>I therefore assume it is only a custom. I do not recall seeing > it quoted in the Shulchan Aruch. Try SA YD 352 and the Rambam in Sefer Shoftim – Hil. Avel Ch. 4 But it’s already a Mishna in Shabbat: Ch. 23 Mishna 5 (on Daf 151) עוֹשִׂין כָּל צָרְכֵי הַמֵּת, סָכִין וּמְדִיחִין אוֹתוֹ, וּבִלְבַד שֶׁלֹּא יָזִיזוּ בוֹ אֵבֶר. - Danny