You're right -- it is surprising that after death, public pronouncements become positive, even after a lifetime of insults.

I suppose the classic example is that of politicans with strongly opposing viewpoints. While one may not have had a single good word to say about the other in life, that can change immediately after one dies.

In part, that's due to tradition. Public figures, and even private figures, usually follow tradition and find something good to say about the other. To respond otherwise would be to endanger their own public reputations. The public generally believes that one should not speak ill of the dead.

Sometimes that can be just plain respect that couldn't be expressed while they were both alive. Although politicans may battle loud and long in public, behind the scenes they may be respectful colleagues, if not friends. After all, people who run for elected office all share a common set of broad goals, and an appreciation of what their opponents have gone through to get elected and to serve in public office.

And, then there's the 'last call'. None of us knows when we'll be the one lying in the coffin while our friends and enemies comment on our character and our lives. Just in case it's true that what comes around goes around, it's good to have a little insurance for when our time is up.

So, don't be surprised by sudden changes after someone dies. The living are simply responding logically and morally to one of life's key passages.