psychopomp
noun·/ˈsaɪ.koʊ.pɑːmp/
A guide of souls. A being who escorts the dead from the world of the living to whatever lies beyond, across thresholds not meant to be crossed alone. A psychopomp accompanies rather than takes, death rendered as passage with an attendant.
In the old tale the raven was no omen but a psychopomp, patient as dusk, waiting to lead the lost home.
Etymology
From Greek psychopompos, from psychē "soul" + pompos "guide, conductor." Matter-of-fact about a metaphysical job: escort, not judgment.
Related Words
Hermesa classical psychopomp figure in Greek tradition
Anubisa funerary guide figure in Egyptian tradition
thanatologystudy of death; modern, analytical neighbor
liminalthreshold-like; the psychopomp’s terrain