Burial Customs Part II

[Clanad]

Contd.
"1659. Aug. 30. Humphrey Dakin, buried about 2 of the clock in the
night, fearing an arrest."

This one, from Alstonfield, Staffordhire parish register, records this
unusual hour of burial since it was feared that the creditors of Dakin
would seize his corpse and prevent his burial until their debts had been
paid. There was no legal basis for this process but the practice was
common.

August 1-1680. Anne Harrison of Elwick in the parish of Hart was
buried in the parish churchyard of Hart.
August ye 8th 1680 Mary Harrison and Elizabeth Harrison of Elwick did
duly make before ye worshipfull John Huthorpe Mayor of Hartlepool that
the corpse of Ann Harison was at ye time of burial neither wound nor
wrapt in any other material but in sheepes wool only According to a late
Act of parliament

This entry from Hart in the county of Durham reflects the 1678 an act
passed making it compulsory for all corpses to be buried in a shroud
made of wool only. This was to encourage the wool trade. An affidavit
was to be made and recorded that this had been carried out. This was not
a popular law since the poor could ill afford the shroud. Some corpses
were buried wrapped in hay or sweet flowers which was felt an acceptable
way for the poor to get around the act.

Coffins incidentally were not used for burials until after 1797 by any
other than the rich. The corpse would be transported to the graveside in
a parish coffin and removed from it at the grave.