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Yes it's because you work with the living (here) and those who have passed. Many people think that dead equals dead. They aren't able to see or know (yet maybe...)
When I was a little girl, the dead bodies of relatives were always brought to the home, or remained at home (if they had passed there) They were laid in a cool room, usually with the curtains drawn....think that was to stop flies getting in. They would be surrounded by flowers people brought to the room. They would have been washed by a relative, and dressed by a relative. Sometimes they would be in a coffin, and sometimes just on a bed, to await the funeral directors.
They would lay there 3-4 days. Everyone would visit them, the little children too. They would say prayers, kiss them, light candles etc.
Then there would be the day of their funeral usually 4 days later (never much more unless there had to be some sort of inquiry.) No freezer, no embalming, just the love and care of nearest and dearest. And the body was respected.
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