How long after someone dies should you wait to have a funeral?

Answer 1

It may depend on the religion of the deceased or the survivors. In Judaism and other religions that originated in hot, dry climates, the time frame may be as little as 48 hours. In other situations there may be a longer interval to allow time for attendees to travel from long distances.

Answer 2

If no extra things are needed burials occur 3 days after death.

Answer 3

Different communities have radically different traditions. Jewish tradition asks for burial to be as soon after death as is practical, same day burial is encouraged, but delays are permitted to allow important mourners to travel to the funeral for the sake of the honor of the deceased. Christian communities with traditions developed in northern Europe where the ground freezes is iron hard all winter developed the tradition of storing coffins in special crypts until the ground thawed in the spring, so burials were sometimes deferred for many months. The development of embalming technology and refrigeration allows burial to be delayed arbitrarily without regard to the weather, so some families these days delay funerals at any time of year until a time when travel is convenient for everyone.