Deities that represent the transition from life to the afterlife include figures like Charon in Greek mythology and Anubis in Egyptian beliefs. Charon is the ferryman who transports souls across the river Styx, while Anubis, depicted as a jackal, oversees mummification and the afterlife. These deities symbolize the journey after death and play vital roles in guiding souls and ensuring safe passage to the next realm. They embody cultural attitudes towards death and the afterlife, demonstrating the reverence many societies have towards the unknown aspects of existence.