Here are a few possibilities that might be what you're thinking of:
* "Lay him out in state": This phrase refers to the public display of a deceased person's body, often in a coffin, before a funeral. It's usually used for someone of importance, like a president or a high-ranking official.
* "Lay him to rest": This phrase simply means to bury a deceased person. It's a more common and direct way of describing the process of interment.
* "Lavender is the color of mourning": This is a statement, not a phrase, that refers to the historical association of lavender with mourning. In some cultures, lavender was worn or used in funeral arrangements as a symbol of respect and remembrance.
It's also possible you're thinking of a fictional phrase or one from a specific context, like a book or a movie. If you can provide more information about where you encountered this phrase, I might be able to help you pinpoint its origin.