Many peoples saw the Edge of the Worlds in the form of a river—the River of Oblivion, and crossing it means not only the movement of the soul from the world of the living to the world of the dead, but also the severance of any connection, memory, or attachment to the Overworld. it is clear that the being who takes souls across this line was often perceived in the image of a boatman-carrier who carries out this severance of ties. Without his work, the soul will again and again be drawn to places and people dear to it, and, consequently, will turn into an utukku - a wandering dead man

Elder Charon (Χάρων - “bright”, in the sense of “Sparkling eyes”) is the most famous personification of the Ferryman in classical mythology. Charon transports the dead along the waters of underground rivers, receiving payment for this in one obol (according to funeral rites, it is located under the tongue of the dead). This custom was widespread among the Greeks not only in the Hellenic, but also in the Roman period of Greek history, was preserved in the Middle Ages and is even observed to this day

Christianity introduces to explain the moment of disincarnation under consideration the image of the Angel of Death, often known under the name Azrael (Hebrew: “God helped”). In any case, the need for a creature to help cross the threshold between life and death is recognized

Thus, in addition to the Guide, who helps the soul pass the path from life to death, a figure is needed on this path to make this process irreversible. It is this function of the Carrier of Souls that makes him the darkest character in the disincarnation process