Sacraments are for the living, not the dead

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Fr. John Dietzen

Q. The father of a friend of mine died recently. She found him two days after he died. Her family says she should have called a priest to give him the Sacrament of Penance and anoint him. She didn’t do so because she felt there was no point. What is the proper procedure in these situations? Should she have had a priest come to give him these sacraments?

I believe your friend acted wisely. Sacraments are for the living, not the dead. Either or both of these sacraments should be administered, at least conditionally, only as long as there is any doubt that the person still has bodily life. ("Pastoral Care of the Sick," No. 15, references this ritual.)

The Church has two complementary concerns in the Sacrament of the Anointing. "It supports the sick in their struggle against illness and continues Christ's messianic work of healing" (No. 96). These obviously affect not only the sick person himself or herself but also family and friends who need this message of hope and comfort.

This is why every effort is required to prepare for and celebrate the sacraments of Anointing, Penance and Eucharist while the dying person is still able to participate in them with loved ones.

As the ritual points out and Catholic theology indicates: "Because of its very nature as a sign (as a sacramental action) the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick should be celebrated with members of the family and other representatives of the Christian community whenever this is possible. Then the sacrament is seen for what it is, a part of the prayer of the Church and an encounter with the Lord" (No. 99).

When this has not been possible for whatever reason, anointing of the sick may be conferred after the person has lost consciousness. However, it should never be ministered if it is clear without doubt that the individual is already dead. In this case, the priest might pray for the person, asking God's forgiveness and for all the other gifts the Church begs from God in its petitions for the dead.

Canon law echoes these teachings. The Sacrament of Anointing is to be ministered to those who have attained the use of reason when there is any doubt whatsoever that the sick person is in fact dead, or even whether he or she is in fact seriously ill.

While the above deals more directly with the Sacrament of Anointing of the sick, practice relating to the dying is substantially the same for the Sacrament of Penance.

Father Dietzen is a priest of the Peoria, Ill., Diocese who writes a weekly question-answer column distributed by Catholic News Service. You can reach him at Box 3315, Peoria, IL 61612 or by e-mail to jjdietzen@aol.com. Send questions for a priest to: letters@stlouisreview.com.