Hi, In the middle of the 19th century suicide was still considered a criminal act. In fact it didn't become illegal until 1961. Suicide was also considered by some to be an act of evil, and usually the deceased person had been driven by Satan to perform the act on themselves. Suicides were buried quickly and usually in unconsecrated ground. Quite often at a crossroads as it was believed that the crossroads would help diffuse the evil influence of the body in different directions, making it less harmful to the living. I couldn't find a reference to why the burial was done after midnight, but I think it was actually a law. The following reference from a book by Clare Gittings on Google books mentions the law: "........must have been one of the last carried out before the Act was passed allowing suicides to be buried in the churchyard between the hours of nine and twelve at night......." Some suicides were also buried within the churchyards, but in the northern corners where they also buried unbaptised infants etc. I think the speediness of the burial was probably a spiritual thing. They may have been scared of the body and thought it evil? I'm not sure. It's interesting though. Not much comes up on Google about it. Hope this helps. Cheers, Alison Baker, Sunny Melbourne, Australia. Researching on the IOW: ATTRILL, BOURNE, PAIN Peter & Angela McMurtry wrote: > Can anyone tell me why suicide victims had to be buried so quickly and after midnight? > >