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Funeral Traditions in Ancient Egypt

Facts about Funeral Traditions in Ancient Egypt

  • 05 16, 2023

There were always strict and precise systems and rituals that the Pharaohs followed in burying the dead, so that their entire lives were almost a preparation for that eternal life. The Pharaohs primarily maintained the custom of mummification, whereby the body of the deceased must remain intact and perfect - as much as possible - in order to pass to the other world in its most beautiful form.

The Pharaohs also believed that if the dead person did not find his body perfect, his soul would not find anything to wear to cross over, and thus the soul would remain wandering and tormented without a body to settle in.

Another thing, the stage of crossing to the other world itself was a complex and dangerous stage, where man would face a number of gods and predatory animals, and he would survive only if his deeds were good; therefore, the pharaohs took care to prepare this stage of terrifying tests; which is the tomb. In the tomb, Osiris will issue his final judgment on the dead after they pass or fail the tests of passage.

Accordingly, the Pharaohs decorated the graves with amulets and war tools, and sometimes with the bodies of dead and mummified animals, in addition to some food for the deceased to use on his journey to the afterlife.

The ancient Egyptians would take the body of the deceased (after it had been mummified) in a procession until it reached the eastern bank of the Nile, where a small fleet of boats awaited them. The main boat had a large room lined on the inside with cloth. The deceased's remains were placed in this chamber, accompanied by figures of the protective deities Isis and Nephthys. The priest poured incense while the onlookers kept hitting their heads in mourning.

In the Old Kingdom, the soul of the deceased king ascended to heaven via a great upper ladder, or holding on to the tail of the heavenly cow, or flying like a bird, or being carried on the smoke of incense burned by the priest, or by a sandstorm. The belief that settled after that, and which was for all people after the right of the people to worship any god became guaranteed, was that the soul would emerge in the form of a bird with a human head.

The hall of trial of the dead in the afterlife was called the hall of investigation, and in it there was Osiris sitting on the throne, behind him his two sisters Isis and Nephthys, and 14 deputies. In the middle of the hall there was a large scale and next to it a monster to protect it. There were also Thoth and Anubis in the hall.

Then his heart is placed on one side of the scale and on the other side is a small statue of truth (Maat). No details are mentioned on how the dead person's heart is weighed and no one knows whether the sins made the heart heavy or light? If this man is proven innocent, he has the right to life and happiness in the next world, or if he was wrong, he is destroyed by the Devourer (a mythical monster that is a mixture of a crocodile, a lion and a seahorse).

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Egypt Tours FAQ

Read top Egypt tours FAQs

Funeral traditions in ancient Egypt were elaborate and deeply rooted in belief in the afterlife. The Egyptians believed that the deceased would continue to exist in the afterlife, and they conducted various rituals and practices to ensure a successful journey to the afterlife. Here are some key aspects of funeral traditions in ancient Egypt:

   Mummification: Mummification was a crucial process in preparing the deceased for the afterlife. It involved removing the internal organs, preserving the body with natron (a type of salt), and wrapping it in linen bandages. The goal was to prevent decay and ensure the body's preservation.

   Funeral Procession: A funeral procession was an essential part of Egyptian funeral rituals. The deceased's body, placed in a decorated coffin, was carried in a procession to the tomb. Family members and mourners would accompany the procession, and priests conducted rituals along the way.

   Tomb and Burial: The tomb was carefully prepared to serve as a resting place for the deceased's body and belongings. Tombs ranged from simple pits to grand structures like pyramids. The deceased's possessions, food, and other items were often included in the tomb to provide for their needs in the afterlife.

   Offerings and Rituals: Offerings of food, drink, and other items were made to the deceased during funeral rituals. Priests and family members conducted ceremonies and recited prayers to ensure the deceased's safe journey to the afterlife.

   The Book of the Dead: The Book of the Dead was a collection of spells and prayers that provided guidance for the deceased in the afterlife. It was often included in the tomb to assist the deceased on their journey.

   Osiris and Judgment: In ancient Egyptian belief, the god Osiris played a central role in the afterlife. The deceased would be judged by Osiris, and their hearts would be weighed against the feather of Ma'at (the goddess of truth and justice). If the heart was found to be pure, the deceased would enter the afterlife.

   Mourning Period: There was a period of mourning after the funeral, during which family members and loved ones continued to make offerings and perform rituals to honor the deceased.

   Funerary Art and Inscriptions: Tombs and coffins were often decorated with elaborate artwork and inscriptions that depicted scenes from the deceased's life, their journey to the afterlife, and their encounters with gods and spirits.

   Eternal Offerings: It was believed that the deceased would need a continuous supply of offerings in the afterlife. Family members would continue to make offerings at the tomb, and there were also designated priests to perform these rituals.

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