In addition to the customs already mentioned, there are a few calling
for some observation, customs which might seem superstitious, but are
not so if properly understood.
When life is extinct the eyes of the deceased are closed, and in some
cases also the mouth is kept shut. This is probably done out of regard
for the dead, that their face should not present a too ghastly and
repulsive appearance. The custom is mentioned in the Mishnah, Shabbath
xxiii. 5, and is also alluded to in the words, “And Joseph shall put
his hands upon thine eyes” (Gen. xlvi. 4).
From the house in which there was a dead person, and from the houses in
its immediate neighbourhood, the water was poured out. According to
Num. xix., everything in the house—and, under certain conditions, also
in the neighbouring houses—was unclean; the water was poured out, from
fear lest it be used in preparing holy food, such as terumah
(“heave-offering”). Furthermore, a kohen is not allowed to enter such a
house, and the pouring away of the water served as an indication that a
dead person was in the house.
An important element in the preparation for the burial is the
“cleaning” and robing of the body (טהרה); the cleansing of the body
before it returns to the earth is to be a symbol of the purification of
the soul by the mercy of God.
It is customary that those who came into contact with the deceased
during his lifetime express regret for any offence they may have
committed, knowingly or unknowingly, against him—a good custom, that
might serve as an exhortation to us all to be careful in our actions
towards our living fellow-men.
Whenever we mention the name of a deceased friend or relative we add,
as a mark of respect, עליהן) השלום or עלין (עליה עליהם, זכרונו
(זכרונה) לברכה, זכר צדיק לברכה or נוחו (נוחה) עדן (abbreviated,
זצל, ז״ל, ע״ה or נ״ע), “Peace be to him (her or them),” “his (or
her) memory be for a blessing,” “the memory of the righteous be for a
blessing,” or “his (or her) rest be Eden.” Comp. Zunz, Zur Literatur u.
Geschichte. Similarly we add to the names of living friends and
relatives the wish שיחיה (שתחיה), or נרו יאיר “May he (or she)
live,” or “May his light continue to shine.”