tombstones and the burial of a real vehicle during sacrificial activities.

According to the notice, the individual involved, surnamed Jin, buried the car illegally. The government attributed the action to feudal superstition and stated that the district government is handling the case in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

According to preliminary verification, the person involved, surnamed Jin, buried the car illegally due to feudal superstition. Following criticism and education from relevant government departments, the individual has fully recognized his mistakes and is actively cooperating with the rectification.

Notice from Gongchangling district government

Officials from the Civil Affairs Bureau in Liaoyang confirmed the incident occurred in the Gongchangling District. They specifically denied allegations that the burial was a staged social media stunt, confirming that they are investigating the exact circumstances of the event.

Funeral Extravagance and Public Reaction

The burial was reportedly for a businessman from the region. Beyond the interment of the vehicle, other aspects of the funeral drew attention for their extravagance. Video footage showed the bereaved family serving high-end food, including lobster, to mourners under a tent. Some reports indicated that mourners were paid 500 yuan upon attending.

The event triggered a divide in opinion among Chinese netizens. Some users defended the act as a last consideration for parents. However, a significant number of critics described the funeral as a display of grotesque extravagance, calling it an excessive waste and abnormal culture.

Some observers expressed concern that burying high-value items would attract criminal activity. One local commenter noted that a previous burial involving over 10 grams of fine gold had been robbed a few days after the ceremony.