Why was her body washed and placed in an upstairs room?
Acts 9:37 (ESV)
37In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.
The body of Dorcas is washed (by women)1 in order to prepare it for burial.2 It is placed in an upstairs room so as to keep it separate from the main room so that those who are doing the washing/preparation can have some privacy.
37 In those days she became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room.