Only pharaohs, their families, and very wealthy Egyptians could afford the process of mummification after their death. Poorer people had to content themselves with being buried in the sand.

Now, before you start a (three thousand year late) class war, let's look at the process those lucky Pharoahs went through to become Mummies:

1. Their death was announced. Makes sense. Keeps everyone informed.

2. Their body was embalmed. Fair enough, gets everything cleaned up - who doesn't enjoy a bit of embalming?

3. Their brains were pulled out through their nose. Sure, that's the logical ne-- WAIT, WHAT? Through the nose...?

OK. It's just the brain. I'm sure they had good reasons. As long as they left the rest of the body in one-

4. Their vital organs were dragged out through a hole in their stomach and put in jars. Really? Is no-one else opting for the sand burial yet?

5. The body was covered in salt, then left outside to dry for 40 days. Like forgotten laundry. Nice.

6. The body was wrapped up. Ah - finally, the 'mummy' bit. Well, after everything else you can see why wrapping it up was essential, if only for the aesthetics.

7. There was a procession, followed by entombment in the burial chamber. During which friends and family would walk along crying - probably because they were still getting over that thing with the brain.

All this was to prepare the deceased for entry to the Afterlife. Clearly one of the harder clubs to get into.