Is it true....?

Question

that some religions refuse to bury a person who commits suicide in their graveyards?

((((Kallan))))

((((Yogini))))

Answer 1

I've posted this before, but this is my favorite piece of non-fiction writing ever. It's journalism at it's finest and a great exploration of the complex attitudes (some religiosu) about suicide.

This 2003 piece from Esquire Magazine is called "The Falling Man". It deals with complex notions of suicide and the people who jumped from the WTC on 9/11. Tom Junod tries to indentify a man pictured jumping that fatefull day and encounters a variety of attitudes about the jumpers of that day.

This piece will leave your mouth agape. Here is both the article and the photo.

Article:
http://www.esquire.com/print-this/ESQ0903-SEP_FALLINGMAN

Photo:
http://people.clarkson.edu/~johndan/workspace/images/fallingman-wide.jpg

[Caution: while not graphic, the photo may be discomforting to some]

Answer 2

Since the early middle ages at least Catholics have not been able to be buried on consecrated ground if they died of suicide. Up until a few decades ago Catholics weren't allowed a funeral mass but that changed, the church thought that they deserved the mass more then others because of the troubled soul needing more help in getting to heaven. As for other monotheistic faiths, i think that they have pretty much the same general attitude. I think that the other faiths outside of the Abrahamic three would be more willing to bury the suicides in their graveyards. By the way, the reason i think they dont like to bury suicide people in their own religious graveyard is because its sanctified and a suicide in the graveyard would unsanctify it and it would need to be reconsecrated, at least thats what they need to do if someone dies in a church.

Answer 3

I have heard that suicide will keep you from Heaven then I learned a few things or should I say I came to some answers of my own. My father and his brother both committed suicide years ago and we had no problem getting them buried, However I am sure somewhere there are those who would have a problem with it. I know catholics are supposed to be buried by noon. Jewish I think within 24 hours. So yes I am sure some where out there there would be a church or cemetery that would not bury the troubled souls.

Answer 4

The official position of the Conservative movement of Judaism is that suicide which is considered to be the result of mental illness does not prohibit the deceased from burial in a Jewish cemetery. That decision is made by the rabbi, who has ample scope to permit the burial.

This approach both respects Judaism's importance on the sanctity of life -- each person is like a universe, and to kill even one person is to destroy that universe -- and contemporary understanding of mental health and the needs of those close to the deceased.

Answer 5

Why would anyone commit suicide in a graveyard? Convenience?

Answer 6

Yes. That is true. A lot of "religions" believe suicide is an unforgiveable sin. The truth is though, that if a person has believed in Jesus Christ and they committ suicide, they are going to heaven. It is not an unforgiveable sin. The Bible clearly states that the ONLY unforgiveable sin is unbelief.

Answer 7

i know that catholics did this at one time. i'm not sure if they still do.

i know that there are other religions that believe that if you commit suicide you are going to hell.

i can't believe that a god of love would send someone to hell for being in so much pain they felt they had to escape.

just my thoughts.

Answer 8

I think it's a Christian thing... something about commiting suicide being a sin and so on...

Answer 9

sad isn't it.
suicide is a fatal disease, a result of mental illness, and though often temporary it becomes a permanent solution.

and only God can truly judge the state of mind that let to this final decision.

Answer 10

Yes, that is true. I know catholics used to think that way. Not sure about now..

Depression is a physiological condition. Would god condemn a person with cancer?