Why a Burial in Unconcecrated Ground?

[J.R.Ellam]

A lot of suicides were not allowed to be buried in church or consecrated ground but that is why they gave the inquest verdict of taking his own life while in a state of "unsound mind" which meant they could be buried in consecrated ground. (And the vicar would also charge more.)

John

[stanmapstone]

Historically the goods of people found guilty of the 'crime' of suicide were forfeit to the crown, often leaving the survivors in poverty, however if the person committed suicide while the balance of the mind was disturbed (non compos mentis) the survivors were not subject to this draconian penalty.
This forfeiture of property for the felony of suicide was seldom applied for many years before its repeal, but it was the letter of the law up to 1870.

Stan

[Wiggy]

that's really cruel isn't it.  Thank goodness things have changed.

[stanmapstone]

Forfeiture Act 1870 "An Act to abolish Forfeitures for Treason and Felony, and to otherwise amend the Law relating thereto" http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/33-34/23/enacted

Stan