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Across different cultures and faiths, people hold unique beliefs about what happens after death. However, most share the conviction that there is some form of existence beyond this one. While many religions agree on the existence of another realm, their interpretations vary widely in terms of its nature, location, and, most crucially, the proper way to reach it. Here, we explore 10 ancient burial rituals thought to assist the departed in their journey to the afterlife.
10. Funeral Pathways
In the Middle Ages, churches played a significant role in protecting their parishioners. When someone from the parish passed away, the church took it upon themselves to ensure they were buried in the appropriate churchyard. This was not only seen as the right thing to do but also because it guaranteed the church would receive payment for the burial service.
As communities expanded, the distance between villages and their local parish churches grew, making it increasingly difficult to transport the deceased from the village to the churchyard. This led to the creation of corpse roads—routes connecting villages to cemeteries. These roads, also known as coffin roads, church paths, or burial routes, often passed through isolated and hard-to-reach areas. Landowners were generally opposed to these roads becoming used for trade or travel, and it was believed that spirits could only travel in straight lines. As a result, these winding roads, along with labyrinths and crossroads, were meant to prevent the spirit of the deceased from returning to haunt their former home. Additionally, it was thought that spirits could not cross water, which is why many corpse roads were designed with rivers running through them. There was also a superstition that the body should be carried with its feet facing away from its home to ensure the spirit would not come back.
Today, many of these roads have faded into history, but some still exist in the UK and the Netherlands. You can spot them by their name and by landmarks such as crosses, lych gates, and coffin stones (stones used to rest the coffin when bearers needed a break, as it was believed that letting the spirit touch the ground was inadvisable). If you happen to see a corpse candle glowing in the distance, you can be certain you're on the right path.
9. Coffin Portraits
The term “coffin portrait” refers to a custom that was prevalent in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the 17th and 18th centuries. It involved placing an incredibly lifelike portrait of the deceased on the coffin for the funeral, which would then be removed before burial. These portraits had to be highly realistic, as their purpose was to give the impression that the deceased was present at their own funeral. Typically, the portrait depicted the deceased standing upright along the central axis, facing slightly to the side with their eyes gazing directly at the attendees. These coffin portraits were also thought to symbolize the eternity of the spiritual body, destined to rise during the Last Judgement, in contrast to the physical body, which would soon be laid to rest.
The quality of coffin paintings varied according to the deceased's wealth, as they were created on materials ranging from tin and copper to lead. Consequently, their cost could range from modest to extravagant.
Yet, these peculiar portraits were not solely a 17th-century invention. The tradition of coffin portraits dates back to ancient Egypt, where they were known as mummy portraits, or more specifically, Fayum portraits, named after the Fayum Basin where they were particularly popular. These portraits emerged during the Greek and Roman periods in Egypt, a time when Egyptian burial customs were slightly altered to include these unusual funerary images. The exact purpose of Fayum portraits remains uncertain, though they may have served a similar function to the carved wooden masks placed over the deceased’s face—to help identify the individual in the afterlife.
8. Totenpass
Totenpass, often referred to as the “passport of the dead,” consists of small metal leaves or inscribed tablets that were buried with individuals from Orphic, Dionysiac, and certain ancient Egyptian and Semitic faiths. The gold inscriptions on these tablets or leaves provided the deceased with instructions on how to navigate the afterlife, outlining guidance for avoiding dangers and the proper answers to give to the judges of the underworld. The Totenpass was typically placed in the hands of the deceased, unless it was folded into a capsule. If folded, it was either worn as a necklace or placed inside the mouth of the deceased person.
The most famous example of a Totenpass is the Orphic gold tablets. The term “Orphic” refers to the Orphic religion, a mystery cult that was prevalent among the ancient Greeks and Thracians, which involved performing secret rituals and sharing esoteric knowledge about the afterlife. Only a limited number of these tablets have been discovered, which supports the idea that they were used by a select group. However, the range of locations where these tablets were found is quite extensive, spanning from Macedonia and the Greek islands to Rome. Additionally, there is a significant time span between the oldest and the most recent tablets, with nearly 600 years separating them.
7. Kkoktu
Kktoktu refers to small, vibrantly painted wooden Korean funeral dolls that were used to decorate coffins. These figures depicted people, animals, and mythical beings. Unlike typical funeral art that tends to be somber, kkoktu were designed to be colorful and lively. Interestingly, their use wasn't limited to the wealthy; common people used them just as much as aristocrats. While their bright and cheerful appearance might seem out of place in a time of mourning, these figurines reflect the cultural desire to ensure that the deceased passed into the afterlife surrounded by joy and care.
These brightly painted figurines of animals and humans were often placed on a bier (a movable frame for carrying the coffin or body) to provide company and guide the deceased into the afterlife. Even when kkoktu took human form, they were not seen as human themselves, but rather as mediators between the physical world and the spiritual realm.
Kkoktu appeared in various forms, the most common being the guide, the protector, the caregiver, and the entertainer. The guide was often depicted riding an animal, leading the soul of the deceased to the other world. The protector was portrayed as a warrior or military officer whose role was to guard the soul from malevolent spirits. The caregiver, typically shown as a woman, was tasked with providing care for the deceased as though they were still alive. The entertainer was frequently shown as a clown or acrobat, providing comfort to the deceased and helping to distract mourners from their sorrow. Popular mythical figures like phoenixes, dragons, and goblins were also used, symbolizing the soul's liberation.
6. Charon’s Obols Or Danake
The term “Charon’s obol” refers to the coins used in ancient Greece as a payment to Charon, the ferryman of the underworld. According to Greek mythology, Charon was the one who transported the souls of the deceased across the River Acheron (in Greek texts) or the River Styx (in Latin texts). In order to secure passage to the afterlife, the deceased had to pay Charon with an obol. Those unable to pay were doomed to wander the shores, haunting the living world as restless spirits.
The word “obol” originally referred to a small silver coin in ancient Greece. However, after Greek cities in the Mediterranean were incorporated into the Roman Empire, the term came to represent any low-value bronze coin. Alongside obols, another type of coin known as danake—an ancient Persian synonym for obol—has been found in excavations and on the antiquities market. Danake coins are often uniface, meaning their design appears only on one side. One such coin features an image of a honeybee, perhaps symbolizing a desire for a sweet afterlife.
A limited number of ancient Greek graves have been found with coins inside them. Moreover, the positioning of these coins was not always confined to the mouth of the deceased. Charon’s obols, for example, have been found placed in or near the hands, at the feet, or scattered throughout the grave. In regions where cremation was the common funerary practice, burned coins were occasionally discovered among the ashes in the urn. Scholars have proposed various theories for the presence of Charon’s obols, such as the notion that they were meant to pay the deceased to prevent their return to the living world, or that the deceased used them in the afterlife to maintain their standing in the underworld.
5. The Book Of The Dead
The Egyptian Book of the Dead, also referred to as The Book of Coming Forth by Day or Spells for Going Forth by Day, is a compilation of magical spells and formulas intended to guide the deceased through the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians believed that the afterlife was a continuation of earthly existence, and that after overcoming challenges and judgments in the Hall of Truth, the deceased could enter a paradise that mirrored their life on Earth. However, to gain access to this paradise, one had to know the right path, how to address the gods, and the correct words to speak at specific moments. This is where the Book of the Dead proved to be invaluable.
The earliest known version of the Book of the Dead is believed to have partially incorporated two earlier collections of Egyptian religious writings—the Coffin Texts and the Pyramid Texts. Over time, both of these texts were superseded by the Book of the Dead, which grew in popularity throughout Egypt, reaching all social classes during the New Kingdom period (16th to 11th centuries BC).
Scribes specialized in spells were often hired to create personalized versions of the Book of the Dead for individuals or families. To craft a tailored journey and forewarn of potential obstacles in the afterlife, the scribe needed to understand the life of the person requesting the book. Based on this information, specific spells and instructions were created. The number and nature of the spells, as well as the illustrations included, were dependent on the requester’s financial means, which also determined the quality of the papyrus used.
Spell 125 of the Book of the Dead was the most widely used and described the judgment of the deceased's heart in the Hall of Truth. It guided the deceased on the proper words to speak when facing the gods. Beyond this, it required detailed knowledge, such as the names of the gods, their roles, the names of the doors, the floor the deceased must cross, and even the names of their own feet. The spell concluded with instructions on what the soul should wear when meeting the gods and how to recite the spell. If the deceased’s heart was found lighter than the Feather of Truth, they would gain access to eternal paradise, where they could be reunited with loved ones, including pets.
4. Kulap
Kulap were figures carved from limestone or chalk, which held significant value in funerary practices in Southern New Ireland, Papua New Guinea. These figures were crafted by experts from the Punam region of the Rossel Mountains, an area known for its limestone quarries, and served to honor and remember the deceased.
The Kulap figures functioned as temporary earthly homes for the deceased’s spirit, preventing it from roaming the village and causing harm or mischief to the living. When a wealthy individual passed away, a male relative would travel to the Rossel Mountains to obtain a kulap figure, selecting a male or female figure based on the deceased’s gender. Upon returning, the figure would be presented to the village leader, who placed it in a memorial shrine with other kulap. Only men were permitted to enter the shrine to view the figures and engage in ceremonial dances, while women gathered outside to grieve the loss of their relatives.
Once the funeral rites were complete and the kulap figure was no longer necessary, it was removed from the shrine and destroyed, symbolizing the release of the deceased’s spirit on its journey into the afterlife. The use of kulap figures eventually ceased with the rise of Christianity in Southern New Ireland during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
3. Maize
The Maya viewed the afterlife, known as Xibalba (translated as “Place of Fright”), as a terrifying world inhabited by fierce gods and savage creatures. They believed escaping this dreadful place was impossible, as the inevitable human flaws and mistakes were bound to lead one there. Only those who met violent deaths could avoid Xibalba’s horrors.
In Mayan tradition, the deceased were often buried with maize placed in their mouths. This practice was thought to nourish the soul as it journeyed through the fearsome terrain of Xibalba, while also symbolizing the soul’s rebirth. Given that maize, squash, and beans were staple crops in the Mayan diet, it’s fitting that maize was chosen to sustain the soul. Ancient farming practices often involved the combined planting of these crops, with maize supporting the climbing beans, and the squash trailing along the ground.
In addition to maize, the deceased's mouth was frequently filled with one or more jade beads. Some believe these beads acted as currency for the journey to Xibalba, while others argue that a single jade bead was equivalent to an endless supply of maize for the deceased’s journey.
2. Funerary Amulets
The ancient Egyptians believed that amulets possessed magical properties that could offer protection and bring good fortune to their wearers. These amulets were worn from a young age, adorning the neck, wrists, fingers, and ankles. They were considered just as essential after death as they were during life.
There was an extensive variety of amulets available for funerary purposes, with the choice ultimately guided by the deceased’s wealth and personal preferences. These amulets were meticulously placed on the mummy during the embalming process. Some amulets could be placed anywhere on the body, while others had designated spots. Priests would recite prayers and perform rituals as they positioned the amulets to ensure their power was fully activated.
The most widely used amulet was the Heart Scarab, which was placed over the deceased’s heart to protect it from being separated from the body in the underworld. The heart was considered crucial in the Weighing of the Heart Ceremony. Those who feared failing this judgment could recite the spell inscribed on the Heart Scarab to ensure their heart remained loyal. Another significant amulet was the Amulet of the Ladder, believed to grant the deceased a safe passage from Earth to the afterlife. These amulets are frequently referenced in the Book of the Dead.
Funerary amulets were also used in China in much the same way as in ancient Egypt. During the Han dynasty (202 BC–AD 220) and earlier, cicadas, a sacred symbol of rebirth and immortality, were carved from jade. These were known as funeral jades, amulets of death, or tongue amulets. The jade cicadas were placed on the deceased’s tongue to invoke resurrection through sympathetic magic.
1. Amatl
At the peak of Aztec civilization, when someone of low or moderate status passed away, burial ceremony specialists were called to carry out the necessary rituals and prepare the body for its journey into the afterlife. These rituals included pouring water over the deceased's head and dressing the body according to their life circumstances, fortune, or cause of death. For instance, if the deceased had perished from excessive alcohol consumption, they were dressed in symbols representing Tezcatzoncatl, the god of wine and indulgence. A vase of water was then placed near the body to quench the deceased's thirst during their journey to the afterlife.
One of the most vital rituals involved covering the deceased’s body with paper made from tree bark, known as amatl (or amate). The priests overseeing the funeral would explain the purpose of the paper to the deceased: the first piece allowed safe passage through two contending mountains, the second piece ensured safe travel along a dangerous road guarded by the Great Serpent, and the third piece provided protection to cross the domain of the Great Crocodile. The fourth piece acted as a passport to cross the Seven Deserts, the fifth granted safe passage through the Eight Hills, and the sixth, perhaps most importantly, shielded the deceased from the northern wind. Additionally, to further protect the soul, the Aztecs would burn the deceased's clothes and arms, using the warmth from the flames to safeguard the soul from the cold winds of the north.
The sacrifice of a Techichi dog was a key part of the funeral ritual, as it was believed the dog would guide the deceased to the afterlife. A cord was tied around the dog’s neck to ensure its ability to cross the Nine Waters river. The dog was then either cremated or buried with the deceased. If the body was cremated, its ashes were collected in a vase, with a green jewel placed at the bottom to symbolize the heart of the soul in the afterlife.
