Shomer To Honor Dead Person

A “watcher” (shomer) should stay with a dead body at all times until the burial, if possible, to honor the dead person. The watcher should be close enough to be able to see the body. A non-Jew may be a watcher, but only b'di'avad.
Note If the body is being shipped somewhere, it is preferable that a shomer stay with the body, but it is not required.
Return to Main Category: In the Presence of the Body