In the 1970s Summum introduced “Modern Mummification,” a form of mummification that Summum claims uses modern techniques along with aspects of ancient methods. The company’s mummification process preserves the body as a means to aid the essence as it transitions to a new destination. Summum calls this “transference,” and the concept seems to correlate with ancient Egyptian reasons for mummification. Today, Summum is the only organization in the world to offer this remarkable and distinguished tradition.
Summum uses a chemical process that maintains the body’s natural look. The process requires that the body stay submerged in a tank of preservation fluid for several months. Summum claims its process preserves the body so well that the DNA will remain intact far into the future, leaving open the possibility for cloning when the process is perfected for humans.
Anubis
Summum recommends your Mummiform be enshrined in a sanctuary/mausoleum or cemetery space that maintains a moderate temperature of 72° F (22° C) so that your mummy doesn’t freeze or get too warm.
Mummification
The traditional mummification process has two stages. The first one is called embalming. The embalming process cleans the body for the wrapping, the second stage. The wrapping has a number of special steps.
Embalming
First, the body is washed with palm wine and rinsed with water from the Nile River. A small cut is made in the left side of the body and the liver, lungs, small intestines, and large intestines, are removed. Next the brains are removed. The Egyptians used a long hook inserted through the nose to pull the brains out.
The body is covered and stuffed with natron. This is known as the drying stage, which is forty days. Then the body is washed with water from the Nile River and covered with sweet smelling oils. Finally, the body is stuffed with dry things, such as sawdust, leaves, and linen and covered with more oils. The internal organs are put into the canopic jars.
Wrapping
The head and neck are wrapped. Then fingers and toes are wrapped, followed by wrapping the arms and legs. Sacred amulets are placed.
The spells from the book of the dead are read. The arms and legs are tied together. A scroll is placed between the hands of the deceased. The full body is wrapped and is painted with liquid resin as glue. A cloth with Osiris painted on it is wrapped around the body. Linen stripes are wrapped around the body to hold the cloth in place.
The mummy is put in the first coffin. The mummy is put in the second coffin. The funeral is held. The opening of the mouth ceremony is performed. The mummy is put in the sarcophagus. The mummy is put in its final resting place, the tomb.
Anubis
Anubis is the god of embalming and the dead. He was believed to watch over the process of mummification
Mummify Yourself
There are two dozen mummified Japanese monks known as Sokushinbutsu. For three years the priests eat a special diet consisting of nuts and seeds, while undergoing rigorous physical activity to stripped them of body fat. Then they eat only bark and roots for another three years and drink a poisonous tea made from the sap of the Urushi tree, which contains Urushiol—same stuff that makes poison ivy—used to lacquer bowls. This caused vomiting and a rapid loss of bodily fluids.
Finally, the self-mummifying monk locks himself in a stone tomb barely larger than his body, where he stays in the lotus position. His only connection to the outside world is an air tube and a bell. Each day he rings a bell to let those outside know that he is still alive. When the bell stops ringing, the tube is removed and the tomb sealed.
Self-mummification is a long and extremely painful process that requires a mastery of self-control and denial of physical sensation. Not all monks who attempt self-mummification succeed, but the pay-off for the ones who do so is quite high. They were raised to the status of Budda, put on display, and tended to by their followers.
If you are mummified you must be very special indeed. For only the most valued are preserved as mummies.