Stopping the pendulums :

[Iain...]

Can anyone confirm that in by-gone days, when someone died, the family stop the clocks ?
Apparently, this was done when Napoleon died...

[Iain...]

À 17h49, le 5 mai 1821, Marchand, premier valet de chambre de l'Empereur, arrête les pendules de Longwood. Napoléon est décédé.

[aghadowey]

It was a common custom in many countries. Also, covering mirrors, shutting blinds ...

Lots of information from Google "stopping clocks when someone dies"

[osprey]

There's the W H Auden poem Funeral Blues that starts "Stop all the clocks" that was featured in film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

[Iain...]

Thank you for that.   I'll certainly check out Google.

In fact, as a watchmaker and regimental historian, I saw an article yesterday concerning Napoleon's death, where it was mentioned that they stopped the pendulums.

 ..., 

[Maiden Stone]

There's the W H Auden poem Funeral Blues that starts "Stop all the clocks" that was featured in film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Also the song "My Grandfather's Clock".

[Iain...]

There's the W H Auden poem Funeral Blues that starts "Stop all the clocks" that was featured in film Four Weddings and a Funeral.

Also the song "My Grandfather's Clock".