Where did the tradition of eating after a funeral come from?

Question

I was watching an episode of Good Times today. The episode of

James funeral and then afterwards everyone came to the house to eat.

I wanted to know where the tradition of eating after a funneral comes from.

Answer 1

probably came from back in the medieval period when people had to travel for long distances and couldnt go home till the next morning and therefore- needed to eat...

also- african culture beliefs say that if ur stomach is filled with food the spirit ((of the dead one)) cannot enter u and can rest peacefully.

hope i helped.

:]

Answer 2

There are some cultures that use this time to celebrate the life of the decedent after the sadness of the funeral.  I also know that the family provides for those who came to pay their respects.  

Answer 3

To sustain mourners for their return trip after paying their respects.

Answer 4

Don't know for sure, but it's been around for 100's of years.

I'm betting that it revolves around the fact that the family has much more on their minds, and quite often put aside cooking, etc.

It's always just been a way for friends and neighbors to help out during very troubling times.

Pete

Answer 5

We trace it back to the lentils prepared by Jacob," he said. "Abraham, Jacob's grandfather, had died. Jacob was preparing the postfuneral meal, seudat havra'ah, for his father, Isaac. To this day, lentils are part of that postfuneral meal. Lentils and hardboiled eggs. Round things that symbolize life's cyclical nature."

In the south we call it a "Mercy Meal". We eat big after somebody dies as a way to provide for the grieving family to nourish their bodies so that they can begin to go on with their lives.

I read that New York State Law actually prohibits meals to be provided by funeral homes, friends, relatives, etc. after a funeral. What an insane law......us southerners would never survive there!