Embalming means treating a corpse in a way that preserves it, as with chemicals, medicines or balms; furthermore, to keep in memory and ensure that they remain unchanged. A funeral is a ceremony that often represents the moment when loved ones can say goodbye for the last time and talk about the good times spent with the person who died. In Egypt, embalming and funerals combine to form an ancient custom that seems to leave many speechless. Egyptians believe that the dead should be treated with great care. They also believe that how someone lives their life determines how good their afterlife will be. Many difficult techniques were used to preserve the bodies of the dead, proving that the ancient Egyptians were actually quite intelligent. Using these techniques, internal organs are removed and the body is dehydrated. Another part of their custom is the ceremony in which the body is buried and the living can bring charges against the dead. These accusations have the potential to change the outcome of the ceremony. Through the use of embalming and a well-thought-out ceremonial process, the Egyptians developed surprisingly effective customs that help preserve and honor the dead. If there was a death in the royal family, the whole country cried and all the temples were closed. A 72-day mourning period began. During these 72 days there were no sacrifices or celebrations. The people also did not consume grain, meat, wine or fine foods and did not use baths or ointments, lie on sofas or make love. Another custom involving 200 to 300 people is quite unique; they put mud on their heads and clothes and twice a day went around singing in the streets in praise of the dead. On the 72nd day of mourning, the coffin containing the now mother... in the center of paper... EA Wallis. The Mummy: a history of the extraordinary practice of ancient Egypt. Avenel, New Jersey: Wings Books, 1989Bucaille, Maurice. Pharaoh mummies: modern medical investigations. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1990. "The Boy Behind the Mask: Scientists Reveal King Tut's Face to the Public." WR News, Senior Edition (including Science Spin) 86.13 (December 7, 2007): 4(3). Student Resource Center-Bronze. Storm. Hershey High School. March 15, 2009. National Geographic. “Facts about Egypt, Egypt travel videos, flags, photos-National Geographic.” Travel and Cultures: Facts, Travel Videos, Flags, Photos, National Geographic. March 15, 2009. Marston, Wendy. “Making a Modern Mummy.” Discover March 2000: 70-75. March 15. 2009 .