Dead people?

Question

Why is it that they bury people 6 feet under?
Why not 7 or 10 or something?
Is 6 a 'sacred' number or something?
Seriously.....has anyone ever wondered that?

Thanx for the star. =]
Check back often and agree or add to other peoples comments...don't be horrid though.

Answer 1

I guess it is said that it started back in 1665, the year of the last bubonic outbreak during the Middle Ages, when waves of fatal plague swept Europe, and London, it was ordered that a corpse must be buried at least six feet deep, allegedly to protect the living from infectivity and so the practice continues today.

Answer 2

how did 6 feet become the standard depth of burying people............. it's all answered below......

.."Fans of the HBO series, and the rest of us, have the Great Plague of 1665 in London to thank for the expression "6 feet under." This tragic recurrence of the Bubonic Plague (which first decimated Europe in the 14th century) was the impetus for the law requiring dead bodies to be buried at least 6 feet below ground.
The comprehensive cemetery site, City of the Silent, addresses the matter on its page of frequently asked questions. English law once required a burial depth of 6 feet to ensure the corpse didn't spread the plague to the living. Of course, this measure was ineffective as fleas infected with the plague probably spread the disease. Also, few diseases are contracted from contact with dead bodies. The same..."

Answer 3

6 foot or 2 meters. It's a safe distance to avoid erosion and animals from digging it up. They don't use a ruler so sme will probably be 3 inches closer to the surface. They can bury a loved one years later in the same hole by digging about 5 feet down.

Answer 4

States set the law for the depth at which a coffin must be burried. The main reason is because of soil deterioration and the potential of topical lacerations.

Answer 5

that wasb ecause when you were buried 6 feet generally nothng would dig you up that far donw. remember we didn't have crips and stuff like that when the olden days were here it was wooden box and that is it. sometimes not being creamated either was a must back then.

Answer 6

Not sacred, but it was deemed a sufficient level to stop the spread of disease that killed people and they decay after death

Answer 7

I dont know. Maybe because the vault that the coffin goes in . . .no, that wouldn't be a reason. Good question.

Answer 8

Wow i didn't know that, but yeah i wonder why it's 6 ft...

Answer 9

I think its so animals don't dig it up.