Care needed in the language we use when talking about suicide

In recent months, the levels of suicide, especially teen suicide, have increased dramatically. In grieving the deaths, I believe we have to be more careful about the language we use about the deceased, most notably in religious contexts.

I refrain from commenting on specific cases, but the phenomenon of suicide pacts are more prevalent, at least in the media, than they have ever been. I call into question the language used when someone dies from suicide, especially a young person, who would have had contact and influence over people their age.

Some common phrases used when someone has died, under any circumstances, are “he/she has gone to a better place”, they are “with the angels now”, or “they are free of their pain now.” It could be suggested that impressionable young minds, namely teenagers, can be adversely affected by such words, despite them being meant in a comforting sense.