Corpses have held a special place in our history, culture, and traditions throughout the centuries. In many ways they’re viewed as a symbol of both mortality and immortality, as death is often seen as a gateway to the afterlife. Corpses are seen to represent the last physical reminder of a life once lived, which can generate a variety of emotions from reverence to dread. In many ancient cultures, corpses had special spiritual and religious significance. For example, the ancient Egyptians went to great lengths to preserve their dead with complex mummification rituals, believing that the body and soul were inextricably linked. Buddhist burial ceremonies practiced in several East Asian countries still involve the preparation of the body for death. Likewise, funeral rites in Hinduism emphasize the importance of establishing one last spiritual connection with the person that has died. Today, the care and respect of the dead is still commonly practiced in many cultures. These practices may take the form of prayers, wakes, or whatever honours or commemorates the life that once was. Furthermore, advances in medical science have made it possible to extend these practices in order to preserve the physical body for extended periods of time. This could allow us to keep our loved ones close even after they have gone — a testament to the powerful emotions that corpses can evoke in us.