Why did ancient Egyptians embalm their dead?

For what purpose did the ancient Egyptians embalm the bodies of the departed?

They had two purposes to serve by this custom. 

One of these was this—

There was a law in Egypt from which even kings were not exempt—

Before burial, a court should be held for the trial of the deceased where his deeds were recited before the judge, and if found wanting, his evil deeds overbalancing his good deeds, the body was sent back to his house—there to remain as a warning to others. 

In such a case, it would not, of course, have been wise in a warm climate to keep the body without embalming it. 

Again, it was the belief of the people of Egypt that when the Spirit appeared before the Great Judge in the spirit-world, and was found wanting, he was sent back to the old tenement—there to abide until he became fit to enter into the Paradise of the Righteous. 

There was a good salutary effect produced on the minds of the people who entertained these ideas.

—Hafed, Prince of Persia