Nelly is afraid the curate will refuse to bury Heathcliff in the churchyard because...

Nelly is concerned that the curate may refuse to bury Heathcliff in the churchyard due to the circumstances surrounding Heathcliff's life and death. Heathcliff was often viewed with disdain by the other characters in "Wuthering Heights." He was a deeply troubled and vengeful character, often attributed with negative traits that led to his alienation from the community and those around him. The curate might have reservations about performing the burial rites for someone whose life was marked by bitterness and wrongdoing, particularly because the churchyard is a sacred space reserved for individuals who are deemed deserving of respect and honor in death.

Furthermore, Heathcliff's complex relationship with other characters, particularly his tumultuous love for Catherine Earnshaw, could play a role in the curate's potential refusal. The fear of social judgment and the moral implications of burying a person who has caused so much pain and suffering might influence the curate's decision. Nelly’s apprehension reflects the societal and moral dilemmas faced by the characters in this Gothic tale, bringing to light themes of love, revenge, and the quest for redemption.