When an ancient Egyptian of importance died, his or her body was carried in procession to its tomb and then the ceremony of the opening of the mouth was performed. This ceremony, performed on statues of the gods, was designed to endow the statue with the living ka of the deceased for the journey to the afterlife. The deceased was then mummified, important organs were placed in their own canopic jars, offerings were made to the gods, and then the deceased was ready to face judgment.

“Nephthys saith unto the Osiris Ani, whose word is truth: I go round about thee to protect thee, O brother Osiris. I have come to be a protector unto thee. My strength shall be near thee, my strength shall be near thee, for ever. Ra hath heard thy cry, and the gods have made thy word to be truth. Thou art raised up. Thy word is truth in respect of what hath been done unto thee. Ptah hath overthrown thy foes, and thou art Horus, the son of Hathor.”

-– The Papyrus of Ani