It is very easy for mortals to descend to the Netherworld; anyone can go there effortlessly, but trying to make the return journey back to the Mortal World is very difficult. Only a few Heavenly Gods have managed it, and they had to pay a great price.
Generally speaking, on the journey to the Underworld, every soul must pass through seven tightly closed gates. Each gate is guarded to prevent them from going the wrong way—that would mean horrific outcomes like being devoured by monsters or ravaged by demons. Only after paying the passage fee to the guards can the spirits continue forward. This is why the dead are buried in lavish attire, adorned with as much jewelry as possible. Even the poor will bring some coins to pay when the time comes.
But regardless of whether the dead were poor or wealthy, after passing through the sevenfold gates, they will lose all their wealth, status, and identity from their lifetimes, entering the realm of death in an equal state.
