Death Rituals
Death Rituals
The Death Rituals practised by the Ancient Egyptians included embalming
and mummification (which are detailed on other pages). The mummies of
dead Egyptians were placed in anthropoid (man-shaped) coffins which was decorated with a
likeness of the deceased. The coffins were then placed in protective
stone sarcophagus. These are well known Death Rituals but there
were other extremely important death rituals which were practised
including the 'Opening of the Mouth ' ritual. The key element in Ancient
Egyptian religion revolved around ritual. Rituals included the
ceremonies of the priests, sacrifices and magic incantations and spells.
These rituals were believed to be essential to both the living and the
dead.
Death Rituals - the
Funeral Procession
The Funeral procession was an
element of the death rituals in Ancient Egypt. After 70 days following
the death of a person a elaborate funeral procession headed towards the
designated tomb of the deceased. The mummy lies in a coffin on a
bier which is protected by effigies of gods. Oxen pull the sledge
through the desert following the musicians who headed the procession.
Wailing mourners followed the procession accompanied by priests, some
wearing animal masks. The jackal masked impersonator of the god Anubis
was a key figure in these death rituals. Servants or slaves followed
carrying the items that would be buried with the mummy in the tomb. The
possessions of the deceased included furniture, clothes, jewelry and
cosmetics. A fresh foreleg of a sacrificial calf. Poultry, Meat
and vegetables were also taken for the death sacrifices. The procession
terminated when the location of the tomb was reached and the 'Opening of
the Mouth' death rituals commenced.
Death Rituals - the
Opening of the Mouth Ceremony
The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony was one of the most important Death
Rituals of the Ancient Egyptians.
The Ancient Egyptians believed that the death rituals performed during
these ceremonies revived the mummified senses of the deceased so that he
could eat, drink and speak in the next world. The Death Rituals
performed in the 'Opening of the Mouth' ceremony was as follows:
-
Ancient Egyptian
coffins were usually Anthropoid
coffins meaning man-shaped.
The term anthropoid coffin is therefore used for coffins made in the shape of a human
-
The mummy, in
its coffin, was held in
the standing position, facing South, by the jackal masked
impersonator of Anubis who was an embalming priest
-
A close member
of the family burned incense
-
The women wailed
loudly
-
Garlands of
flowers were sometimes draped around the neck of the coffin.
Cosmetics were applied to the likeness painted on the
anthropoid coffin
-
Another priest
chanted potent spells
-
Death sacrifices
were made of the food and drink and the calf leg, still
spurting fresh blood
-
Ritual
Purification was conducted using salt and cow's milk
-
The mysterious
Opening of the Mouth death rituals were performed using the
main tools of the embalmer and the coffin maker. A priest
touched the mouth, eyes, ears and nose with an adze in order
to awaken the senses of the deceased and could accept the
food sacrifices
-
When the opening
of the mouth ceremony and the other death rituals had been
completed the coffin and mummy was finally placed in a
sarcophagus and sealed in the tomb
-
The Ancient Egyptian
Death rituals often ended with a feast and a celebration as
the deceased had started their journey into the glorious
afterlife
Death Rituals
Each section of this Egyptian website addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject of Egypt, the Ancient Egyptians and of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun, King Tut.
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