[Grammar] the rich vs. the deceased

[inase]

"The" + adjective denotes rich people and takes plural verbs such as:

The rich are not necessarily happy.

"The deceased" may usually mean a dead person and takes singular verbs.

The deceased was fond of bouquet flowers.

This seems to be an exception to the basic rule that "the" + adjective is plural.

There are two questions I would like to ask assuming the above is correct:
1. Is there any example of "the deceased" being plural?
2. Is "the deceased" the only example of "the" + adjective being singular?

Inase

 

[YAMATO2201]

1. Is there any example of "the deceased" being plural?

Three of the deceased are being buried today. (Merriam-Webster Learner's Dictionary)

2. Is "the deceased" the only example of "the" + adjective being singular?

The accused was found innocent. (Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary)
All the accused have pleaded guilty. (Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary)

 

[Tdol]

It's driven by context- does it refer to an individual/group or universally? In most contexts, this usage does refer to a group, but it is not universal.