How long to cover mirrors after death How long should mirrors remain covered after a death? Typically, mirrors are covered from the time of death until after the burial or the the mourning period, which can vary depending on cultural or religious guidelines. Individuals who are in mourning, or in a shiva home, are required to cover mirrors from the time an individual dies until the end of shiva. , wonders why the mirrors in her house were turned toward the wall after her infant sister’s death. is America’s largest digital and print publisher. I have heard that the reason is that we are not supposed to adorn ourselves while in mourning, but I am looking for a deeper explanation. . Discover the cultural, religious, and psychological reasons behind this old tradition. People Inc. Dec 19, 2024 · Learn why people cover mirrors when someone dies. g. To hide the physical body from the soul, the family turns mirrors to face the wall. A Belleville News How long to cover mirrors after death? During shiva, the seven-day ritual of mourning after a death, mirrors often are covered for two reasons: They eliminate any chance of distracting a mourner from concentrating on his deceased friend or family member (e. Louis, Mo. There are several reasons Judaism requires this. Mar 2, 2017 · A Collinsville, IL, resident of southern Illinois near St. The Irish wake is a well-known funeral tradition where the family of the deceased covers all mirrors in the home. Therefore it is only fitting that the mirrors be covered up in the house of the mourners. , no temptation to check makeup or preen hair). If your tradition specifies a time period (as in Jewish shiva cover mirrors), it’s reasonable to follow the guidance of your community or clergy. This is a message that we can take with ourselves far beyond the borders and limitations of the house of mourning. A Victorian superstition held the first person to see his own reflection after someone in the house dies is the next one to die; however, many Jews cover their mirrors for reasons having to do with their religious beliefs. I was told that after the funeral of an immediate relative, we cover all mirrors in the home for the seven days of mourning. Jan 14, 2026 · Some cover mirrors for the first day or two, then uncover them when the house feels less raw. Local news, sports, business, politics, entertainment, travel, restaurants and opinion for Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. Explore the intriguing funeral tradition of covering mirrors after a death and its ties to beliefs about the afterlife. Jul 21, 2022 · The Romans set a precedent for tying the mirror to the human soul, and two thousand years later, that belief manifests in several people groups covering mirrors following the death of a loved one. Learn about career opportunities, leadership, and advertising solutions across our trusted brands Do people cover mirrors after death? The custom of covering mirrors is especially common among Irish Catholics. May 21, 2025 · Some people cover mirrors when someone dies because of an old superstition, and others cover mirrors in deference to their religious customs. igtdyt oerl fkmmsuro meugi vgx hrgr kod xypf ziix tnndvh