Unconsecrated ground.

[Celtic Mongrel]

I have just found out that two of my ancestors, buried in Newlyn East in the 1880's were buried in unconsecrated ground.

Has anyone any idea of why this might be?

Thanks.

Sheila

[Dave Francis]

Executed?

[Emjaybee]

One baby in our family was buried at the very edge of the churchyard, not in line with the other two babies who died. It is said the baby was not christened before it died so was put on the edge of the church yard, away from the main burial ground.

Suicides were buried in unconcecrated ground too.

[RJ_Paton]

It could also be that they simply did not follow or wish to be associated with the church involved
eg the following is an extract from a report about the burial grounds in Lelant http://lelant.info/burialgrounds.htm

That a portion of the ground be left unconsecrated for the use of those who do not wish to avail themselves of the services of the Church of England. That a committee be formed to arrange with the representatives of the Trevethoe Estate as to the quantity of land required and the system of management of the unconsecrated portion, to settle the portion to be left unconsecrated, to price out the cost of enclosing and preparing the ground for burial, and to bring their arrangements before the vestry for approval."

[Gardener]

Falkyrn beat me to it
I have a feeling that the bodies of the executed were often buried in the prison grounds to avoid them being snatched and sold off in bits.

When I was a kid we were told that a grave in the field next to the church was that of a woman who committed suicide.

It being Cornwall would the local Methodists use an unconsecrated bit of a C of E churchyard? Do you know the religion (or not) of the people concerned?

[Valda]

By the nineteenth century, the Church’s attitude to the burial of suicides had begun to soften and through an Act of Parliament of 1823, such burials were permitted in graveyards.

There were strict rules and regulations regarding the burial of executed prisoners (in prisons).

Falkyrn's answer would be the most likely.

Regards

Valda

[Celtic Mongrel]

Thanks for those.

They were not executed!!!

They were husband and wife who died at different times, no whiff of scandal, so I think that suicide is out.

They were christened.

However I understand that some of the family became staunch Methodists, so that seems as though it could be the reason.

Sheila

[223344]

Methodists were/are buried in unconsecrated ground.   My mother was quite upset when we bought a plot for my father  to see it was unconsecrated ground although part of the general cemetery. We were told that the ground is consecrated by the priest at the graveside at the time of burial.

[Celtic Mongrel]

That seems to be the answer. I was a bit puzzled when I first found out.
Thanks.
Sheila