According to displays at the Kelsey Museum in Ann Arbor, MI, the Ka "required sustenance in the afterlife, and relatives or priests would make offerings in front of the false door." The false door was a structure that allowed the tomb to remain sealed, but symbolically permitted the Ka to leave the tomb, should it so choose. Of course, your average ancient Egyptian didn't like to be followed around by dead relatives any more than the next guy, and so the offerings were made to keep the Ka fat and happy in the tomb. This had the added benefit of discouraging this earth-bound ghost from wandering around the countryside, seeking sustenance from other sources.

Of course, the Egyptian dead did not always stay put. There are numerous letters that have come down to us from this ancient culture, written by the living and addressed to the dead. It seems that, when signs of a haunting began to occur, it was customary to address the dead person and politely request that they leave the living alone. In addition to nicely asking the dead to stop haunting them, the beleaguered family member would also promise to make bigger and better offerings to make it worth the spirit's while to hang out in its tomb.