RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: Tickettyboo on Friday 09 October 20 16:04 BST (UK)
-
Sometimes people get confused by the terms 'consecrated' and 'unconsecrated' sections of cemeteries and they sometimes assume that 'buried in an unconsecrated section' equates to their ancestor having taken their own lives - which is highly unlikely to have been the case.
I was looking at the Newcastle upon Tyne Cemeteries dept. site and saw the simplest explanation I have seen.
(paraphrased to pick out the main points and avoid infringing copyright )
When most cemeteries were opened, certain parts were formally blessed by representatives of the Church of England, and this consecrated the ground prior to any burials.
In recognition of the fact that people from other religious denominations would also wish to be buried in the cemeteries, some areas were left unconsecrated by the Church of England.
When a burial takes place in an unconsecrated part of the cemetery, the minister representing the religious belief of the deceased conducts a service at the graveside, thereby blessing that individual grave at the time of burial.
I know there are cases where the deceased had no religious belief at all, so a minister would not be involved and the grave would not be blessed which would be in accordance with the deceased's beliefs/wishes.
Boo
-
How very logical. Well explained. thank you.
-
Unfortunately, it all sounds very illogical to me! Exactly how did the person doing the blessing define the area which he (I assume it was a “he” in those days) was blessing and how did he stop that blessing from spilling out onto the areas he was not intending to bless?
I assume those prepared to be buried in the uncosecrated ground wouldn’t have been bothered (or words to that effect!).
-
What is the benefit of being buried in 'consecrated' ground?
-
What is the benefit of being buried in 'consecrated' ground?
I suppose that would depend on the individual beliefs and wishes of the deceased.
Boo
-
Unfortunately, it all sounds very illogical to me! Exactly how did the person doing the blessing define the area which he (I assume it was a “he” in those days) was blessing and how did he stop that blessing from spilling out onto the areas he was not intending to bless?
I assume those prepared to be buried in the uncosecrated ground wouldn’t have been bothered (or words to that effect!).
My post was intended to show the difference between the terms consecrated and unconsecrated in relation to cemetery sections. The explanation of 'that' seemed (at least to me) perfectly logical.
Boo
-
I fully accept that but it also highlights the illogicality of such processes.
-
Thank you Boo, very useful We often have enquiries on Rootschat about the difference between 'Consecrated and 'Unconsecrated' sections.
-
Thank you Boo, very useful We often have enquiries on Rootschat about the difference between 'Consecrated and 'Unconsecrated' sections.
Thanks for posting Boo that is very useful.
Agree with JenB that RootsChat have had lots of threads over the years asking that same question.
Just for interest here are a couple of examples - probably loads more.
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=493821.0
https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=490979.0
Sandra
-
Many thanks Boo. I have looked at this before and what I have found in the past wasn't very clear in the explanations.
-
Unfortunately, it all sounds very illogical to me! Exactly how did the person doing the blessing define the area which he (I assume it was a “he” in those days) was blessing and how did he stop that blessing from spilling out onto the areas he was not intending to bless?
I assume those prepared to be buried in the uncosecrated ground wouldn’t have been bothered (or words to that effect!).
When ground is consecrated as well as blessing the ground or indeed the church building the vicar, or priest walks round it sprinkling holy water on the ground or floor it is this that defines the area consecrated.
With Catholic funerals the priest also sprinkles holy water on the coffin at the time of the Requiem Mass.
Cheers
Guy