Why Do We Bury People Six Feet Deep?

Where does the “six feet deep” standard actually come from?

It’s commonly traced to 17th-century England, during outbreaks of plague, when officials recommended burying the dead at this depth specifically as a public health measure - intended to reduce the spread of disease and prevent animals from digging up and disturbing graves.

Is six feet actually how deep graves are dug today?

Not typically, no - most modern burials are shallower than the popular phrase suggests, often around four feet to the top of a burial vault, with the specific required depth set by state law or individual cemetery regulation rather than a strictly enforced six-foot standard everywhere.

Why does the depth vary by location?

State and local regulations differ, and some cemeteries have their own specific depth requirements, often based on factors like soil composition, whether a burial vault is used, and practical considerations like protecting the grave from erosion or accidental disturbance.

Does using a burial vault affect the required depth?

Yes, in some cases - a sealed vault or grave liner can affect what depth a cemetery considers adequate, since the vault itself provides additional protection against ground settling and disturbance beyond what depth alone would provide. See our guide on how cemeteries work for how vaults fit into standard burial practice.

Is there a genuine practical reason for burying below a certain depth, beyond tradition?

Yes - burial depth genuinely matters for public health and practical reasons: sufficient depth helps contain any decomposition-related odors, discourages animals from disturbing a grave, and provides structural stability so the ground doesn’t easily shift or collapse over the burial site.

Does the six-foot phrase still have cultural meaning even if it’s not literally accurate?

Yes - “six feet under” has become a widely understood cultural shorthand for burial and death generally, regardless of the actual technical depth used in modern cemeteries, similar to how many idioms persist long after their literal origin becomes historical rather than current practice.

Does cremation avoid this consideration entirely?

Largely, yes - cremated remains buried in a cemetery are typically placed at a much shallower depth than a full body, since there’s no equivalent public health or structural concern requiring the same depth. See our guide on what happens to a casket underground for more on how burial depth and decomposition relate more broadly.

Specific burial depth requirements vary by state and cemetery - a specific cemetery can confirm the exact standard that applies to a particular burial.