The Synod of the SyroMalabar Church in Kerala has decided to give a ‘decent burial’ to those who commit suicide, and in case of a scandalous suicide, not even that. The Synod, in a circular after its August 17-28 meeting, said it was willing to give a simple form of burial to those who commit suicide, which is considered evil in Christianity.

The simple form is a burial with no homily, no holy mass, but only with two ornamental umbrellas, one cross and one priest for the burial. Formerly, according to Church spokesperson Father Paul Thelekkat, those committing suicide were buried in one corner of the cemetery. “The body would not be placed inside the church and no priest would conduct any service at all.” But now things have changed.

However, in case of a scandalous suicide, the circular stated it would follow its old rule, wherein the body would not be allowed inside the church, but priests were free to pray outside the funeral service. The move, meanwhile, has not gone well with the faithful who are questioning the role of priests to decide a scandalous suicide. Church rights activist Joseph Pulikunnel asks: How can a man judge. “The crucification of Christ was a decision of the then high priest. Was it right? So how can the priests sit in judgment on death. It amounts to reducing God’s judgment to human judgment.”

Syro Malabar Christians account for more than 50 percent of Kerala’s 23 percent Christian population. It is the largest of the Saint Thomas Christians denomination with over 4 million believers.