Siman 337

The Tur and the Shulchan Aruch (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh Deah 337) wrote: A sick person for whom a relative died – they do not inform him, lest his mind become distraught. And they do not rend his garment, and they do not weep, and they do not eulogize in his presence, so that his heart shall not be broken. And they silence the comforters in his presence. Thus far his words. And they brought this from "Abbel Rabbati," which is Tractate Semachot. And it is not found before us. And similarly, the early authorities brought several things from this tractate and they are not found before us, for it is not found among us in its entirety.

And this is its explanation: We do not inform him, etc., and if it became known to the sick person that someone died—we do not perform keriah for him, lest his anxiety increase. And not only that, but even for a deceased person who is not related to him, it is forbidden to weep or eulogize in his presence, for through this, pain will reach him. Therefore, if there is a mourner in his house, and comforters come to him—we do not allow them to speak with the mourner regarding the deceased, for all this will cause him pain (Bach). And even if the father of the sick person or his mother died—we do not inform him. And we do not pay heed to the "Kaddish" that he must say, for pikuach nefashot precedes everything. And from this it is to be learned that it is forbidden to cause any pain to the sick person, and they should see to gladden his heart with all their ability. And if someone died there in the house, and there is a place to remove him to another location until the burial, it seems to me that they are obligated to remove him. And even though this is not the honor of the deceased, nevertheless, pikuach nefash dotes everything.

A sick person whose relative died, for whom he is obligated to mourn, if he did not know throughout the days of his illness that the person died—he is obligated to practice mourning when he recovers, if it is still within thirty days. However, if he knew of this, even though he did not practice mourning properly, nevertheless it is impossible that he did not practice some mourning by diminishing joy, and regarding laundering and haircutting and the like. Therefore, he is exempt from practicing mourning afterward (ibid.). Regarding the matter of keriah, it will be explained in siman 340 with the help of Heaven. And know that it is forbidden for the sick person to be stringent to practice mourning in a matter that will damage his health. Even a sick person whose life is not in danger should be careful regarding sitting on the ground, or walking barefoot, if his health will be damaged by this. He should only observe matters where there will be no damage to his health.