At a funeral, Scripture offers readings of hope: blessed are the dead which die in the Lord (Revelation 14:13), the Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23), let not your heart be troubled (John 14:1-2), and I know that my redeemer liveth (Job 19:25-26). These verses suit memorial services and graveside comfort.
Choosing Bible verses for a funeral or memorial service calls for readings that comfort the living and honor the departed. These twelve King James passages are suited to a funeral liturgy, order of service, or graveside reading—distinct from our grief page (walking through sorrow) and death page (resurrection hope and eternal life).
Readings of hope for the departed
1. Revelation 14:13
"And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, 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."
Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… that they may rest from their labours. A classic funeral reading: rest and blessing for those who die in Christ.
2. 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:"
I know that my redeemer liveth… yet in my flesh shall I see God. Funeral hope rests on a living Redeemer, not only memory.
3. 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."
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. A life of faith can be remembered as a finished race.
4. 1 Corinthians 15:51-52
"Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed."
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed… at the last trump. The funeral looks forward to resurrection change.
Comfort for those who gather
5. Psalms 23:1-3
"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."
The LORD is my shepherd… he restoreth my soul. Often read at funerals: green pastures and still waters for the weary.
6. John 14:1-2
"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."
Let not your heart be troubled… In my Father's house are many mansions. Jesus prepares a place; troubled hearts are invited to trust.
7. Psalms 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."
I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills… My help cometh from the LORD. A memorial gathering lifts eyes to the Maker of heaven and earth.
8. 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."
The Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort… comforteth us in all our tribulation. God comforts mourners so they can comfort others.
Time, preciousness, and rest
9. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
"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;"
To every thing there is a season… a time to be born, and a time to die. Funerals name the season without denying God's timing.
10. Psalms 116:15
"Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints."
Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints. The death of God's people is not cheap to Him.
11. 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."
The righteous is taken away from the evil to come… they shall rest in their beds. Rest and mercy frame the departure of the upright.
12. Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted."
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted. Mourning at a funeral is blessed with a promise of comfort.
A short prayer
God of all comfort, meet us at this funeral with Your nearness. Hold those who mourn; receive Your saints into rest; and let hope in the living Redeemer steady our hearts. In Jesus' name, amen.
Go deeper: a SOAP study prompt
Pick one verse above and write: - Scripture: copy the verse by hand. - Observation: what does it say? Who is speaking, to whom? - Application: what does it mean for you today? - Prayer: turn it into a two-line prayer.
New to this method? See our Bible study guide or pick a Bible reading plan.
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Frequently asked questions
What Bible verse is good for a funeral?
Revelation 14:13, Psalm 23, John 14:1-2, and Job 19:25-26 are among the most shared funeral readings.
What is a short funeral Bible verse?
Psalm 116:15 ("Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints") and Matthew 5:4 are brief and fitting.
How is this different from grief or death verses?
This page selects readings for a funeral or memorial service. Our grief page walks with the sorrowing; our death page focuses on resurrection and eternal life.
Can these verses be read graveside?
Yes—Psalm 23, John 14, Revelation 14:13, and Job 19:25-26 are commonly used at graveside and in the order of service.
This page is for spiritual encouragement and is not medical or mental-health advice. If you are struggling, please talk to a doctor, pastor, or licensed counselor. In the US you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Sources: All Scripture quotations are from the King James Version (KJV), public domain in the United States. References were checked against the KJV text from bible-api.com.
Related: Bible verses about grief · Bible verses about death · Bible verses on hope · Bible verses for strength in hard times · Bible verses about peace
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