If someone commits suicide, where do they go?

Nov. 13, 2018（Last Update: June 13, 2026）

Q. What happens after death if someone commits suicide?

A. They mostly become earthbound spirits or go to hell.

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Q. What happens after death if someone commits suicide?
They either become earthbound spirits or fall into hell.
It is very difficult for suicides to go to heaven.
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Answers to Readers' Questions

They either become earthbound spirits or fall into hell.

The answer is that it is not 100% certain that they go to hell, but they are often in hell or in a stage before hell. Some people do reach hell, but many are in a stage before hell, unaware that they have died, clinging to the earth, living like those on the ground, or drifting around as earthbound spirits in the places where they died. There are many people who are still caught up in this world and cannot even fall into hell. Of course, if they do reach hell, the suffering becomes clearer, but many cannot reach that point.

It is very difficult for suicides to go to heaven.

However, it is not that suicides can never go to heaven. For example, in history, Takamori Saigo committed seppuku, which is indeed suicide. Similarly, General Nogi's death in service is also considered suicide. However, they did not go to hell. They likely suffered at the time of their death, but afterward, they returned properly to the heavenly realm and became one of the gods. The reason they did not fall into hell may be because they had a pure heart while alive and were greatly respected by many people. There are cases where different principles apply.

However, in most cases, such as when someone commits suicide as an escape from this world, it is rare and almost unheard of for them to go to heaven. Especially if they died without knowing the truth of the spiritual world, it is extremely difficult for them to return to heaven, and such people do not accept even when angels come to persuade them.

Please share your concerns with us.

Based on the truth of the Buddha's teachings, we established the Happiness Science open_in_new 'Suicide Prevention Consultation Desk' starting from May 8, 2020 (Friday).
You can consult via phone or email.

Suicide Prevention Site - Words of Truth for You

主エル・カンターレの救いの光―幸福の科学の「供養」

故人を偲び、来世の幸福を祈る供養の心は尊いものですが、その一方で、迷っている故人の霊を成仏へと導くには、正しい霊的知識を知らなければ難しいのも事実です。

主エル・カンターレ、大川隆法総裁は、「どのような心で生きた人が、天国に還るのか」「地獄から天国に上がるには、どうすればよいのか」など、私たちが、この世でもあの世でも正しく幸福に生きるための教えを、数多く説いてくださっています。

すべての人の幸福を願われる、主エル・カンターレの教えから、「正しい供養」のあり方を学んでみませんか？

幸福の科学の供養について詳しくはこちら

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Answers to Readers' Questions

We will answer questions received from those who have read the article based on the teachings of Happiness Science.

[Reader's Question 1]

Are there people who can go to heaven even if they commit suicide?

[Editorial Department's Answer 1]

Suicide spirits generally cannot ascend to the heavenly realm.

They either become earthbound spirits or remain with family and relatives, unable to move on to the afterlife.

However, it is not true that all suicides cannot enter heaven; there are exceptions.

For example, among artists, there are a few such cases.

In Japan, there is a writer from the Shirakaba group named Takeo Arishima, who returned to the Bodhisattva realm. He died by suicide but had a mission and lived to spread humanitarianism, so he has properly returned to the heavenly realm.

However, it is said that many people remain in hell.

(Refer to 'The World of Eternal Life' P.109 'What Happens to the Spirits of Those Who Commit Suicide')

For more details, please see the suicide prevention site.

＞ Suicide Prevention Site open_in_new

The following related articles are also recommended.

＞ The Real Reasons You Shouldn't Commit Suicide / Videos to Deter Suicide! 【A True Story of the Spiritual World】 open_in_new

＞ Where Do the Souls of Those Who Commit Suicide Go? 【A True Story of the Spiritual World】 open_in_new

[Reader's Question 2]

It has been three months since the one I promised to spend my life with committed suicide, and every night deep tears overflow, preventing me from sleeping until morning. I continue to cry, unable to heal my sadness, and my heartache worsens day by day. My heart feels like it is being torn apart.
I keep asking myself why he left without saying anything, and because I cannot understand, I cry every day and night until I am exhausted, feeling like I want to go to him. I desperately wish to know what he was thinking when he left.
How should I understand this?
Even though I understand it in my head, my feelings cannot keep up.

[Editorial Department's Answer 2]

I can only imagine the sadness and frustration of having to face the pain of losing someone who left without saying anything, despite your shared promise to overcome future hardships together. However, I believe he would never want you to take your own life.

Would you consider offering a prayer for him together with staff at your nearest branch or temple? The prayers of Happiness Science are very easy to understand and I believe they can help him attain enlightenment.

Moreover, there are those who feel a sense of awareness and healing through the teachings and prayers of Happiness Science.

＞【Testimonial】A woman who lost her son to suicide, overcoming her suffering open_in_new
＞【Testimonial】Thank you delivered to heaven open_in_new

Please write a letter addressed to him and bring it with you. I believe your feelings will surely reach him as well. I hope you can pray for his peaceful rest with your love for him as a heart of memorial.

If you find yourself overwhelmed with painful feelings, please knock on the door of Happy Science. The "Suicide Prevention Site open_in_new" has also established a telephone consultation service for suicide prevention.

＞Find the nearest Happy Science open_in_new
＞Suicide Prevention Site (Telephone Consultation Service Established) open_in_new

【Reader's Question 3】

It has been a while since my loved one committed suicide. He was very well-liked by everyone. He was loved. It is said that he passed away due to work-related stress, but can't he go to heaven? I really want him to go to heaven. I still love him very much.

【Editorial Department's Answer 3】

If you commit suicide, can't you go to heaven?

＞【Recruitment】We are currently accepting questions, comments, and requests for spiritual life consultations. The input form is here open_in_new.

＜Books Introduced in the Video＞
『The World of Eternal Life - What Happens When People Die? open_in_new』

＜Suicide Prevention Consultation Service＞
Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, many people are suffering both economically and mentally. We have heard many voices of those who are struggling. In response to these voices, we aim to provide mental relief based on the truth of Buddhism, and from May 8 (Friday), we have established the Happy Science "Suicide Prevention Consultation Service open_in_new". You can consult via phone or email.

＜大切な人を供養したいあなたへ＞
天使・菩薩の力により、心の底から供養したいと思う愛念を、あの世の愛しい故人に贈り物として届け、あの世での幸福を祈る「愛念供養祈願」があります。詳しくは、お近くの精舎 open_in_newにお尋ねください。
＞2020年お盆の供養大祭〈行事案内〉 open_in_new
＞幸福の科学の研修・祈願のご案内 open_in_new