Genealogy Chat

Does anybody have the official version of what unconsecrated ground means? I have asked a few people who I thought would know but they all come up with different ideas.

I thought it was land that hadn't been blessed! update, people were bueried in unconsecrated grounds if they commited a crime, such a suicide or murder etc, it denied them a place in paradise and was/is used as a threat against going against the bibles teachings

The major reasons why a person would be denied burial in consecrated ground would be unbaptized, excommunication or unrepentent mortal sin. The last 2 is more of a standard of the Catholic Church. As far as I know, Protestants do not make a distinction of mortal vs venial sin or excommunicate. Rose

Found this on Google:- 11. Land becomes consecrated when the bishop of a diocese signs a document, called a sentence, by which he separates and sets apart an area of land and dedicates the land to the service of Almighty God. The effect of this sentence where the land is to be used for the interment of the remains of the dead, whether the land consists of churchyard around a church or an identified area of land in a cemetery, is to set apart the land as being held for sacred uses and to bring it within the jurisdiction of the Consistory Court. 12. Unconsecrated burial land is not set apart as sacred and is not usually within the jurisdiction of the Consistory Court. There is, therefore, a difference between the consecrated and the unconsecrated parts of local authority cemeteries. This does not mean that a local authority has different management responsibilities for the unconsecrated part of the cemetery as compared with the consecrated part. The management has to be carried out in accordance with the rules laid down under statute[2] for the whole cemetery. Kath. x

Copied this from a council website Consecrated or Unconsecrated Ground Consecrated ground has been blessed by the Bishop of the Church of England. There is no restriction on who may be buried on consecrated ground, but it is generally used by Church of England parishoners. Unconsecrated ground has not previously been blessed and is available to anyone. Graves can be blessed at the time of interment by the deceased's chosen minister of religion.

Whats the difference between mortal and venial sin? Lisa

before 1880 a burial in consecrated ground had to be performed by a C of E priest. There were people who priests wouldn't bury -- the unbaptised and some suicides. But there were also a lot of non-conformists who objected to having to call in the C of E. When Burial Boards were authorised to open cemeteries paid for by rates, they often left some ground unconsecrated so that non-conformists could have their burials done by their own minister. Nothing disreputable about it -- in fact the non-conformists tended to be middle-class and of course they included those who put up the money to build all their churches and chapels. After 1880 the distinction mostly disappeared, because you were allowed to bury in consecrated ground without the vicar, and also, you could have the vicar do a burial in unconsecrated ground if you liked.

Lisa mortal sin n. Christianity. A sin, such as murder or blasphemy, that is so heinous it deprives the soul of sanctifying grace and causes damnation if unpardoned at the time of death. venial sin n. Roman Catholic Church. An offense that is judged to be minor or committed without deliberate intent and thus does not estrange the soul from the grace of God. If you want to know more, just google! nell

The Church of England did indeed excommunicate people. I have seen a list in a Parish Register, round about 1780, of 15 women and one man who were all excommunicated for Adultery. Its not clear whether it was with each other, or 15 other people! Excommunication was a real and terrible punishment. No one from the Established Church was allowed to 'help, succour or communicate with the excommunicated'. Even their own families were not allowed to have them under their roof, nor speak to them. It was practically a sentence of death - they lost their homes, their jobs and the support of their families. And of course, they would burn in everlasting Hell. Horrible, eh? Olde Crone

Thank you everybody for replying.

When the new part of our local authority cemetery was opened in our parish, I was asked as the Vicar of the parish to dedicate & bless the ground for burials. Therefore, it isn't consecrated ground as only Bishops can consecrate it. However, the another C. of E. priest and I said prayers whilst walking around the whole C. of E. area sprinkling holy water. The great thing is that the cemetery also has areas for Roman Catholic, Chinese & Muslim burial areas and there were representatives from the Chinese community (who asked the R.C. priest for a blessing for their ground, and a man representing the Imam from the local Mosque and we ALL gathered in each others areas to say prayers. There was total respect for each other's faiths. Really positive! The local mayor and all the crem. staff were also there.

Linda That does my heart good, it really does! Olde Crone