What is the Underlying Egyptian Belief in Preserving the Dead?

The preservation of the dead was a deeply held conviction among the ancient Egyptians, and it was essential to both their religious and cultural practices.
The fundamental beliefs that drove the Egyptians to preserve the dead through mummification and complicated burial procedures are explored in this article, offering light on their nuanced conception of the afterlife and the value they attached to it.

1. Concept of the Afterlife:
The idea that a person's soul would continue to exist after death was a fundamental part of Egyptian belief. The maintenance of the body was essential to ensure a successful voyage in the hereafter, according to their belief that death was only a shift to another domain. The goal of the preservation method was to preserve the deceased's bodily shape so that the spirit might recognize and occupy it in the hereafter.

2. Ka & Ba:
According to Egyptian belief, each person possesses a "ka," or life force, and a "ba," or spiritual essence. The ba is related to the soul's capacity to freely transition between the material and spiritual worlds, while the ka stood for the life force and personality of the individual. The ka had a recognizable abode thanks to the body's preservation, but the ba had free rein in the afterlife.

3. Relationship With the Dead:
An essential part of Egyptian society was preserving a relationship between the living and the dead. The Egyptians held that in the hereafter, the departed still needed friendship, food, and personal items. Extensive burial customs, such as putting food, drink, and personal items within the tomb, showed a strong commitment to the comfort and well-being of the dead in the hereafter.

4. Judgment in the Afterlife:
The Egyptians believed in a hereafter judgment where the deceased's heart would be measured against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice. The body's preservation permitted the departed to appear in full physical form before Osiris, the god of the afterlife, for judgment. A well-preserved physique was thought to contribute to a favorable verdict at the judgment, resulting in an enjoyable afterlife.

5. Eternal Existence:
Egyptian society placed high importance on the idea of eternity, and the preservation of the deceased was a manifestation of this belief. The Egyptians sought continuity and immortality by maintaining the deceased's bodily integrity. They held that the departed will experience an existence that was comparable to their earthly one in the hereafter, with all of their connections, belongings, and social standing still intact.

In conclusion, Egyptians had a deep awareness of the afterlife and valued the continuity of existence, which led to their fundamental belief in keeping the dead preserved. The Egyptians tried to create a tangible vehicle for the soul in the hereafter and keep a connection between the living and the dead by mummifying their dead and performing elaborate funeral ceremonies. Following their cultural and religious beliefs, the departed were able to go successfully through the realms of eternity, judgment, and eternal existence thanks to the preservation of the body.