A proverb meaning that one should not skip the customary rest after a meal—even in extreme circumstances (literally, 'even if your parents die, (take) a post-meal rest'); it emphasizes the importance of observing mealtime rest.
昔から『親が死んでも食休み』と言われ、食後に少し休む習慣が大切だとされてきた。
There has long been the saying 'even if your parents die, (take) a post-meal rest,' and it has been considered important to rest a little after eating.
忙しいときでも、母は『親が死んでも食休み』だから座って食後に休みなさいと言った。
Even when busy, my mother would say 'even if your parents die, (take) a post-meal rest,' and tell me to sit down and rest after eating.