live burial

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 or intentionally. The victim may accidentally be buried by others in the mistaken assumption that they are dead. Intentional burial may occur as a form of torture, murder, or execution; it may also occur with consent of the victim as a part of a stunt (with the intention to escape). Fear of being buried alive is reported to be among the most common phobias.

"Premature Burial" redirects here. For the article about being buried alive, see premature burial.

For the film, see The Premature Burial (film).

"The Premature Burial" is a horror short story on the theme of being buried alive, written by Edgar Allan Poe, (1809-1849), and published in 1844 in The Philadelphia Dollar Newspaper. Fear of being buried alive was common in this period and Poe was taking advantage of the public interest. The story has been adapted to a film.