Burials of suicide victims

[artifis]

Apologies if this has been raised before but in the early 1800s was the CofE policy to not allow the burial of a person in consecrated ground if they'd committed suicide?

I do know from my researches that one of my ancestors who committed suicide in this period was buried in consecrated ground but another wasn't.

Thanks.

[Vance Mead]

The Burial of Suicides Act 1823 removed the ban on burial in consecrated ground.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burial_of_Suicides_Act_1823

Before that, in cases where there was any doubt, an apparent suicide might be
ruled accidental death.

[artifis]

Thanks for your prompt reply, that may explain why an ancestor is missing from parish burial records.

[RJ_Paton]

The situation was a bit more complicated.

Persons who took their own life while deemed to be of sound mind were still excluded from burial in Church ground and this did not change until 1882 with the passing of the Interments (felo de se) Act 1882. This Act also removed the time prescriptions on when burials of Suicide vicitms could be carried out.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interments_(felo_de_se)_Act_1882

[artifis]

Wonder what the situation was if the person was deemed not to be of sound mind?  Perhaps they were considered ill like a physical illness person and buried in Church ground?

[RJ_Paton]

Wonder what the situation was if the person was deemed not to be of sound mind?  Perhaps they were considered ill like a physical illness person and buried in Church ground?

The local priest had considerable sway regarding this and many turned a blind eye and accepted  "accidental death"
After 1823 a person who was not considered of sound mind when they took their life the 1823 Act became applicable and while they could be buried in consecrated ground they were denied a full Christian Burial service (Although there were changes introduced by legislation in the late 1800's when a limited burial service was allowed. In practice many Priests ignored this and provided a service which was little different to the standard service but for years this was the official CofE position until 2017).

Added: In England & Wales Suicide and Attempted Suicide were criminal Acts (This did not apply in Scotland but there survivors found themselves locked up under various pieces of Mental Health legislation)

[rebeccaclaire86]

I’ve found a burial of an ancestor who was noted to have committed suicide whilst of unsound mind and was buried in the churchyard in the 1700’s. I think a bit of compassion was probably exercised by the vicars.

[RJ_Paton]

I’ve found a burial of an ancestor who was noted to have committed suicide whilst of unsound mind and was buried in the churchyard in the 1700’s. I think a bit of compassion was probably exercised by the vicars.

It was basically at the discretion of the vicars/priests but the fact that it was felt necessary to introduce the 1823 and 1882 Acts and the various other changes would seem to infer that this wasn't universally done.

[melba_schmelba]

I’ve found a burial of an ancestor who was noted to have committed suicide whilst of unsound mind and was buried in the churchyard in the 1700’s. I think a bit of compassion was probably exercised by the vicars.

Well, I think if they were of unsound mind, it was seen as OK? From above. From most cases of suicide I have seen reported, it usually seems to have been judged that they were of 'unsound mind', so perhaps the instances were people were excluded from burial grounds were actually rare.