Genesis 50

2 An untreated body needed to be buried immediately. However, that would not be possible since Israel was to be buried in Canaan. Joseph then directed his physicians to preserve the body with traditional Egyptian embalming (i.e., they mummified Israel).
3 Egyptian embalming was an elaborate ritual that took 40 days to complete. The Egyptians joined Joseph in mourning for either 30 additional days, as was customary for the Israelites to observe for the death of a great leader. This would have been like a state funeral. Mourning was much more formalized than it is today.
4 Joseph was asking a special favor of Pharaoh. He would need to take a long leave of absence from his duties to bury his father. It appears that Joseph did not speak directly with Pharaoh about this matter, but members of Pharaoh's family acted as liaisons.
7 Pharaoh showed great respect for Joseph and his father. Although it was probably unusual for a state funeral to last as long as this one did, Pharaoh not only granted it, but he also allowed all the dignitaries of Egypt to go with him. During his absence, Pharaoh ran the country himself.
8 All of Israel's extended family joined the funeral procession as well.
10 Upon reaching the burial ground, a seven-day observance was held.
11 Mourning traditions of the Middle East today still include loud wailing.
15 It is sad that after all that Joseph had done for them that they did not trust him. They did not understand what forgiveness was, even though Joseph had given them a perfect example.
16 They would not even confront Joseph themselves, but sent a messenger to speak for them. They also made up a story (a lie) to "trick" Joseph into forgiving them.
17 This is the first time we see the brothers confess their evil deed to Joseph.Joseph probably wept for several reasons: 1) the memory of his father's death still hurt, 2) his brothers didn't trust him, 3) he knew his brothers were making up this story.
18 Joseph had probably sent a reply and his brothers came to see him.
19 Again Joseph must explain that he is God's servant and is not in any position to take revenge for what his brothers did to him.
20 Besides that, Joseph saw the big picture. He had suffered greatly, but when he saw how God used him to save his family he felt it was worth it.
21 Again Joseph promises to provide for his extended family, just as he had been doing for over twelve years.
24 It appears that Joseph may have been the first of his brothers to die. He knew that Israel would continue to be a distinct nation within Egypt, but after some time God Himself would remove Israel for there and return them to the land of Canaan.
25 Joseph would be mummified and perhaps placed in an Egyptian tomb, but when the nation of Israel returned to Canaan, his remains were to be taken back as well for burial.