Tell me more ×
Genealogy & Family History Stack Exchange is a question and answer site for expert genealogists and people interested in genealogy or family history. It's 100% free, no registration required.
up vote 13 down vote favorite

3 related family members were buried (Church of England, deaths from 1913-1926) at Bell, Queensland cemetery facing westward. They are the only 3 doing so. What may have been the reason/cause for this change to protocol?

share|improve this question

1 Answer

up vote 10 down vote

Without knowing anything more about your relatives, Wikipedia has the following (unattributed, unverified) details about burial orientation:

Historically, Christian burials were made supine east-west, with the head at the western end of the grave. This mirrors the layout of Christian churches, and for much the same reason; to view the coming of Christ on Judgment day (Eschaton). In many Christian traditions, ordained clergy are traditionally buried in the opposite orientation, and their coffins carried likewise, so that at the General Resurrection they may rise facing, and ready to minister to, their people.

In Islam, the grave should be aligned perpendicular to the Qibla (i.e. Mecca).

Based on that commentary alone, perhaps they were members of clergy?

share|improve this answer
2  
If the dead in Bell are at all like their laconic living descendants, they might observe that "The Parson is usually the last to know about anything important - even the Second Coming." – Fortiter Jan 5 at 6:27

Your Answer

 
discard

By posting your answer, you agree to the privacy policy and terms of service.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.