Centurion's vigil

"No fallen brother or sister will ever be left alone."

- Tariun Sakaros institutes the first Centurion's vigil

A Centurion's vigil was a practice of the Order of Keltrayu in the Golden Empire. By custom, a Centurion whose body was returned to the Citadel on the Sith Star lay in honor in the Citadel. The body was never to be left alone from the time of arrival until the Centurion was interred in Keltrayu's Tomb on Keliso. The vigil, in addition to ensuring respectful treatment of the body, was also designed to emphasize the camaraderie and familial bond of the Order's members.

Normally, other Centurions present aboard the Sith Star stood vigil for their fallen siblings, although others sometimes filled in—Tariun Sakaros occasionally stood vigil for a fallen Centurion if he happened to be present, and occasionally senior Novices were allowed to stand vigil as well. If a Centurion was to be given a funeral off the Star or interred somewhere other than Keliso, one or more Centurions accompanied their fallen comrade until the burial was completed.

The first Centurion's vigil was held in 115 ABY for Aquila Corcer and Melnanooin, and was conducted mostly by Novices, as most Centurions were in the field hunting Zhin-Vel, Corcer and Melnanooin's killer.

Behind the scenes
The Celtic and the Jewish  are similar, real-world customs.