Murderer/Suicide - Christian Burial

[The_Wizard]

I am asking this of all Christians. Is it proper to have a “Church funeral” for a person who committed murders and then committed suicide? I ask because I just read where there will be a funeral in a church for a mother who killed her three childern and then committed suicide. I can see the funeral for the children but the mother should be thrown in the ground without a “Christian Burial”. What are your thoughts?

 

[grasscutter]

I’m not sure, but I would think that anyone who kills their three children and themselves must be suffering from a mental illness. As far as I understand, that person would then not be responsible for their actions.

 

[Publisher]

Funerals and memorial services are for the living…not for the dead.

I see no reason why the “parting prayers” could not be spoken over a suicide of a murderer…the family and friends in such a case would need them as much as anyone else.

The departed is now in God’s Hands…He and He alone is their Judge. Only He knows the pain and desparation they must have been in to turn away from the Light.

 

[Hiskid1973]

I’m not sure, but I would think that anyone who kills their three children and themselves must be suffering from a mental illness. As far as I understand, that person would then not be responsible for their actions.

Same here…Only the Lord knows what they faced…

 

[1ke]

I am asking this of all Christians. Is it proper to have a “Church funeral” for a person who committed murders and then committed suicide? I ask because I just read where there will be a funeral in a church for a mother who killed her three childern and then committed suicide. I can see the funeral for the children but the mother should be thrown in the ground without a “Christian Burial”. What are your thoughts?

Catholic canon law:
*Can. 1184 §1. Unless they gave some signs of repentance before death, the following must be deprived of ecclesiastical funerals:

1/ notorious apostates, heretics, and schismatics;

2/ those who chose the cremation of their bodies for reasons contrary to Christian faith;

3/ other manifest sinners who cannot be granted ecclesiastical funerals without public scandal of the faithful.

§2. If any doubt occurs, the local ordinary is to be consulted, and his judgment must be followed.

Can. 1185 Any funeral Mass must also be denied a person who is excluded from ecclesiastical funerals.*

It would be up to the bishop, see #3 above. I don’t believe, in general, such a person would be considered a “manifest sinner” so much as a very troubled and mentally ill soul.

But, specific cases would need to be reviewed by the bishop.

 

[Victorious]

Funerals and memorial services are for the living…not for the dead.

I see no reason why the “parting prayers” could not be spoken over a suicide of a murderer…the family and friends in such a case would need them as much as anyone else.

The departed is now in God’s Hands…He and He alone is their Judge. Only He knows the pain and desparation they must have been in to turn away from the Light.

From the point of view of the Catholic Church, the first sentence is false. The funeral is for the dead, to pray for his soul. (It is possible and even praiseworthy to pray for the soul of the dead, even without a Catholic funeral.) The last paragraph is true: only God knows the eternal fate of the suicide, and the extent to which the suicide is blameworthy.

As far as the second paragraph goes, the reason why, ceteris paribus, a Catholic funeral/burial would not be given to a suicide is because suicide is objectively gravely sinful, and there is a need to avoid giving scandal. The Church must not be seen to countenance grave sin. This prohibition may be set aside in particular cases (e.g., if it is well known that the deceased was mentally ill and therefore was probably lacking in free will, the scandal factor may be greatly diminished or non-existent).

 

[M_Rose]

Who decides if a murderer should get a Catholic funeral? Our daughter’s murderer had a large lavish funeral after the murder/suicide. Both families go to the same church and his family booked the church first so we had to arrange all of our services around his family. We also had a rememberance mass today and again he had one at the same day. I know we need to forgive but I think the church is asking too much of me (the mother) to have to so openly forgive him. We want to voice the pain this is causing our family, but don’t know what’s right.

 

[benidict]

The only reason I could see a mother doing something this dark, would be because of mental illness. I dont believe she could be held responsible in this case. Its a Tragic circumstance all around. I would personally pray for such a persons soul. I believe Christian compassion would rule here. Peace

 

[Sufjon]

From the point of view of the Catholic Church, the first sentence is false. The funeral is for the dead, to pray for his soul. (It is possible and even praiseworthy to pray for the soul of the dead, even without a Catholic funeral.) The last paragraph is true: only God knows the eternal fate of the suicide, and the extent to which the suicide is blameworthy.

As far as the second paragraph goes, the reason why, ceteris paribus, a Catholic funeral/burial would not be given to a suicide is because suicide is objectively gravely sinful, and there is a need to avoid giving scandal. The Church must not be seen to countenance grave sin. This prohibition may be set aside in particular cases (e.g., if it is well known that the deceased was mentally ill and therefore was probably lacking in free will, the scandal factor may be greatly diminished or non-existent).

Well that’s…that’s just…that’s…well that’s…

so very proper.

Your friend
Sufjon