selfburial

Self-burial refers to the act of burying oneself, or arranging one’s own interment, either during life as a deliberate act or after death as part of a prearranged funeral. The term is rarely used in formal discourse, and documented instances are sparse. Most burial customs involve others interring the deceased; self-burial remains primarily as anecdote, ritual reference, or, in some cases, modern performance.

In historical and ethnographic records, self-burial as a lived act is uncommon and often uncertain; some accounts describe extreme ascetic practices or stunt performances, but these raise serious safety and ethical concerns and are typically controversial. In contemporary contexts, a few performers or protest groups have used burial demonstrations or temporary graves for artistic or symbolic effect; such actions are conducted under supervision and with consent to minimize risk.

Legal and ethical considerations are central to discussions of self-burial. Many jurisdictions treat any attempt to bury a living person as dangerous and illegal, with potential charges related to harm or endangerment, and emergency rescue or medical intervention may be required. If the reference is to pre-arranged burial after death, the matter falls under funeral and estate law, focusing on respecting cultural or personal wishes without endangering the living.

In literature and film, self-burial often serves as a metaphor for existential despair, martyrdom, or a dramatic assertion of control or rejection of social norms. As a real-world practice, it remains extremely rare, controversial, and ethically contentious. See also burial, interment, tomb, mausoleum, funeral law.