Catholics and Suicide

[Sisyphus_Stone]

In discussions with another Catholic who is much older than I, she maintains that the Catholic church still will refuse burial of someone who commits suicide in consecrated ground and, more spooky, insists that, if a Catholic ceremony of burial is conducted, insists that the body be placed face-down in the coffin.

This sounds so archaic that it appears to be pre-Vatican II. With all the other means of disposing of the body (cremation, burial-at-sea, donation of organs etc) how would this have any meaning whatsoever? Face-down? In unholy ground? Meaningless!

Is she correct in her assertions?

[Brutus]

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

Further, Christian burial is to be refused to suicides (this prohibition is as old as the fourth century; cf. Cassian in P.L., XL, 573) except in case that the act was committed when they were of unsound mind or unless they showed signs of repentance before death occurred.

But nothing about being buried ‘face down’ or anything like that.

Also, when it comes to determining if a person should or should not be granted a Christian burial:

In all such cases, however, the general practice of the Church at the present day has been to interpret these prohibitions as mildly as possible.

[Otto]

The face-down in the coffin bit is because of the folk belief that suicides (and in some instances, those who died of other causes, such as plague) would return as vampires. By placing the body face down in the coffin, a vampire digging out of its coffin would dig deeper into the ground rather than up and toward freedom. I’m unaware that it was ever an official part of Catholic dogma.

[C_K_Dexter_Haven]

My understanding is that the Catholic Church in practice uses the bit about “of unsound mind” to provide the way out. Thus, they say that the person committing suicide was “of unsound mind” at the time, and so don’t cause more grief to the family by refusing burial.

[JRDelirious]

@Brutus

From the Catholic Encyclopedia:

Just to add the usual and customary reminder: the CE is a document from 1909, it’s very good for reference purposes but on matters of actual canon law there may have been amendments since then.

However, the face-down burial seems to be just folk tradition and not an actual Church law. Now, being a catholic church, the priesthood has been known to not be above accommodating local folk practice for the sake of keeping the social peace.

As to the current RCC Catechism teaching:

2281 Suicide contradicts the natural inclination of the human being to preserve and perpetuate his life. It is gravely contrary to the just love of self. It likewise offends love of neighbor because it unjustly breaks the ties of solidarity with family, nation, and other human societies to which we continue to have obligations. Suicide is contrary to love for the living God.

**2282 If suicide is committed with the intention of setting an example, especially to the young, it also takes on the gravity of scandal. Voluntary co-operation in suicide is contrary to the moral law.

Grave psychological disturbances, anguish, or grave fear of hardship, suffering, or torture can diminish the responsibility of the one committing suicide. **

2283 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.

(bolding mine) Notice that the attenuating circumstances have been extended to include “grave fear of hardship, suffering or torture”, but that trying to encourage imitation is an aggravating circumstance.

[moriah]

[QUOTE=Sisyphus’ Stone]
In discussions with another Catholic who is much older than I, she maintains that the Catholic church still will refuse burial of someone who commits suicide in consecrated ground and, more spooky, insists that, if a Catholic ceremony of burial is conducted, insists that the body be placed face-down in the coffin.

[QUOTE]

Just because someone says they are Catholic, doesn’t mean they are. They can belong to break-away schismatic throwback ‘Catholic’ groups. Also, don’t assume that any particular Catholic is well-informed of their own religion, or in the case of this particular person, sane.

It’s been decades since the ban of funeral Masses for those who’ve committed suicide has been lifted.

The face down part was never, ever part of Catholic practice and just goes toward the argument of insanity on the part of the person in question.

Peace.

[Quartz]

A Catholic friend of mine, whom I’d known since she was a toddler, killed herself and was buried in the church graveyard.

R.I.P.