What practice was associated with the belief in an afterlife for pharaohs during the Old Kingdom?

The practice associated with the belief in an afterlife for pharaohs during the Old Kingdom is embalming. This ancient Egyptian ritual involved the preservation of the body through the removal of internal organs and the application of resins and oils to prevent decay. The primary purpose of embalming was to prepare the deceased for the afterlife, which was a central tenet of ancient Egyptian belief. Egyptians thought that the preservation of the body in life-like condition was essential for the individual’s spirit, or "ka," to recognize and inhabit the body after death.

Embalming was commonly performed on pharaohs, who were viewed as divine figures and rulers. The elaborate burial practices, including mummification and burial in grand tombs like the pyramids, reflected their beliefs about the afterlife and the importance of maintaining the body for eternal life. This made the body a crucial aspect of the afterlife experience, ensuring that pharaohs could live on in the world beyond.

Other practices like ritual sacrifice, celebration, and separation do not directly align with the specific custom of preparing the body for an afterlife, which is why embalming is the appropriate choice in this context.