Shansheeth

The Shansheeth were a species known as galactic undertakers.

Biology
The Shansheeth had a likeness to Earth vultures. They had hunched shoulders with their necks protruding from the middle section of their body with feathers around them. They were able to project an energy beam from their hands offensively. (SJA: Death of the Doctor)

Technology
Shansheeth used epitaph stones to communicate with others. They also made use of a Memory Weave, though whether they created it themselves is unknown. (SJA: Death of the Doctor)

Culture
The Shansheeth were known for travelling through space to return lost heroes to their kin. They referred to groups as "tribes" and were led by the Wide Wing of the High Shansheeth Nest. Shansheeth wore robes and had small jewels on their forehead. (SJA: Death of the Doctor)

History
In 2010 a rogue group of Shansheeth, the Claw Shansheeth of the 15th Funeral Fleet, lured the Doctor to the Crimson Heart, where they stole his TARDIS, intending to use it to avert death on a historical scale. They were unable to get his key to get in, so they planned to use a Memory Weave on his companions, using their minds to create a copy of the key. They came to Earth, claiming to have found the Doctor's body and holding a funeral. When Sarah Jane Smith and Josephine Grant came to the funeral, the Shansheeth Memory Weave found that they had the strongest memories and they planned to use them to create the key. Though the Doctor was able to escape Crimson Heart, he was unable to prevent them from being captured. Sarah Jane and Jo were able to overload the Memory Weave by recalling all their memories of the Doctor. The Shansheeth were killed when the Memory Weave exploded after overloading. The Wide Wing of the High Shansheeth Nest later apologised on behalf of the rogue group. (SJA: Death of the Doctor)

Clyde Langer later used the Shansheeth as inspiration for his drawings. (SJA: The Empty Planet)

Behind the Scenes

 * The Shansheeth are similar in design and style of puppeteering as the Skeksis, a group of full body puppets used in the Fantasy film The Dark Crystal.