Eligibility: Restricted to the faithful who are in danger of death due to serious physical/mental illness or advanced age. It should not be requested for minor ailments.
Surgical Cases: Permitted only when a serious illness is the cause of the surgery. If the procedure is for a non-dangerous condition, the Sacraments of Penance and Eucharist are the appropriate spiritual remedies.
Minors: Only children who have attained the use of reason may be anointed. Children under age seven in danger of death should be given Confirmation and the Eucharist (Viaticum) if they can distinguish it from ordinary food.
Repetition of the Sacrament: May be repeated only upon recovery followed by a new danger of death, or in the event of a serious relapse of a persistent condition.
Unconscious Persons: May be administered if it is reasonable to assume the person would have requested it while conscious.
Proper Disposition: The sacrament is withheld from those persisting in manifest mortal sin to prevent sacrilege.