Why do so many people have nothing but nice things to say about the dead?

Question

Why do so many people have nothing but nice things to say about the dead? Why is it that when someone is dead then they never did anything wrong in their lifetime? I've known people who I and many people thought were so wicked when they were alive but when they died everyone had nothing but nice to say about them but me. Why do people do that?

I'm not trying to upset ppl who have lost someone they loved because I myself have lost people who I loved. I'm not talking about bad-mouthing someone because they stole your pencil in 3rd grade. I'm talking about someone who killed or beat their kids or wife up or was just plain evil. That's what I mean. Why lie to yourself and say "Oh he/she was a good man/woman." when they weren't. Just don't say anything at all.

Answer 1

I think it is because after someone has died, anything they did wrong cannot be changed. If you disliked this person, once they are dead you realized you feelings were pointless. Then you also get a little glimpse of the future for yourself. Then I think it is natural to be forgiving and nice because inside you hope you will be forgiven after death for anything you did wrong.
Kinda like judged and be judged.

Answer 2

Those who are trying to convince themselves that those abusers, criminals, a**holes who only hurt people are them were "good" are those people who wanted to see the good in others, but didn't when they were alive, and now want to when they are dead. I mean look it's not good talking about people when they are dead because after all...they are dead.#1 they got what they deserved #2 they didn't know what they were doing. I would say just don't talk about them because let them rest in peace and GOD will deal with them..cheers

Answer 3

I totally agree with you! CRIKY! It's just like when my now ex, went to Iraq. I ALREADY HATED HIM FOR THE *** HE IS and we were going thru a divorce! BUT, he got called back on stop loss after bein outta the military for 10 years, and off to war he goes! I felt sorry for him. And, the worst part, he was still the *** he left as, but people, mostly stangers who dint know him, did not wanna hear it! So, to say anything disrespectful about him, at war in Iraq! made ME THE BAD GUY!

My answer is, because we honor the living, and we forget the dead. Ya tink?? You might have to mull this one over a minute or two.

Answer 4

It is customary not to speak ill of the dead. I suppose it is that we do not want the living speaking ill of us after we have passed into the spirit world. However, there are exceptions. I haven't heard too many people saying what a great guy Hitler was.

Sod the thumbs down. I'm American, but that English phrase expresses exactly how I feel about it.

Answer 5

Well... a lot of it has to do with how close you were to them. After someone close to you is gone, sometimes you forget all the bad... you're only thinking of the good times you had because obviously that's what you want to remember.

Sometimes, it might just be to comfort the family. Who wants to hear the bad times when their mourning???

Answer 6

I have to say its because you wouldn't stand up during the funeral service and say that the dead person at the last oreo cookie.... just an example....

Answer 7

Would you want someone to talk bad about you in public when you are dead?
There are only two kinds of people - the dead and the deadly.

Answer 8

Hypocrites!

Answer 9

It is considered a polite way to see them off into the after life..death causes memory lapses, for awhile..

Answer 10

because it is respectful and it makes the families of the deceased feel good to hear good things about their lost ones . it really doesnt matter what you feel personally , it is all about the family and how to make their loss seem more bearable .