The mother-infant bond represents the most stable and affiliative relationship in primate societies. Caring for infants by female primates can be considered a form of reproductive investment. Even though females incur no fitness benefits by continuing to carry their infants post mortem, this behavior has been documented in several primate species. To examine the factors influencing carrying of and caring for dead infants, and provide data supporting for relevant hypotheses, we collected data on this behavior by a group of golden snub-nosed monkeys (Rhinopithecus roxellana) in the Qinling Mountains. Between October 2013 and June 2014, four cases were recorded by focal animal sampling and all-occurrence sampling. Females whose infant had died acted nervously and sadly; they also held, groomed, smelled the corpse repeatedly. Age and status of decomposition of the corpse had no influence on the time females spent carrying it. Females carried dead infants for a shorter time when death occurred in the late of mating period, and this may benefit a female who is ready to conceive again. Considering the food phenology and the weight of the dead infant, we suggest that carrying and caring a corpse is restricted by substantial energy costs for the female.