Burial of Suicides Act 1823 explained

Short Title:Burial of Suicides Act 1823
Type:Act
Parliament:Parliament of the United Kingdom
Long Title:An Act to alter and amend the Law relating to the Interment of the Remains of any Person found Felo de se
Year:1823
Citation:4 Geo. 4. c. 52
Royal Assent:8 July 1823
Commencement:8 July 1823
Repeal Date:1882
Status:repealed

The Burial of Suicides Act 1823 (full title - An Act to alter and amend the Law relating to the Interment of the Remains of any Person found Felo de se) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom granted royal assent on 8 July that year and coming into effect on that date.[1] It removed the ban on burial of suicides in consecrated ground and banned the previous practices of burying them on highways and with a stake through the body. It stipulated that such burials had to occur between 9 pm and midnight within 24 hours of the conclusion of the coroner's inquest on the body and only allowed the use of the burial service if the body was in a churchyard or burial yard, without a stake and within those timings.[2]

References

  1. Web site: Public General Act, 4 George IV, c. 52. National Archives.
  2. Book: Richard Burn. The Ecclesiastical Law. 1. 1842. London and Dublin. 266–267.