Ramesses Khaemwese suggests that you:
Take Good Care of Your Mummy
When Pharaoh dies, we must prepare (mummify) his body for his journey to the Underworld. The ritual must be followed precisely and finished within 3 lunar months. Otherwise, the King will remain in this world forever.
Ramesses II (my dad!)
- Place the body upon the embalming table (Ibu) inside the Wabet (Embalming Room) for the messy parts of the ritual. Wash with warm palm wine and water, annoint with oil of cedar while reciting from the Book of the Dead.
- Place an iron hook up into the brain cavity, pull out the brains through the nose and discard. His earthly memories are no longer needed.
- Make an incision with a flint knife in the chest cavity. It is traditional for selected family members to verbally abuse and throw stones at the scribe (called the slicer) who performs the cutting.
Carefully remove the stomach, lungs and liver, paint each with pine resin, wrap in linen and store in sacred Canopic jars. The heart must remain in the body.
- Fill the cavity with resin and cedar oil-soaked linen, sawdust, crushed lotus, myrhh, cassia and onion.
- Bury the body for 70 days in Natron (a strong mineral salt) to dry the body. A 120 pound mummy will weigh approximately 70 pounds.
- Kill and quickly mummify the King's favorite servants (yes, servants) and pets. He will need them in the Afterworld.
- Transport the King to the Per Nefer (House of Beauty). Coat the body with hot pine resin. Family members will place precious stones into the liquid as it cools. Place a solid gold Ankh (Egyptian symbol of life) upon his chest and a gold portrait mask upon his face.
- Wrap the King with linen bands (turned inwards to the body) inscribed in Henna with his identification and the story of his life.
- Now, he is ready for burial along with all the possessions and sacred objects that he will need for his life in the next world.
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