What was the purpose of Burial Clubs in 1800s London?

Burial Clubs in 1800s London were primarily established to afford funerals for the poor. During this period, there was a significant lack of financial resources for many individuals, particularly among the lower socioeconomic classes. These clubs functioned like mutual aid societies where members would contribute small amounts of money, which would be pooled together. When a member died, the collected funds would cover the costs associated with their funeral, ensuring that even those without substantial means could have a dignified burial. This was crucial during a time when funerals were often expensive, and social stigmas were attached to the poor being buried without proper rites.

In contrast, while social gatherings for the poor did occur through various means, the primary focus of Burial Clubs was not on social interaction but on the provision of funerals. Funding for religious ceremonies may have happened indirectly through the contributions made for funerals, but the clubs were not explicitly designed for that purpose. Organizing public burials was also not the main function of these clubs; rather, they were concerned with providing adequate support for individual members' funerals. Thus, the key objective of Burial Clubs was to ensure that their members could afford the expenses involved in a proper burial.