These traditions of sitting up with the dead go back to the native tribes of the area, though as these traditions did inter-mix with Scotts-Irish and German folk-practices, I'm sure they had similar views.
You'd protect the bodies from certain entities and practitioner of a malicious nature which would feed on memories , and other shades or remnants.
it is Cherokee custom to do the same,
To work protective medicine and to fast before and after going to a place of burial.
Tsalagi Nvwoti Didahnvwesgi Ale Didahnesesgi
(Cherokee medicine practitioner of left and right hand paths)
anikutani.stfu-kthx.net - The Anikutani Tradition
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