M'sia woman, 26, loses mother to cancer on same day as her wedding & birthday

A day that was meant to mark the start of a new chapter became one of heartbreak for a 26-year-old bride after her mother passed away just hours before her wedding, which was also on the same date as her birthday.

Nurul Hazwani Alias, also known as “Wanie”, lost her mother, Jewayah Tajally, in the early hours of the morning before going ahead with her marriage solemnisation later that day.

The story has since drawn widespread attention online after a video of the ceremony went viral on TikTok.

Mother died at 3am after battling cancer

Nurul Hazwani told Harian Metro that her mother had been suffering from stage four pancreatic cancer, and the family had been preparing for her declining condition.

Although the wedding was originally planned for December, it was brought forward in the hope that her mother would still be able to witness the occasion.

Her mother had only recently returned home from the hospital and was relying on breathing support.

Wanie said they were able to speak the night before the wedding, during which she asked for forgiveness and blessings.

At around 3am, she woke to find her mother unconscious — later realising she had passed away peacefully in her sleep.

According to The Star, Wanie said that she had not thought her mother’s choice to wear white had a much deeper meaning.

"When I got married, my mother’s body was in front of me. I believe her spirit was with me, watching me get married."

Viral video shows ceremony held near late mother's body

The video, which has circulated widely on social media, showed Wanie solemnising her marriage in the presence of her mother’s body.

She later clarified that this was not intended to be disrespectful, but was due to the timing of the burial arrangements.

“We completed the marriage first before handling the funeral,” she explained, adding that the decision was made with the family’s agreement.

A TikTok user said:

“The child wears white for the wedding, the mother wears white to head to the afterlife.”

Outpouring of condolences

Wanie admitted that although she appeared composed externally, she was devastated inside.

In the bride’s TikTok video, she said:

“February 8 was the day my mother gave birth to me, and February 8 was also the day she left me.”

Following the video’s spread, many social media users expressed sympathy, offering prayers and words of encouragement to the newlyweds as they begin married life under such painful circumstances.

Commenters also wished for the late mother to be placed among the faithful, while urging the bride to remain strong.

Top images via anna_nurfarhannah/TikTok, miloaisikattepi00_/TikTok