Everyone has their own way of grieving over the death of a loved one, and their own traditions when it comes to ushering the dead off into the afterlife.
Wakes and vigils have become far less common practices, and while sitting around with the body until burial may seem odd to some people there's something even more bizarre that people used to do with their loved one's body- post-mortem photography.
In the nineteenth century it was common practice for families to prop up the body of the deceased and take pictures, in part because photography had become far more accessible, and as a memento of the dearly departed.
Now, it may not seem that strange to want a photograph of your loved one to remember them by, but propping them up right next to their living siblings, or using a metal stand to support them so they look more "natural" in the photo- now that’s just plain weird!
-Via Little Things
I fear I have to agree with Esta Griffiths; Zeon Santos' article reflects more personal bias than the understanding produced by credible research. It even suggests (by omission or ignorance) that post-mortem photography is a Victorian anomaly, rather than an ongoing practice (https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/24297810/putting-the-fun-back-into-funerals/).
https://www.nowilaymedowntosleep.org/
There's nothing morbid about it.