What Ancient Egypt Still Teaches Us About Death

We tend to think that social inequality ends at the grave and that death is the ultimate equalizer. But is it?

At least not in ancient Egypt, where a person’s social status and wealth determined not just how they lived, but also how they were buried and prepared for the afterlife. As one of the many civilizations that believed in a life after death, the ancient Egyptians practiced elaborate burial rituals to ensure eternal fulfillment in the afterlife: mummification, placing everything the deceased might need (food, clothing, jewelry, etc.) in the tombs, and building ornate coffins. However, not every individual had an equal opportunity to reach the afterlife. Only the wealthy and individuals who belonged to the higher strata of society, for example, pharaohs, priests, and officials could afford to splurge on lavish burial goods that were believed to guarantee a comfortable journey into the afterlife. While the elite used precious metals such as gold and silver to decorate their coffins, the ordinary citizens were buried in modest pits, replicating expensive coffins with cheaper materials including wood, pottery, and stones.  Even in death, Egypt’s rigid social hierarchy prevailed.

When we look at our world today, the truth is, not much has changed. While we no longer memorialize death in tombs, one’s wealth and social status still have a huge influence on how one is remembered, mourned, and even buried. From the cost of funerals to preserving legacies, wealth and social class often dictate whose stories live on. Not only that, but the ripple effect of one’s social status also extends far beyond—families who inherit wealth and assets continue to thrive, while those without such means struggle after a loved one’s passing.

Thousands of years later, the Egyptians might still be right that social status can outlive one’s lifespan.