why do some folks cover mirrors with a dark cloth after a death?

Answer 1

the only case I have heard it of is the Jewish period of mourning called Shiva

Shiva means seven, and refers to the first week of mourning after burial. It is the most intense of the three periods of mourning. Shiva is a time of intense but sheltered and controlled grief. It is the second stage (the first being, the funeral arrangements and the funeral) of the "grief work" done by the mourners over a prolonged period of time. Shiva affords the mourners time to remember the deceased and to share stories of his or her life with friends and family.

The day of the burial is counted as the first day of Shiva, and the 7th day is only observed for one hour.

It is customary during Shiva in order to focus complete attention on one's grief:

sit low as a symbol of "being brought low" in grief.
no "luxurious" bathing or cutting hair. These are signs of vanity.
remove leather shoes and wear cloth slippers or sandals.
covering mirrors for the same reason as not bathing.
sexual relations are forbidden.
mourners should not transact business.
mourners may clean and cook for themselves.
wherever possible morning and evening services should be held in the home.

Answer 2

Judaism. Rabbi S Freehof gives the following explanations for the custom:

1. In order not to see in the mirrors the evil spirits that are present in houses of mourning.
2. The departing spirit of the deceased may be caught in the mirror.
3. As we no longer carry out the old custom of overturning beds with mourners sleeping on the floor, mirrors are turned to the wall instead.
4. If after a death, a person sees his image reflected in a mirror he will himself shortly die. This based on the idea that a reflection is the insubstantial soul of the person, which may be carried away with that of the recently deceased.

Answer 3

Do you mean the Jewish traditional Shiva?

Shiva (means seven, in Hebrew) is a seven days mourning period. The "sitters" of the Shiva are the closest people to the deceased: his mom and dad, his siblings, his spouse and offspring; but everyone are invited to come and comfort the family (mostly by giving tons of food).
The Shiva includes several traditional customs, such as removing the shoes by the door and hiding all mirrors in the house so the visitors and the mourners will not be distracted by their appearance.

Answer 4

Just a guess:
Knowing they wear dark clothes to the funeral because they think that will keep undead spirits from noticing them, perhaps they cover mirrors for a similar reason. Maybe they're affraid the decieced relative is watching them through the mirrors instead of "ascending the light".
It's really all superstition to me.

Answer 5

For the Jews, at least, there is nothing superstitious about it. I like this tradition. The idea behind it is that it allows the grieving to grieve. They don't need to be preoccupied with how they look. If their hair is all messed up, etc., who cares? This is their time to grieve, not worry about their appearance in front of others.

Answer 6

Because mirrors can be portals to the other side of the veil, and for our dearly departed to see us weep is keeping them from going on, into the light.
Also, if you have a mirror in your bedroom that reflects your bed, you should cover it. It disturbs your sleep.

Answer 7

I heard that the ghost will scared himself after seeing his own reflection in the mirror.

Answer 8

They are superstitiously believing the the departing "soul" of the dead person will see their own reflection in the mirror and become afraid, thereby inhibiting their journey to wherever they are going.

Answer 9

some cultures do it because that time is a time for mourning the death of a loved one not a time to indulge in ones own vanity.

Answer 10

This is done in the Jewish religion when the family sits Shiva for the dead.

I'm not Jewish and my friend that is isn't very good at it (She thought David was her god) so I don't know anymore.