CHINA: A Chinese woman who was mistakenly declared dead and nearly cremated before a funeral worker realised she was still alive has gone on to become an award-winning painting artist in her life today.

The woman’s story has resurfaced online more than three decades later, drawing much interest on Chinese social media.

What began as a tragic mistake became a powerful example of compassion, second chances and personal grit, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported (July 18).

A funeral worker spotted the sign everyone else missed

Chen Cuiju, now 49, grew up in a poor family in Guizhou province. At 18, she left home in 1995 to work in a factory in Dongguan, Guangdong province. Long hours and poor working conditions left her severely malnourished.

While running a fever one day, she collapsed near a river and slipped into a coma. She remained there until a boatman found her on the riverbank days later. Without identification and barely showing signs of life, she was mistaken for an unidentified body and taken to a funeral home.

As a crematorium worker prepared to cremate her, he noticed one of her feet move slightly. Realising she was still alive, he alerted police and Chen was rushed to hospital.

Doctors treated her for severe malnutrition, dehydration and multiple organ failure. Although she had no identification, money, or family nearby, the hospital continued to treat her and covered the medical costs.

After more than three months in intensive care, she recovered and was reunited with her family with help from local authorities.

Painting gave her a second chance at life

News of Chen’s extraordinary survival experience, described as “returning from death,” spread across China. She received letters from strangers offering encouragement and even job opportunities.

One letter changed her future. It came from Chen Zhonglian, an art teacher in Jinhua, Zhejiang province. Deeply moved by Chen’s experience, Chen Zhonglian invited her to study painting and offered to pay for her education and living expenses.

He believed that learning a skill could help her build an independent future and avoid similar hardship.

After moving to Jinhua in 1996, Chen Cuiju struggled with painful memories and low self-confidence. Some people treated her as someone who brought bad luck. Her teacher, however, encouraged Chen to mix with classmates, nurtured her artistic talent and persuaded her to enter painting competitions.

Art became he...