Why is it better to go to Beis ha'Evel than to Beis ha'Mishteh?
Rashi citing Koheles Rabah: The former applies to the living and the dead 1 ; the latter applies only to the living.
Rashi: It is the last chance to do Chesed with the Mes. One who does not go to Beis ha'Mishteh will have other opportunities to do Chesed with his friend, e.g. when his friend will father a son, and when he will marry off his son
It is Chesed with both of them (Matanos Kehunah on the Midrash).
Tosfos (Bava Kama 80a): Yeshu'ah ha'Ben [that the Gemara mentions] is a celebration that he baby escaped the womb (the danger of birth). Levush (YD 265:12) - this is what we call Shalom Zachar.
It says that Elokim gave great Chachmah to Shlomo, and a heart wide like sand of the sea (Melachim I, 5:9)! However, a wide heart also hints to desire to fulfill his lusts - "Rum Einayim u'Rchav Lev Ner Resha'im Chatas" (Mishlei 21:4 and Rashi there). (PF)
Why does it say "ba'Asher Hu Sof ha'Adam"?
Rashi: In the end, every man will come to [death, and people will mourn over him]. Also refer to 7:2:3:2.
Rid: Going to Beis ha'Evel makes him remember the end of man - the day of death, and not despair from (forget) it.
What should the living put to heart?
Rashi, from Kesuvos 72a: All the Chesed that I do for the Mes, I will need others to do so for me - one who buries will be buried. One who carries [a Mes] will be carried. One who eulogizes will be eulogized. One who accompanies a Mes will be accompanied.
Rashi: It is the last chance to do Chesed with the Mes. If he will not do so now, he will not be able to do so later.
Ri Kara: When he hears how much they eulogize a Tzadik, he will desire to do like the Tzadik's deeds.
Refer to 7:2:1:6.
Seforno: He should strive that when he dies, his name will be good.
Metzudas David: That in the end, people will mourn over him. This will make his heart submissive, and refrain from sin.
