Many sets of religious beliefs have a particular spirit, deity, demon or angel whose responsibility is to escort newly-deceased souls to the afterlife, such as Heaven or Hell. These creatures are called psychopomps, from the Greek word ψυχοπομπóς (psychopompos), literally meaning the 'guide of souls'.

They were often associated with horses, ravens, dogs, crows, sparrows, harts (that is, male deer), and dolphins.

Psychopomp:
You wanted this
So sad to see
The sweet decay
Of ecstasy

And you want it all
And you want it all

A frozen sun,
Will guide you there
As shadows hide
The deep despair

And you want it all

And you want it all
I'll give you something more
And you'll fade away
One last kiss before
You fade away.

So sleep tonight,
In idle dreams
The pain will drown,
Your silent screams

And you want it all

And you want it all
I'll give you something more
And you'll fade away
One last kiss before
You fade away
Lives you once adored
will fade away
Lies you can't ignore
You soon repay
As you fade away
(lyrics by Jeff Martin)