身体を重ねる (non-sexual)

Non-PRO 日本語 から 英語 その他 一般/会話/挨拶/手紙

I'm translating a folk story (in the context of a larger story) that concerns a father and son where the son falls ill and dies. The father, distraught, refuses to allow his son to be buried or cremated; instead, he 遺体に身体を重ねて過ごした。

Now, in Googling, the translation I'm coming up with for 身体を重ねる is "to have sex with." Given the context, however, I really doubt this is the case here, particularly considering that this tale is being told to children in the larger story. The illustration shows the old man doubled over in grief next to the son's body; I assume the meaning would be something to that effect?