Death is one of the most prominent features of Egyptian religion. Graves, whether pyramids, vast fields of rectangular mastabas, or tombs cut into the hillsides of the Nile Valley, remain a prominent part of the landscape. A large section of ancient Egypt's economic base was devoted to preparing for death. Groups of men excavated the tombs, designed them, and planned and executed their decoration. Craftsmen designed and created the coffins and statues required by the funerary cult. Other artisans formulated incense that was used for purification rituals, threw the vessels that were used for offerings, wove the lengths of linen used to bandage the mummy, and grew the food that provisioned the deceased. Men and women made their livings serving as priests in mortuary cults. Most people, in one way or another, directly or indirectly, were associated with the industry of death.

The Egyptian Attitude Toward Death

How did the Egyptians manage to live with the grim specter of death always around them yet still enjoy life? Despite their preoccupation with death, they did not look forward to dying. Rather, texts indicate that they hated and feared the end of life. The Old Kingdom sage Hordjedef wrote, “Depressing for us is death – it is life that we hold in high esteem.”