Skip to main contentAccessibility feedback
heart
URGENT: Time is running out—our campaign ends May 17! If Catholic.com has helped you, please help keep it free for millions. We are $13,000 away from hitting our $20,000 match. Please donate today.
Has catholic.com helped you? Donations matched up to $20,000.
Give NowGive Now
Get 20 Answers: The Papacy Free.

Could JFK have received last rites if he was already dead?

Listen to the audio version of this content

Question:

The movie JFK said that a priest performed the last rites on the slain president. It was obvious that someone shot with such a terrible head wound already was dead, so why would a priest bother to perform the last rites?

Answer:

The problem is that the onset of death is not so obvious. We really don’t know, scientifically, what constitutes physical death. Is it when breathing stops, when the heart stops, or when there is no brain activity? In spiritual terms death is when the soul leaves the body.

Priests are not able to discern exactly when this occurs. No physical event defines when the soul leaves. No “vacancy” sign pops up. Once all activity associated with life is gone and the process of decomposition begins, then it is clear the soul is no longer present, but at what moment the soul left we can’t tell. Unless he is sure death occurred, a priest should perform the anointing (Jas 5:14-15).

Did you like this content? Please help keep us ad-free
Enjoying this content?  Please support our mission!Donatewww.catholic.com/support-us
By continuing to use this site you agree to our Terms and that you have read our Privacy Policy.