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Burials in unconsecrated ground

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Kathryn

Kathryn Report 22 Jul 2009 21:58

My mother-in-law told me that her grandfather was buried in unconsecrated ground in a cemetery in Lancaster in the 1920s, I think. I was wondering why someone would be buried in unconsecrated ground at that time, when people were generally more religious than they are now. Any ideas would be a help.

Kathryn Threlfall

Jackie

Jackie Report 22 Jul 2009 22:11

I was told that if someone took their own life that they were buried in unconsecreated ground. Dont know if this the case but someone will be sure to correct me if its not. Think that is why a lot of verdicts are suicide while the balance of the mind was disturbed.
Jackie

Janice

Janice Report 22 Jul 2009 22:20

He could have been a non-conformist.

Joy

Joy Report 22 Jul 2009 22:21

Sometimes there is no rhyme nor reason to it; my ancestor was buried in consecrated ground, but his wife was not :-)

maggiewinchester

maggiewinchester Report 22 Jul 2009 22:55

If they were a different religion to the church their funeral as held, they'd be buried in unconsecrated ground.
Why not get buried in a place of your religion you may ask?
A Jew living/dying in a small village would find it hard to find a local synagogue - and it could be expensive to get the body to the nearest one!

Researching:
Henry Floyd (g x 4 grandad)

Berona

Berona Report 22 Jul 2009 23:14

My understanding is that in past times, the clergy would refuse to officiate at the funeral of a suicide and the burial took place in unconsecrated ground. Also, if a person was hanged, they were taken down and duried in the grounds of the gaol without ceremony.

Joan's explanation sounds very reasonable also - so there could be a number of reasons why your ancestor was buried where he was.

Some of you might remember that when John Christy admitted to the murder of Timothy Evans' wife and child, (for which Evans was hanged), the body of Evans was exhumed from the gaol grounds and given a Christian burial. A bit late for him - but it gave his family some satisfaction. That was in the 1950's.

SpanishEyes

SpanishEyes Report 23 Jul 2009 06:07

I have a half brother born 1943 and because he was not christened at the time of his death, he was 4 hours old, he was not allowed to be buried in consecrated ground although he was allowed to be placed in an unmarked grave.
With help from the current warden we found the records and are currentky trying to have a small plaque put at the spot.....this has been going on for 2 years!

Not sure what happens these days.


Bridget

Researching:
Wrenn, Ford, and many others!