Coffin Fragment Showing Mourning Isis

After Osiris's murder by Seth, Isis and her sister Nephthys mourned the death of the benevolent god-king. Their grieving may be seen as preparation for the god's magical "rebirth." In allusion, the Egyptians hired professional mourners to participate at funerals. It was believed that just as the goddesses helped bring about Osiris's resurrection, so too would the presence of mourners at a funeral help ensure the deceased's rebirth.