Marciana Silva Barcelos and her family were in a hearse on their way to a cemetery in the town of Alvorada in the southern Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul when the vehicle was hit by another car from behind, causing the coffin to hit the woman. She died instantly.

The woman's husband died on Sunday of a heart-attack at the age of 76 while dancing at a party.

An investigation has been launched into the incident, which also saw the driver of the hearse and one of the dead man's sons receive minor injuries.