ghost marriages are often set up by request of the spirit of the deceased, who, upon "finding itself without a spouse in the other world," causes misfortune for its natal family, the family of its betrothed, or for the family of the deceased's married sisters. "this usually takes the form of sickness by one or more family members. when the sickness is not cured by ordinary means, the family turns to divination and learns of the plight of the ghost through a séance."