Funeral Service Practice Exam

Which society is credited with the development of canopic jars for burial practices?

1. Greek society

2. Roman society

3. Ancient Egyptian society

4. Indigenous cultures

The correct answer is: Ancient Egyptian society

Canopic jars are specifically associated with the burial practices of Ancient Egyptian society. These jars were designed to hold and preserve the internal organs of the deceased, as part of the mummification process. The Egyptians believed that these organs were essential for the afterlife, and thus they needed to be protected and kept separate from the body during burial. Each jar was typically dedicated to one of the four sons of Horus, who were believed to protect the organs: Imsety (human head for the liver), Hapy (baboon head for the lungs), Duamutef (jackal head for the stomach), and Qebehsenuef (falcon head for the intestines). This practice reflects the deep religious beliefs of the Ancient Egyptians concerning the afterlife and the preservation of the body for a successful journey into the next world, which distinguishes their burial customs from those of other societies like the Greeks or Romans known for different rituals, or Indigenous cultures which have varied practices that do not typically include canopic jars.