Burial: Often Took Place Immediately After Death

When Jesus arrived, He found that Lazarus had already spent four days in the tomb.

“Take away the stone,” Jesus said. “Lord, by now he stinks,” said Martha, the sister of the dead man. “It has already been four days.”

Then the young men stepped forward, wrapped up his body, and carried him out and buried him.

At that instant she fell down at his feet and died. Then the young men came in and, finding her dead, carried her out and buried her beside her husband.