Children of Sawari-Ra death rites
Death and afterlife play an important role in the beliefs of the Children of Sawari-Ra.
Execution
When the deceased dies the body is brought to the temple of Sakerh, where it will be prepared for burial.
First, priests of Ra-Avan cut out the heart of the deceased and place it in a clay urn. Then the deceased is released into the care of the resident priests of Sakerh to be washed and prepared for burial.
Deceased of high stature are embalmed before burial, their skin rubbed with fragrant spices, oils and perfumes. They are dressed in expensive robes and jewelry and sometimes death-masks are created.
Most deceased, except from the poorest, are placed into a coffin of some sort. The poor are placed in a simple wooden or clay coffin while the richest are sometimes placed to rest in a sarcophagus of gold and jewels.
Burial
Burial differs greatly depending on the stature of the deceased. The lowest on the social scale are simply buried out in the desert along with some personal property to bring with them on their journey to the afterlife. Others are buried with those whom they served, so that they may serve them again in the afterlife. The rich and those of high stature often have tombs built for them and their family and descendants. Tombs often contain multiple rooms and antechambers, traps to deter graverobbers and decorations (often religeous in nature). The tombs of Sultans and Emirs are often grand in scale, sometimes featuring dozens of chambers. These tombs are often clustered together to form grand necropoli.Components and tools
The hearts are cut out using ritualistic stone daggers and knifes fashioned to resemble the holy knife of Ra-Avan, the goddess of Judgement.
Fragrant spices, oils and perfume are used to prepare the deceased if they are of high stature.
Participants
Priests of Sakerh and Ra-Avan play a major role in these rituals. They prepare the deceased in a proper way, depending on how much they are paid by the relatives and servants.
The relatives and servants of the deceased are responsible for the transportation of the deceased to its final resting place.
Observance
Wakes and memorial services are held for the rich deceased and held during night at the temple of Sakerh.
