Bible verses for funerals do two things. They comfort the people who mourn, and they state the hope that death is not the end. This guide gives fifty funeral scriptures with their full words, grouped by what they say, so that you can choose a reading for the service, a verse for the programme cover, or a line to end a tribute.
How to use these funeral scriptures
- For a reading at the service, choose a passage of six to twelve verses. One of comfort and one of hope work well together.
- For the programme, choose one short verse for the cover or the back page.
- For a tribute or a card, one line is enough.
The words below are from the King James Version, which is free to print anywhere. If your church reads from another translation, use the same reference and copy the words from that Bible. Ask your minister before you settle the readings, because in many churches he or she chooses them.
The ten best loved Bible verses for funerals
These are read at more funerals than any others.
Psalm 23
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.
The best known funeral scripture of all. It is short enough to print in full and familiar enough for everyone to say together.
John 14:1-3
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Jesus promises a place prepared. It is often the Gospel reading at a funeral.
John 11:25-26
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.
Said by Jesus at the grave of Lazarus. It is read at the start of many burial services.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
A reading that people of any faith, or none, can accept. It suits a service with many kinds of guests.
Revelation 21:4
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
The promise of an end to sorrow. It is often read at the graveside.
Romans 8:38-39
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Nothing, not even death, can separate us from the love of God.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14
But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
The source of the words "we do not mourn as those who have no hope".
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
One line of strength for a family in shock.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
From the Beatitudes. Short enough for a card.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Chosen for a faithful believer after a long life. The first sentence is printed on many programme covers.
Comforting Bible verses for funerals
For those who are grieving and need to hear that God is near.
- Psalm 34:18. "The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."
- Matthew 11:28-30. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."
- Isaiah 41:10. "Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."
- Psalm 147:3. "He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds."
- 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God."
- Psalm 73:26. "My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever."
- Isaiah 40:31. "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
- Psalm 121:1-2. "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth."
- John 14:27. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid."
- Psalm 55:22. "Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved."
- Psalm 27:1. "The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Bible verses about hope, resurrection and eternal life
For the heart of the Christian funeral: the promise that we shall see them again.
- 1 Corinthians 15:54-55. "So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?"
- Job 19:25-26. "For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."
- John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
- Philippians 1:21. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
- 2 Corinthians 5:1. "For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
- Romans 14:8. "For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's."
- Isaiah 25:8. "He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces; and the rebuke of his people shall he take away from off all the earth: for the Lord hath spoken it."
- 1 Peter 1:3-4. "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you."
- John 16:22. "And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you."
- Revelation 14:13. "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."
Funeral scriptures for a long life well lived
For a thanksgiving service, when the family gives thanks as well as mourns.
- Psalm 116:15. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
- Psalm 91:16. "With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation."
- Job 5:26. "Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season."
- Psalm 90:12. "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom."
- Proverbs 10:7. "The memory of the just is blessed."
- Matthew 25:21. "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
Verses for a sudden or hard loss
When the person was young, or the death came without warning, choose words that are honest about pain. Do not rush to the cheerful ones.
- Job 1:21. "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
- Lamentations 3:22-23. "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."
- Psalm 30:5. "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning."
- Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
- Romans 8:28. "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."
- Isaiah 57:1-2. "The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness."
Short Bible verses for a funeral programme
A single line for the cover, the back page, a memorial card or a headstone.
- Psalm 4:8. "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety."
- Philippians 1:3. "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you."
- Numbers 6:24-26. "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
- Psalm 116:15. "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."
- 2 Timothy 4:7. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."
- Philippians 1:21. "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
- Matthew 5:4. "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Bible verses for the funeral of a mother
- Proverbs 31:28-29. "Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
- Proverbs 31:25. "Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come."
- Isaiah 66:13. "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you."
The whole of Proverbs 31, verses 10 to 31, is often read for a mother or grandmother. For words of your own, see tribute to my late mother.
Bible verses for the funeral of a father
- Proverbs 20:7. "The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him."
- Psalm 103:13. "Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him."
- Psalm 37:37. "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace."
Psalm 112 and Psalm 1 are also read for a father who was upright. For words of your own, see tribute to my late father.
Bible verses for the funeral of a child
- Mark 10:14. "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God."
- 2 Samuel 12:23. "I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me." These are the words of King David after the death of his infant son.
Bible verses for the funeral of a friend
- John 15:13. "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."
- Proverbs 17:17. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity."
How to choose the right verse
- Start with the person. Was a verse marked in their Bible? Was there one they quoted often? That one comes first.
- Match the life. A verse about a race well run fits a believer of ninety. It does not fit a young parent taken suddenly.
- Think of the guests. If many are not churchgoers, Psalm 23 and Ecclesiastes 3 speak to everyone.
- Keep readings short. Six to twelve verses is enough for a grieving congregation.
- Check with the preacher. The sermon is often built on one of the readings.
Where the verses go in the funeral programme
- On the cover, under the name and dates: one short verse.
- In the order of service: the reference for each reading, with the name of the reader. Print the full words if guests may not bring Bibles.
- At the end of the life story or a tribute: one line.
- On the back page, with the family's thanks.
When you print the words, name the translation. See Bible readings for a burial service for how to choose readers and set out the readings. For whole passages, see Old Testament readings for funerals and New Testament readings for funerals.
Questions people ask
What is the most common Bible verse read at funerals?
Psalm 23, "The Lord is my shepherd". John 14, verses 1 to 3, and Ecclesiastes 3, verses 1 to 4, follow it.
What is a good short Bible verse for a funeral programme?
"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7), "Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints" (Psalm 116:15), and "Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted" (Matthew 5:4) are all short enough for a cover.
How many Bible readings are there at a funeral?
One to three. Many services have one reading from the Old Testament or the Psalms, and one from the New Testament. The minister decides.
Which Bible verse is read at the graveside?
John 11, verses 25 and 26, "I am the resurrection, and the life", and Revelation 21, verse 4, are the most common. In many churches the words at the grave are fixed by the service book.
Which translation should we print?
The one your church reads from. The King James Version is free to print anywhere. Most modern translations allow short quotations with a credit line, but each publisher sets its own terms, so check before you print long passages.
Beside the readings
Hymns carry as much of a funeral as the readings do. See funeral hymns for forty of the best loved. For the whole order, see the orders of service for each church.
Build the order of service with Homegoing
Homegoing starts you with an order of service for your church, with readings and hymns already in place. You can change each reading, name the readers, and put a verse on the cover. Your minister approves the order before printing. Start a programme