Why a Burial in Unconcecrated Ground?

[muckandtwigs]

Thanks for that, from Norfolk in England.
Billy

[Wiggy]

Thanks for that, from Norfolk in England.
Billy

From Norfolk Island, South Pacific     

- but if it happened here under British jurisdiction, then I presume it could happen in England.     

[muckandtwigs]

Well yes I believe people who were executed in prisons in this country were buried in prison grounds ( I assume unconsecrated ) and have read where families have tried to claim the body but have been denied the right.

[iolaus]

suicides were often buried in unconsecrated ground too

[stanmapstone]

At one time the burial of suicides, along with felons, outcasts and unbaptised infants, would normally be in unconsecrated ground.
An 1823 statute legalized the burial of suicides in consecrated ground, but religious services were not permitted until 1882. In the year 1823 it was enacted that the body of a suicide should be buried privately between the hours of nine and twelve at night, with no religious ceremony. In 1882 this law was altered by the Internments (felo de se) Act, 1882. where every penalty was removed except that internment could not be solemnised by a burial service, and the body may now be committed to the earth at any time, and with such rites or prayers as those in charge of the funeral think fit or may be able to procure.

Stan

[barmaid1971]

I found that confusing too when I first heard the term 25 odd years ago.  I formed the conclusion that my family were either paupers or devil worshipers.  However, they were neither.  They were ardent Congregationalists and seemingly quite well to do.

However, I've yet to work out why an earlier ancestor was buried in "Uncon" when he was clearly Anglican church.

[panic]

As has been said, the unconsecrated ground was for non-conformists, i.e. non-anglicans, but if you were buried in the unconsecrated section does not mean you weren't anglican! There are cases where an Anglican burial occurred in the unconsecrated section due to space, or which graves were open.

Municipal cemeteries, such as Beckett Street in Leeds, had a consecrated and unconsecrated section. In Beckett Street (originally called Leeds Township Cemetery and also Burmantofts Cemetery) each had their own entrance and chapel.

[cathaldus]

There  is of course also (certainly in the RC Church) where people who committed suicide were not buried in consecrated ground.  Sad 'innit!

Bill

[Blue70]

Our nearest council cemetery is now interdenominational due to decreasing space. There are old CE and GEN Non-Conformist sections (and perhaps RC too but I don't know about those) that have had rows added to the exterior of the sections where people of all religions are now buried.


Blue