The burial rituals introduced by the Egyptians were the most complex spiritual rites of their time and, perhaps, to this day. Their elaborate customs, tombs, and gifts to the dead were representative of their pious and devoted nature. Although not all were as imposing as the seven oldest and most ancient wonders of the world, the Pyramids of Giza, all were significant and sacred. The Egyptians, very respectful of their dead, adopted religious and ornate burial practices to suit each member of their society. The grandeur with which the Egyptians regarded their funeral customs is not without explanation. They delighted in linking events in the natural world to supernatural dogmas, and their funerary practices illustrate this deluge of religion. A particular divinity was even attributed to cemeteries and embalmers: Anubis (Fiero, 46). Because of this deep sense of religion, a fixation on the afterlife developed within their culture. The Egyptian afterlife, however, is not synonymous with uprising, but rather with Field of Reeds, a continuation of life in Egypt meaning "securing and perpetuating in the afterlife the 'good life' one enjoys on earth” (Mark 1). ; “Life in Ancient Egypt” 1). The pursuit of this sacred resting place prompted the emergence of complex Egyptian funerary rituals. Funeral Customs Perhaps the most famous burial practice originating in Egypt is that of mummification. Why such an extraordinary attempt was made to preserve the corpses may seem illogical to some, but the reasons for embalming the dead made perfect sense to the Egyptians. Mummification kept corpses in a desiccated and intact state; the body must be adapted for the owner's spirit to return for an appointment, according to Egyptian belief (Evans, 20)....... middle of paper ...... of which I will one day be a part . Egyptian life was only a temporary commitment; the real pleasure came from crossing the Nile to the Field of Reeds where they would live forever in peace and luxury. Thus, Egyptian culture showed the increase in funeral rites and important burial practices. Works Cited Evans, Elaine Altaman. Np: np, nd Frank H. McClung Museum, College of Liberal Arts, University of Tennessee. Internet. February 2, 2014.Fiero, Gloria K. “Africa: Gods, Rulers and Social Order.” The humanist tradition. 6th ed. Flight. I. Boston: McGraw Hill, 2002. 44-62. Print. From prehistory to the beginning of the modern world. “Life in Ancient Egypt. » Carnegie Museum of Natural History. Carnegie Museum of Natural History, nd Web. February 2, 2014. Mark, Joshua J. “Egyptian Burial.” Encyclopedia of ancient history. Encyclopedia of Ancient History Ltd., January 19, 2013. Web. February 2. 2014.