suicide victims now unable to have chapel funerals

[_Mephitus]

I saw this on RFM http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/view.php?bn=exmobb_recovery&key=1171361196&newest=1171363118 (language) and wonder if anyone else has heard this?

[_Dr. Shades]

According to the post, the Bishop forbade the family from having it in the chapel. The Bishop said that the Stake President gave him that directive.

So the question is obvious: Is the Stake President going "maverick," making up his own rules to match his idiosyncracies? Or is this really an actual directive from the CoB that the Stake President is merely conveying?

Either way, this could easily turn into a PR nightmare for the LDS church.

[_Mephitus]

yeah, i can see how it might be a maverik move.

If this is in fact a new standing, it would be much like the catholic stance on suicide. That once its taken place the person is forever damned as it is considered a mortal sin the likes of murder (self murder in this case).

If there is such a new stance, it would sadden/anger me greatly that they would do this. I used to suffer from depression so bad i nearly commited suicide on a few instances. So i know VERY well what the circumstances surrounding this can be like. It can be one of the most emotionaly painfull deaths a person can do for their family's.

[_Trinity]

I attended the funeral of a suicide death last year in Utah, and it was in the chapel. I hope this is a maverick SP whose actions can be brought to the attention of someone higher up. Instituting such a policy would be very poor form for the church.

[_Pokatator]

I hope it is just a maverick situation. A funeral is for the living not the dead. If it is true it just seems another way to kick a person(s) when they are down. In other words, when a person, family needs more love and support than they probably ever needed, let's pull another rug out from under them.

I feel the Bish needs help, if it goes beyond to the church, the church needs help.

[_Yoda]

Maybe Rollo can enlighten us. I think he has a copy of the Handbook of Instructions.

[_rcrocket]

Why do all of you care? You are avowed enemies of the Church, each in your individual ways.

P

[_Rollo Tomasi]

Maybe Rollo can enlighten us. I think he has a copy of the Handbook of Instructions.

There is no prohibition in the CHI against holding a funeral in the chapel for a victim of suicide. In fact, the CHI suggests that a funeral can be held in the chapel (emphasis added):

Leaders should counsel and compassionately console the family members of a person who has committed suicide. The family, in consultation with the bishop, determines the place and nature of a funeral service for a person who has died under such circumstances. Church facilities may be used.

"Church facilities," of course, include the chapel. If anything, the Church has tried to be more sensitive in recent years concerning suicide. The CHI now expressly states that members should not judge others when it comes to suicide, that "[o]nly God can judge such a matter."

[_Alter Idem]

I saw this on RFM http://www.exmormon.org/boards/w-agora/view.php?bn=exmobb_recovery&key=1171361196&newest=1171363118 (language) and wonder if anyone else has heard this?

If this is for real, then the local leadership is not following church policy. The family should complain to the Area Authority so that the Stake President and Bishop are set straight.

[_wenglund]

I saw this on RFM...

If it was stated on RFM, then it must be true. Gossip is the most reliable sorce for information known to humankind--or, at least that is the impression I get from many RFMers.

Thanks, -Wade Englund-