Why was Lord Byron refused burial in Westminster Abbey after his death?

Following his death in 1824, Lord Byron was refused burial in Westminster Abbey due to the significant moral controversies that surrounded his life and reputation in England.1

During his lifetime, Byron became a notorious figure, famously described by a former lover as "mad, bad, and dangerous to know". His reputation was marred by widespread rumors of bisexuality and an alleged incestuous relationship with his half sister, Augusta Leigh. These scandals, combined with his unconventional lifestyle, heavy drinking, and the public collapse of his marriage, led to intense moral indignation against him.234

Following his death, his associates even burned his private memoirs to protect his reputation from further scandal. Ultimately, his body was returned to England and interred in the family vault near Newstead Abbey. It was not until 145 years after his death that a memorial to the poet was finally placed on the floor of Westminster Abbey.51