Genarally, now, suicides are given a catholic burial.

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Genarall=generally

I wonder why they allow the burial ceremony now?

I believe that only G-d decides when life ends and believe that G-d does not look upon people who think they have the right to end life in a very very dim light.

Speaking not as a Catholic, I believe suicide robs others from the opportunity to minister which makes it a selfish and singul act. However, I've met some people so consumed by depression that they were simply unable to think clearly or rationally and simply wanted their anguish to end in the only way they knew how. it is difficult for me to condemn someone who was in such pain and saw no way out.

The Bible talks about a sin "leading to death" which is unforgivable and many interpret that as being suicide. I honestly don't know. If you are a Christian, then you have the Holy Spirit in you and taking your own life kills off that part of the Holy Spirit that was dwelling inside you.

Yet the more I learn about depression, the more I feel it is sometimes a darkness to the point of no rational control. How can the Church judge what deaths are under the believer's control and which ones aren't?

The act of suicide is still seen as a very grave sin. We have no more right to take our own life than we do to murder others. There is today, however, a recognition that a person committing suicide very often has serious depression, an organic disease. Disease, alcohol, and other drugs can cloud judgment and lessen moral culpability.

"I wonder why they allow the burial ceremony now?"

Less cause for scandal, seeing that many understand now that suicides are sometimes from mental illness and such.

Recall that the commandment usually quoted as “Thou shall not kill” is more accurately translated “ Thou shall not commit MURDER.”

Is refusing medical treatment for a life threatening disease or condition considered to be suicide?

"Is refusing medical treatment for a life threatening disease or condition considered to be suicide?"

It depends on the nature of the treatment: The question hast to be asked is this normal or extraordinary treatment?

2277 Whatever its motives and means, direct euthanasia consists in putting an end to the lives of handicapped, sick, or dying persons. It is morally unacceptable.
Thus an act or omission which, of itself or by intention, causes death in order to eliminate suffering constitutes a murder gravely contrary to the dignity of the human person and to the respect due to the living God, his Creator. The error of judgment into which one can fall in good faith does not change the nature of this murderous act, which must always be forbidden and excluded.
2278 Discontinuing medical procedures that are burdensome, dangerous, extraordinary, or disproportionate to the expected outcome can be legitimate; it is the refusal of "over-zealous" treatment. Here one does not will to cause death; one's inability to impede it is merely accepted. The decisions should be made by the patient if he is competent and able or, if not, by those legally entitled to act for the patient, whose reasonable will and legitimate interests must always be respected.

--Catechism of the Catholic Church

There is anecdotal knowledge that the Orthodox Church of Russia (one that is presently known as Russian Orthodox Church Outside Russia) excused officers of the White Movement who committed suicide in order not to surrender to the Red Army, which routinely tortured them to death.

In the field hospitals of the Armed Forces of the South of Russia (General Denikin’s army) the wounded were allowed to keep a sidearm with one bullet in it for that reason.

I mention it here because generally the moral judgement of the Orthodox Church does not differ from the Westrn Catholic, and in Russia the circumstances at times were exceptionally dire.

Suicide

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The Radio Replies Series: Volume One

The Radio Replies Series: Volume Two

Chapter One: God

Chapter Two: Man

Chapter Three: Religion

Chapter Four: The Religion of the Bible

Chapter Five: The Christian Faith

Chapter Six: A Definite Christian Faith

Chapter Seven: The Protestant Reformation

Chapter Eight: The Truth of Catholicism

Chapter Nine: The Church and the Bible

Chapter Ten: The Dogmas of the Church

Chapter Eleven: The Church and Her Moral Teachings