I was watching the news and saw a bit about a 15 or 16 yr old girl who died in Israel due to a rocket crashing into her house. Anyway, a funeral was held for her but I noticed (and then it was stated by a master of the obvious - the reporter) that only men were present. Not even the girl's mother was allowed to pay her respects.

I understand that not all cultures treat women the way we are treated here. What I'm wondering is why women weren't allowed to attend the girl's funeral? I mean is it thought that women would taint the dead's soul or their resting place or something?

For anyone who may be skeptical of my questions, please know that I make no mockery at all. This is something I have not been exposed to before so I'm looking to understand it.