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At funerals I have often heard it said that the deceased should be a meilitz yosher (one who relates rectitude). Where does this idea come from?

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Isn't the usual translation "honest intercessor", or advocate? Meaning someone to advocate on one's behalf in the heavenly courts? Perhaps your translation is confusing you? – Curiouser Nov 28 '12 at 22:27
@Curiouser yeah, I didn't put that wacky translation there. – nikmasi Nov 28 '12 at 22:30
@nikmasi, by all means substitute your own. – msh210♦ Nov 29 '12 at 5:54

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Gesher HaChaim Volume 2 25:9 brings this down in the name of the Zohar Parshas Acharei.

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If I understand the source correctly, it speaks about a Tzaddik. I heard in a shiur from Rav Reuven Leuchter that a non-tzaddik will be being judged at the time of the burial and unable to be a meilitz yosher for anyone else. So at the levaya it might not be such an appropriate thing to say. – Avrohom Yitzchok Nov 28 '12 at 17:18
@AvrohomYitzchok: Yes you are correct. However this is the source of the idea. As to whether this is applicable to all, I am sure as you indicated that there are those who say not. – Gershon Gold Nov 28 '12 at 17:20

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