Being buried alive
What would you say if you found out that fear of being buried alive was justified? Historically there were many taphophobes with legitimate concerns.
We’ve all seen movies and heard horror stories about being buried alive. They sound pretty fantastic — and not fantastic like, “Oh awesome. That’s so cool.” But in the sense that it seems impossible and crazy.
But what if I told you it wasn’t so crazy?
Historically there was actually quite a bit of fear around being buried alive — maybe not overwhelming amongst all people in all cultures, but there was definitely some worry about this happening. Why? Because it did happen.
Medicine has come a long way, as we know, and still, there are medical mistakes and mysteries. Long before people knew to feel for pulses or had machines that could show a person's heart rate or their breathing, practices were primarily based on speculation.
On that note
People were so worried about it, in fact, that many carried notes in their pockets asking that if they are found unconscious to wait a certain time frame before burying them to ensure they were really dead.
It’s even been reported that Chopin asked to be cut open after his death to make sure that he was actually dead when he was buried.
Let me out, let me out!
There were also these awesome contraptions called Taberger’s Safety Coffins that would allow a person who woke up in their grave to get the attention of people above ground.
Equipped with rope, a person could ring the bell if they woke up.
Ding, ding. I’m alive guys.
According to Dr. Fitzharris, in 1790, the Duke Ferdinand of Brunswick built the first safety coffin that had a window and tube to provide sunlight and fresh air. The lid of the coffin had a lock and 2 keys that were sewn into pockets in the coffin’s fabric.
Zombies…nuff said
There are also the accounts by Wade Davis, an anthropologist who wrote a book called The Serpent and the Rainbow (Shout out to Auntie Seta who lent it to me to read many years ago!) referring to zombies. No, not zombies as we know them from movies, but actual zombies.
“This woman is nuts, she thinks there are zombies.” — Your thoughts
For real though. In Haiti, Wade Davis researched how people were made into “zombies” with some herbal mixtures, that slowed their breathing and heart rates down to the point of being untraceable.
They would then be pronounced dead and buried ALIVE. Shortly after their burial, they would be dug back up, and over some time, their functions would return to normal but they would be held captive and forced into physical labour.
I’m really summarizing here, but it’s an amazing book and you should read it for yourself.
Are you taphophobic?
Taphophobia is the fear of being buried alive. I can’t say I think about it much personally, but I kind of get where the fear would have come from.
Would love to hear your thoughts on taphophobia or the other safety coffins you’ve read about. Really, anything on the topic of being buried ALIVE!
This blog is written out of the l❤️ve of History and sharing knowledge!
Sona Kerim is a Copywriter and Educator who has degrees in History, Philosophy, and Education.
