Premature burial

"Buried alive" redirects here. For the short story, see The Premature Burial. For the film, see The Premature Burial (film). For other uses, see Buried Alive.
Antoine Wiertz's painting of a man buried alive

Premature burial, also known as live burial, burial alive, or vivisepulture, means to be buried while still alive.

Animals or humans may be buried alive accidentally on the mistaken assumption that they are dead, or intentionally as a form of torture, murder, or execution. It may also occur with the consent of the victim as a part of a stunt, with the intention to escape.

Taphophobia, the fear of being buried alive, is reported to be among the most common phobias.[1]

  1. ^ Bondeson (2002)