When the dead is at rest, let his remembrance cease: Good News Translation words the references to the dead person here as plural (“the dead have been … them”), which is especially fitting as a summary statement at the end of the section. In languages that do not have the passive voice, we may say “When they have buried the dead people and they are at rest, stop thinking about them.”

And be comforted for him when his spirit has departed: The meaning here is that after a loved one dies, you should allow yourself to be comforted, you should accept the comfort that people offer. So we may say “Once they are gone, let others comfort you.”

Quoted with permission from Bullard, Roger A. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Sirach. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here.