Why do they always close the eyelids of dead people?

Question

You have seen it hundreds of times in movies. Someone dies and the doctor, priest, cop or someone else, moves their hands over the dead person's eyes and the eyes magically close. It's as if the eyes were somehow magnetic. I'm sure in reality it takes an undertaker to sew them down.The only conclusion I can come to is it's the best way to ensure you don't see the actor blink. Or is it some ritual that goes back thousands of years? I'm not sure, seems odd as I have seen it so often in film and it always makes me think. So what do you think is the reason?

Answer 1

In practical terms, yes, closing the eyes ensures that you don't see the actors blink, see their eyes shift or tear up, which also makes it much easier on the actors eyes (lots of bright light around) but also ensures easier continuity from shot to shot.