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The Common Room / Re: Burials of suicide victims
« on: Wednesday 25 September 24 17:48 BST (UK) »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)