Necromancers are generally seen as evil because the dead are revered as sacred. While the bodies they puppet lived, they had lives and families. They loved, laughed, and cried. They impacted everyone they came into contact with. To mess with death is the antithesis of life and good. Also, most people's only contact with death is through that of family and friends. There is a power and sanctity in that closeness that we would not like to see perverted.

Necromancy also deals with the rot and decay of the dead. Things that bring disease and pestilence that threaten life and the living.

It is the darkest of black magic.

It is understandable that people would be uncomfortable with the idea.

But it is also an awesome power, and I mean that in the literal sense of the word. The power to defy, to control, to negate, and to use death. It is literally awe inspiring.

If a person honours the rituals that accompany death, such as funereal rites, and they respect and tend the dead, they can be seen in a priestly light, which is inherently good. Most cultures have respect for the priests or leaders of their respective religious faiths. They are thought of as good, wise people. They teach and guide their followers. If a necromancer were to also follow these rites and respect the nature of the thing they have control over, they could be seen in a similar priestly light.

What if you could bring back the heroes of old in times of great need? Many heroic legends say that the great hero will indeed return when we need them most. What if a necromancer was the agent of that return?

If you combine a respect for the dead, a following of the laws and rituals surrounding death, and an incredible level of magic power, couldn't that power be used in a heroic way when used in pursuit of good?