Why would people sit with a dead body?

Many of the funeral customs on the frontier came from earlier times. It was believed that a dying person should not be alone. Relatives, friends, and neighbors would take turns sitting by the bed, even through the night.

Once the person died, family or neighbors, usually women, would wash the body, dress it or wrap it in a white sheet, and put it in the coffin. They usually held what was called a wake—sitting with the coffin until the person was buried. This would be a social occasion with food and alcoholic drinks served.

Sitting with a body was probably a form of respect.  It may have also been adopted from the Jewish tradition of sitting with a dead body until burial. This is called shemira, which means guarding or watching.