Who is Osiris in ancient Egyptian mythology?

Osiris is known as the God of the Afterlife in ancient Egyptian mythology, which highlights his significant role in the spiritual beliefs and rituals surrounding death and the journey to the afterlife. He is closely associated with resurrection and fertility, symbolizing the cyclical nature of life and death. In myth, Osiris was believed to have been killed and resurrected by his wife, Isis, which made him the ruler of the underworld and thus a central figure in the Egyptian understanding of death and what follows.

His connections to the afterlife were so important that the ancient Egyptians often associated burial practices and the afterlife with Osiris. Many tombs and burial sites contained inscriptions and offerings to him, demonstrating his role as a guide and protector of the deceased. This belief system set the foundation for the Egyptians’ views on immortality and the importance of proper funerary rites, which are crucial elements in the study of funeral service education.