Sirach 30:18

Verse 18. Grave. The dead cannot partake of them, ( Calmet.) so neither can the sick of their great possessions. Bible.—It was customary to place meat on the tombs of the dead. Calmet.—The pagans invited them to eat; (S. Epip. Ancor.) but the faithful intended it for the poor, who might pray ( Calmet.) for the deceased. Menochius. Calmet. 7:37. Tobit 4:18.—The kings of France were served at table till they were placed in the tomb, and in many monasteries the usual portion is assigned the dead for thirty days, and given to the poor. Calmet.