Funeral Scriptures and Readings: 45+ Bible Verses for Funerals | Cake Blog (2024)

Scripture is a path to personal revelation. These readings bring Christians closer to the Bible and the word of God. After the passing of a loved one, scripture brings peace and understanding when Christians need it most.

Jump ahead to these sections:

• Bible Verses for a Mother’s Funeral
• Bible Verses for a Father’s Funeral
• Bible Verses for a Child’s Funeral
• Funeral Scriptures from the New Testament
• Funeral Scriptures from the Old Testament
• Scriptures for a Funeral Card
• Comforting Funeral Scriptures
• Unusual Funeral Scriptures
• Funeral Scriptures About Family
• Funeral Scriptures About Love

If your loved one wished to have a Christian funeral, including scripture as part of the service is a way to honor their memory. What Bible verses are best for funeral readings? This guide shares the 50+ best funeral scriptures and readings for every situation.

Virtual funeral planning tip: If you plan a virtual Christian funeralusing a service likeGatheringUs, you can still recite these funeral scriptures with your online guests. Coordinate with your planning team and ensure you have the right mics and speakers to accommodate your guests.

Bible Verses for a Mother’s Funeral

Losing a mother is never easy. There’s no better way to say “I love you” in Heaven than with a meaningful Bible verse. Here are some Bible verses for a mother’s funeral.

1.Isaiah 66:13

"As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem."

2.Proverbs 31:25

"She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."

3.Proverbs31:26

"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue."

4.Proverbs 31:31

"Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."

5.Peter 3:4

"Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight."

Bible Verses for a Father’s Funeral

Are you searching for religious sympathy quotes to share with someone who recently lost their father? Consider quoting directly from scripture. Here are some Bible verses for a father’s funeral or a sympathy message.

Tip: Choosing funeral scriptures and readings might be just a tiny part of your post-death responsibilities. If you need help sorting it out, check out our post-loss checklist.

6.Proverbs 23:22-25

"Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction, and insight as well. The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him. May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!"

7.3 John 1:4

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

8.Proverbs 4:11-12

"I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths.When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble."

9.Luke 15:20

"So he got up and went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him, and kissed him."

10.Proverbs 3:3-4

"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man."

Bible Verses for a Child’s Funeral

Nothing is more challenging than the loss of a child. Let these verses bring peace and understanding in a time of crisis. Here are Bible verses for a child's funeral.

11.Psalm 127:3

"Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him."

12.Psalm 103:13

"As a father has compassion on his children, so theLord has compassion on those who fear him."

13.Psalm 139:13-14

14.Psalm 8:12

"Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies."

15.Isaiah 54:13

"All your children will be taught by the Lord, and great will be their peace."

Funeral Scriptures from the New Testament

The New Testament is a popular choice for funerals.These scriptures below are full of grace and can be perfectly paired with religious funeral songs.

16. 1 Corinthians 12:31

"But earnestly desire the greater gifts."

17.Romans 5:17-21

"For if by the offense of the one, death reigned through the one, much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.

So then, as through one offense the result was condemnation to all mankind, so also through oneact of righteousness the result wasjustification of life to all mankind.

For as through the one man’s disobediencethe manywere made sinners, so also throughthe obedience of the Onethe many will be made righteous.

The Law came in so that the offense would increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more,so that, as sin reigned in death, so also grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

18.1 John 3:1-2

"See how great a love the Father has given us, that we would be called children of God; and in fact we are. For this reason the world does not know us: because it did not know Him.Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we will be. We know that when He appears, we will be like Him, because we will see Him just as He is."

19.2 Timothy 2:8-13

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which Isuffer hardship even toimprisonment as acriminal; butthe word of Godis not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen,so that they also may obtain thesalvation which is inChrist Jesusandwithiteternal glory. The statement is trustworthy:

For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us; If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself."

20.Phillippians 3:20-21

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself."

Funeral Scriptures from the Old Testament

The Old Testament – especially the book of Psalms –is also standard in funerals. This is especially true for Catholic funeral services, though it is also a popular choice amongst other sects of Christianity. Here are funeral scriptures from the Old Testament.

21.2 Maccabees 12:43-46

"And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (For if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead,) And because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins."

22.Job 19:23-26

"Who will grant me that my words may be written? Who will grant me that they may be marked down in a book? With an iron pen and in a plate of lead, or else be graven with an instrument in flint stone. For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and in the last day I shall rise out of the earth. And I shall be clothed again with my skin, and in my flesh I will see my God."

23.Isaiah 25:6-9

"On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples a feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines. On this mountain he will destroy the veil that veils all peoples, The web that is woven over all nations. He will destroy death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from all faces; The reproach of his people he will remove from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken. On that day it will be said: “Indeed, this is our God; we looked to him, and he saved us! This is the LORD to whom we looked; let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"

24. Daniel 12:1-3

"Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever."

25.Wisdom 4:7-15

"But the righteous man, though he die early, will be at rest. For old age is not honored for length of time, nor measured by number of years; but understanding is gray hair for men, and a blameless life is ripe old age. There was one who pleased God and was loved by him, and while living among sinners he was taken up.

He was caught up lest evil change his understanding or guile deceive his soul. For the fascination of wickedness obscures what is good, and roving desire perverts the innocent mind.

Being perfected in a short time, he fulfilled long years; for his soul was pleasing to the Lord, therefore he took him quickly from the midst of wickedness.

Yet the peoples saw and did not understand, nor take such a thing to heart, that God’s grace and mercy are with his elect, and he watches over his holy ones."

Scriptures for a Funeral Card

Scripture helps families deal with the passing of a loved one. Including a favorite Bible verse on a funeral card honors the deceased while offering words of courage. Here are scriptures for a funeral card.

26.Ecclesiastes 3:1-4

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.

27. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

28.Matthew 11:28-30

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.

29. John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

30. Psalm 46:1-10

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

Comforting Funeral Scriptures

Scripture brings great comfort. These sacred words raise Christians up in a reminder of God’s presence. Here are some comforting funeral scriptures.

31. 1 Corinthians 13:13

So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love.

32. 1 John 4:12

No man has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us.

33.Romans 8:35

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

34.Isaiah 57:1-2

The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity, he enters into peace; they rest in their beds who walk in their uprightness.

35.1 Thessalonians 4:14-17

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died.For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from Heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever.

Unusual Funeral Scriptures

Sometimes, scripture says what your words can’t. These unusual scriptures below might not be expected, but they still evoke powerful feelings. Here are some unusual funeral scriptures.

36.Psalm 23

"The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters; he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I 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 my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever."

37.Romans 14:8

"If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord."

38.Psalm 46:1-2

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof."

39.Proverbs 12:28

"In the way of righteousness there is life; along that path is immortality."

Funeral Scriptures About Family

When families face a loss, it is more important than ever to come together. Find strength through these scriptures. Here are some funeral scriptures about family.

40.John 14:1-3

"Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am."

41.1 Corinthians 5:1

"For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands."

42.Psalm 61:2-3

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah."

43. Romans 8:16-17

"The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him."

Funeral Scriptures About Love

Finally, love is a reminder of the goodness of life. After the passing of a family member, surround yourself with these love-focused scriptures. Here are some funeral scriptures about love.

44. Romans 6:4

"We were indeed buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might live in newness of life. For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection."

45. Psalm 34:18

"The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

46. Matthew 5:4

"Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted."

47. John 3:16

"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

48. Job 16:20

"My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God."

Find Comfort in Scripture

Scripture plays a significant role in the mass of Christian burial. These words from God bring families together and tell us to find comfort in times of pain. Despite experiencing a loss and planning a funeral, these Biblical verses remind us of our faith. They may also help you accept deathas a part of life.

These verses above are for every funeral situation. From the loss of a parent to the death of an extended family member, let these words bring strength, comfort, and peace when needed.