When you lose a loved one, planning a funeral can be an overwhelming responsibility for the immediate family to take on while also processing their grief. From reaching out to family members and friends to coordinating with your community's priest to writing a eulogy, there are a lot of cards to balance. But funeral scriptures and Bible verses about death that celebrate the deceased's life can make it a little easier. Whether you're planning a long or short Bible reading for a funeral, or someone close to the deceased is looking for popular Bible verses for funerals, these passages will provide the uplifting and comforting words you need to hear.
While a funeral is a difficult ceremony to experience, it is also a moment to come together as one and honor the memory of someone you all love. And if you are planning a Christian funeral, the Bible is a great source of inspiration to find meaningful scripture that memorializes a beautiful life. You can choose the deceased's favorite verse or a popular Bible verse that all those gathered will recognize. Regardless, let the words of the Lord wash over you in comfort and peace as you process death and what comes after life.
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"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
The Good News: This passage is particularly comforting, as it reminds us that God will guide us through everything. He will guide those who die onward, and He will guide those of us who lost someone forward as well. He is with us all.
"For I am sure that neither death nor life ... nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
The Good News: Only one thing in life is eternal: God's love. No matter what happens, we have that.
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."
The Good News: We cannot take our earthly possessions with us to the afterlife, but we don't need to. Everything we could want for, God will provide.
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
The Good News: Grief is a very normal and understandable thing to go through after a death. And in the mourning process, God is with us every step of the way.
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
The Good News: God, too, knows sacrifice. He sacrificed his son for us so that we could one day also rise and go to Heaven. Because of this, we have something to look forward to after life.
"And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose."
The Good News: If it feels like the losses in our lives are inexplicable, remember that God has a plan for us all. That includes when it is our time to leave earth and join Him for his greater purpose.
"That this is God, our God forever and ever. He will guide us forever."
The Good News: God doesn't stop watching over us when we die. He joins us and helps us get to the next phase of our lives. He is with us in all parts of life and death.
"But, though he cause grief, he will have compassion according to the abundance of his steadfast love."
The Good News: Yes, sometimes bad things to happen, but that's life. What we can take comfort in is knowing that God loves all of us through anything, and He wouldn't give us anything we couldn't handle.
"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life."
The Good News: If we are kind, understanding, and helpful to those around us, our reward is getting into Heaven to be with God forever. That is the true life after this one.
"For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's."
The Good News: Death is not final because in both life and death we have God. All that happens when we die is that our time in our earthly body is over and we begin a new chapter in Heaven.
"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
The Good News: This is a good verse for people who have just lost someone to remember. Even in the darkest of times, God is with us and will guide us.
“The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him.”
The Good News: Although you have lost someone you love deeply, you also have within you the years spent living together side by side. These memories live on long after death.
“Set me as a seal upon your heart, as a seal upon your arm, for love is strong as death, jealousy is fierce as the grave. Its flashes are flashes of fire, the very flame of the LORD.”
The Good News: Death is an unfortunate part of life that feels uncontrollable, but its power is not any stronger than that of the Lord.
“For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”
The Good News: When we lose someone, they pass on from this life, but they are made alive again in the Heavens above.
“For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
The Good News: If you have recently lost someone, anger is probably at the forefront of your mind and the tears may be falling uncontrollably. But there will be a time in the not-so-distant future where you can smile again. Because death is but an instant whereas life is for eternity.
Martha Sorren
Martha Sorren is a freelance writer for Bustle, Refinery29, Woman's Day, and INSIDER.
Elizabeth Berry
Editorial Assistant
Elizabeth Berry (she/her) is the digital editorial assistant for Woman’s Day, where she covers seasonal recipes, holiday gift ideas, and other lifestyle topics for the website.
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