what is the tradition behind that when a Jewish person dies someone must guard the body till the funeral?

Question

i had a friend that grand father passed away that was Jewish and he had to guard the body till the funeral why is this what 's the tradition behind this?

Answer 1

Sitting Shiva is a seven day ceremony that is used by Jewish people to honor their dead.

According to Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shiva_%28Judaism%29
"As most regular activity is interrupted, the process of following the shiv'ah ritual is referred to as sitting shiva."

For more information on the practice I suggest you read the rest of the article.

Answer 2

Jewish burial rites require that the physique of the deceased be washed. that's carried out by skill of a definite team, and those communities nonetheless exist today. They cope with the physique with particular care and appreciate, case in point, under no circumstances attaining over the physique (constantly strolling around). adult males wash adult males, and ladies individuals wash women individuals. Then the physique is buried as rapidly as accessible, in many situations interior 24 hours whether it is postponed for holiday journeys and the Sabbath. possibly the region the place the bathing got here approximately must be considered a funeral homestead of varieties.