As the end of the day approached, and Jesus gave up the ghost, the matter of burial became pressing for two reasons. First, the body could not remain on the cross on the Shabbat (Sabbath, which is Saturday). Second, the body of one condemned could not remain hanging overnight (Deut 21:22-23).
To hasten death so that the imminent Sabbath day would not be violated, the Jews asked Pilate to break their legs (John 19:31). The Passover lamb was to have none of its bones broken (Numbers 9:12). Let this serve as a prophecy of Jesus as the Lamb of God, for when the Romans came to break his legs, they found he had already died, so they did not break his legs (John 19:33).
To certify His death, one of the soldiers pierced His side. Again, fulfilling prophecy, "And he is pierced for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, The chastisement of our peace is on him, and by his bruise there is healing to us." (Isaiah 53:5 YL T) and "they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son." (Zech 12:10)
Time was an element in regards to burying Jesus. Joseph of Arimathea requested the body of Pilate for burial. He was helped by Nicodemus, who brought a hundred pound weight of myrrh and aloes. Together they wound Jesus in linen with the spices and placed him in the garden tomb in part, because it was nearby and because the evening had already come (Mark 15:42, John 19:39-42).