Rachel Evans
Historically, the Catholic Church would not conduct funeral services for people who had died by suicide, and they could not be buried in a Catholic cemetery. This was because suicide was considered a grave offence against life and a mortal sin. However, in recent times, the Church has adopted a more compassionate stance. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, approved by Pope John Paul II in the 1990s, acknowledges the role that mental illness may play in suicide, and today, the Church no longer places restrictions on the funeral and burial of those who have died by suicide. Canon law no longer mentions suicide as an impediment to funeral rites or burial. Instead, the Church teaches that we should not despair for those who have taken their own lives and that God can provide opportunities for repentance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Catholic funeral rites for suicides | No longer forbidden by the Church |
| Catholic burial rites for suicides | No longer forbidden by the Church |
| The Church's stance on suicides | The Church no longer believes that people who commit suicide are likely to have committed a mortal sin |
| Reasoning | Progress in medical science and pastoral care has shown that most people who commit suicide suffer from some form of depression or mental illness |
| Exceptions | If there is clear evidence that the suicide was a conscious act against life, pastors are instructed to deny the person a Catholic funeral |
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What You'll Learn
The Catholic Church's historical stance on funerals for suicides
The Catholic Church has historically opposed suicide, considering it a mortal sin and a grave offence against life. This stance has been reflected in the Church's refusal to conduct funeral services for those who have died by suicide, with some suicides even being buried in "rogue pits" outside of consecrated land. This ban on funeral rites was also supported by secular rulers, who imposed additional punishments such as property forfeiture for those who attempted or committed suicide.
The prohibition on funerals for suicides was maintained in the 1917 Code of Canon Law, which listed those who were to be denied Catholic funerals unless they showed signs of penance before death. However, the instructions of the Roman Inquisition stated that in cases of doubt, a Catholic funeral should be granted, even if it lacked solemn ceremonies.
In the 20th century, the Catholic Church began to attribute suicide to mental illness and lifted the ban on funerals for suicide victims. This change was influenced by broader cultural shifts in attitudes towards suicide and a growing understanding of mental health. The Church now acknowledges that individuals who commit suicide may not be fully capable of making such a decision freely due to mental health issues.
In the 1990s, Pope John Paul II approved the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which explicitly recognised the role of mental illness in suicide. The Catechism states that grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or fear can diminish the responsibility of those who take their own lives. Today, the Church has a more compassionate approach towards victims of suicide, and pastors are instructed to provide comfort to the families of those who have died by suicide.
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Canon law and funerals for suicides
Historically, the Catholic Church did not conduct funeral services for those who had died by suicide, and they could not be buried in a Catholic cemetery. Suicide was considered a grave offence against life and a mortal sin, and having a Catholic funeral and burial in a Catholic cemetery would be a contradiction and a cause for scandal. However, in modern times, the Church has become more compassionate towards victims of suicide, recognising that mental illness and other psychological factors often play a significant role in suicide.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, approved by Pope John Paul II in the 1990s, acknowledges that "grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide". As a result, the Church no longer denies funeral rites or burial to Catholics who have died by suicide. Pastors are instructed to provide comfort to the families of those who have died by suicide and to not deny them the full benefits of a Catholic funeral, unless there is clear evidence that the suicide was a conscious act against life.
Canon law no longer specifically mentions suicide as an impediment to funeral rites or burial. Canon 1184 outlines three cases in which a Church funeral is prohibited: a notorious apostate, heretic, or schismatic; those who requested cremation for motives contrary to the Christian faith; and manifest sinners who have not shown signs of repentance before death. While a particular case of suicide may fall into the third category, especially if it follows another grave crime, the majority of suicides are understood to be the result of psychological factors that impede free will.
The Church now teaches that we should not despair for those who have died by suicide but instead pray for them. God can grant them forgiveness, and they may seek repentance. The Fifth Commandment forbids all forms of murder, but the Church leaves the judgment of those who commit suicide to God's mercy.
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The Catechism of the Catholic Church's teachings on suicide
Suicide is considered a grave sin in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which teaches that everyone is responsible for their life before God, who is the "sovereign Master of life". God gives us life, and we are obliged to preserve and perpetuate it out of love for Him. Suicide contradicts this natural inclination to preserve life and is thus considered a rejection of God's sovereignty.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that:
> "We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of" (No. 2280).
The Church acknowledges that suicide is often caused by grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture, which can diminish the responsibility of the person committing suicide. In such cases, the Church teaches that we should not despair of the person's eternal salvation, as God can provide the opportunity for repentance.
> "The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives" (No. 2283).
However, the Church also teaches that suicide is not just a rejection of God's love but also a denial of love for oneself and one's neighbours. As Catholic philosopher Josef Pieper argued, each person has obligations to their family, friends, neighbours, and society as a whole. Suicide unjustly breaks these ties of solidarity.
> "Suicide is contrary to love for the living God" (No. 2281).
The Church also warns against considering suicide as something noble or admirable, as this can set a dangerous example for others, especially the young.
> "If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary cooperation in suicide is contrary to the moral law" (No. 2282).
In the past, the Catholic Church often denied funeral rites and burial in Church cemeteries to those who had died by suicide. This was done to discourage others from taking their own lives. However, the Church's understanding of suicide has evolved, and it now acknowledges the role that mental illness plays in suicide. Canon law no longer specifically mentions suicide as an impediment to funeral rites, and the Church no longer forbids funeral rites or burial for Catholics who have died by suicide.
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The role of mental illness in the Church's evolving stance
Suicide has long been considered a grave offense by the Catholic Church, constituting a mortal sin. The Catechism of the Catholic Church states, "It is God who remains the sovereign master of life... We are stewards, not owners, of the life God has entrusted to us. It is not ours to dispose of." Suicide was thus understood as an act against the will of God and a violation of the Fifth Commandment.
Historically, the Catholic Church refused funeral rites and burial in consecrated ground for those who died by suicide, as a means to discourage others from taking their own lives. This practice was maintained by the Council of Trent in the 16th century and continued into the 20th century. However, the Church's stance has evolved over time, and it now acknowledges the role that mental illness and psychological factors play in suicide. This shift can be traced back to the 1990s, when Pope John Paul II approved the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which recognized the impact of mental illness on an individual's culpability for suicide.
The Catechism states, "Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide." This change in perspective reflects the Church's adoption of a more nuanced approach, acknowledging that most people who die by suicide suffer from mental health issues and may not have been capable of making a clear, rational decision. As a result, the Church no longer denies funeral rites or burial to Catholics who have died by suicide, instead leaving judgment to God's mercy and praying for the salvation of those individuals.
In summary, the Catholic Church's evolving stance on suicide now incorporates a deeper understanding of mental illness and its impact on an individual's decision-making capacity. While suicide is still considered a grave matter, the Church recognizes that mental illness often plays a significant role, and its pastoral judgment takes into account mitigating circumstances. This shift reflects the Church's compassion for suicide victims and their families, while also maintaining the seriousness of the act of suicide.
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Pastoral guidelines for ministering to people requesting assisted suicide
The Catholic Church's view on suicide has evolved over the years. In the past, the Church would not conduct funeral services for those who died by suicide, and they could not be buried in a Catholic cemetery. However, the Church now acknowledges the role that mental illnesses may play in suicide, and shows much more compassion to victims of suicide. The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches:
> We should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. By ways known to him alone, God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance. The Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.
The Church's modern understanding of suicide is reflected in pastoral guidelines for ministering to people requesting assisted suicide. Many dioceses have established such guidelines, which aim to affirm the dignity of life and provide practical ways to give quality palliative services to those suffering.
- Seek to connect the person to a support network of mature, caring believers who can help watch, care for, and encourage them.
- Take the person's threats seriously and don't assume they are merely cries for help. Ask the person to agree that they will not harm themselves, and that they will contact you or a specified individual if they feel suicidal.
- Amplify your normal attending and relational skills, showing the person special care amid the stressors tempting them toward suicide.
- Help the person understand that their dignity lies not in their independence or appearance, but in the fact that they are a child of God, and that being cared for is an opportunity to love and be loved.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Church no longer forbids funeral rites or burial to Catholics who have committed suicide. However, if a person has chosen euthanasia, a Catholic funeral and burial in a Catholic cemetery would be denied.
The Church previously believed that suicide is a grave offence against life and a mortal sin. However, with advancements in medical science and pastoral care, it is now understood that most people who choose suicide suffer from some form of mental illness, and therefore may not be fully responsible for their actions.
The Catechism teaches that we should not despair of the eternal salvation of persons who have taken their own lives. God can provide the opportunity for salutary repentance, and the Church prays for persons who have taken their own lives.
Some Catholics used to believe that a person who commits suicide would go straight to hell. However, the Church now teaches that we should not despair for those who have taken their own lives, and that God can grant them forgiveness.
