Final answer:
Madeline's body is preserved for two weeks after her death before being buried. This is done due to the unusual character of her malady and the remote location of the family's burial-ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
After Madeline's death in the story, her body is preserved by her brother for two weeks before its final interment. The reason given for this unusual practice is the unusual character of Madeline's malady, the inquiries from her medical men, and the remote location of the family burial-ground. The narrator, while experiencing a sense of dread and astonishment, does not question the brother's decision and views it as a harmless precaution.