A dead person's eyes are often closed as a sign of respect and to provide a sense of peace and closure for the living. While some people die with their eyes open, the practice of closing the eyes after death is a common custom in many cultures and is seen as a way to acknowledge the transition and help loved ones find comfort.
For those present at the time of death, closed eyes can be associated with a sense of peacefulness and restfulness, while open eyes might be interpreted as a sign of discomfort or fear.
Cotton is stuffed in the nose of a dead person too in India. This is to prevent fluid from draining out of the nose; respiration has stopped and air will enter the body thru the nasal openings and cause swelling; to prevent any germs from being released by decaying processes that may be taking place to the dead body.
Tying the hands and legs of a deceased person is a practice often done for practical and ritualistic reasons. It helps to keep the limbs from flopping around during handling and transportation, and in some cultures, it's part of specific death rituals to maintain a sense of order and respect for the deceased.
In Hinduism, tying the thumbs and big toes is a common practice. The thumbs are tied together, and the big toes are tied together. This is done to keep the limbs in place and is sometimes believed to ‘prevent the body from being re-animated by a spirit’. Some cultures may have similar practices with different reasons, often tied to religious or spiritual beliefs about death and the afterlife.
