A grave is where a body is laid to rest, marked by a stone with the name and date of death of the deceased. But have you ever wondered why graves are dug six feet below the surface?
Back in 1665, during the plague outbreak in London, the Lord Mayor issued orders for all graves to be dug six feet deep.
These orders were part of a comprehensive set of instructions aimed at preventing the spread of the plague.
The exact reason for the six-foot burial rule isn’t entirely clear, but it was likely based on the belief that burying bodies deeper would help contain the spread of disease. By burying bodies deeper underground, it was thought that they would be less likely to contaminate the soil and water sources.
While the six-foot burial rule may have originated during the plague outbreak, it has since become a common practice in many parts of the world, even in times of relative health and safety. So, the next time you see a grave, remember the history behind why it’s dug six feet deep.
