God speaks to grieving children with a mother's tenderness: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you" (Isaiah 66:13). Scripture even records that "Isaac was comforted after his mother's death" (Genesis 24:67). Jesus promises, "I will not leave you comfortless" (John 14:18), and "The memory of the just is blessed" (Proverbs 10:7).
Losing your mother changes the shape of your world, whether she died suddenly or after a long illness, and whether your relationship was close or complicated. The first Thanksgiving, Christmas or Mother's Day without her can be especially hard. These twelve King James verses are gathered for that loss: comfort from God, words to honor her memory in a card or eulogy, and quiet hope for the days ahead. Take them slowly; there is no right timetable for grief. For broader comfort, see grief and lost loved ones.
Comfort when your mother has died
1. Isaiah 66:13
"As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem."
God chose a mother's comfort to describe His own. If you are grieving the one who comforted you most, God Himself will hold you in that same tender way. It is a gentle verse for a sympathy card.
2. Genesis 24:67
"And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah's tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother's death."
Sarah had died some years before (Genesis 23:2), and only now does the Bible say Isaac was comforted. Grief for a mother can last a long time. Scripture does not rush it.
3. John 14:18
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you."
Jesus spoke these words the night before His death. The word translated comfortless can also mean orphans. Even when you feel motherless, you are not left alone.
4. Psalms 56:8
"Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"
Not one tear for your mother is wasted or forgotten. God keeps count of your sleepless nights and records your sorrow in His book. You are free to cry in His presence.
Words to honor her memory
5. Proverbs 31:31
"Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates."
This verse is often read at a mother's funeral. The meals she cooked, the prayers she prayed and the people she loved still speak for her, and a eulogy can simply tell those works.
6. Proverbs 10:7
"The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot."
Sharing her stories, keeping her recipes or her Bible, and saying her name at family gatherings honor her memory. Remembering is not failing to move on; it is love continuing.
7. Psalms 112:6
"Surely he shall not be moved for ever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance."
A mother who trusted God is remembered by Him forever, not only by her family. Her influence often runs through generations of children and grandchildren.
8. Hebrews 11:4
"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh."
Of Abel, Hebrews says, he being dead yet speaketh. A godly mother's faith keeps speaking through the lessons, sayings and example she left.
Quiet hope for the days ahead
9. Lamentations 3:31-33
"For the Lord will not cast off for ever: But though he cause grief, yet will he have compassion according to the multitude of his mercies. For he doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men."
Lamentations was written in deep grief, yet it holds on to God's compassion. God is not distant from your sorrow; He does not afflict willingly.
10. Psalms 119:76
"Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant."
This short prayer is enough on the days when you have no other words. You can pray it each morning, asking God to meet you with kindness.
11. Psalms 131:2
"Surely I have behaved and quieted myself, as a child that is weaned of his mother: my soul is even as a weaned child."
Grief can make us restless. David pictures a weaned child resting quietly with his mother, and invites you to rest in God that way, even without answers.
12. Romans 12:15
"Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep."
If you are supporting a friend who lost her mother, you do not need perfect words. Showing up, listening, remembering the anniversary and saying her mother's name are deep kindnesses.
A short prayer
Father, You know how much I miss my mother. Comfort me as a mother comforts her child, and keep every tear I cry. Thank You for her life and for the ways she loved me. Help me honor her memory, carry forward what was good in her, and rest in You on the hardest days and the holidays. 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.
Write out one verse a day with our free Scripture Writing Plan · Download our free SOAP study page
Frequently asked questions
What is a good Bible verse for someone who lost their mother?
Isaiah 66:13 is a gentle choice: "As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you." Others include Psalm 34:18, Proverbs 31:31 for a card that honors her, and Revelation 21:4 for hope. Keep the note short and personal, and add a memory of her if you knew her.
What scripture can be read at a mother's funeral?
Common readings include Proverbs 31:10-31, Psalm 23, John 14:1-3, 2 Timothy 4:7-8 and Revelation 21:4. Proverbs 31 says, "Her children arise up, and call her blessed" (Proverbs 31:28). See our Bible verses for a funeral for more readings.
How do I get through the first holidays without my mom?
Plan ahead and keep things simple. Some families light a candle, set out her photo, cook her recipe or share a favorite story. It is fine to change traditions or to step away for a while. Tell someone how you are really doing, and let God meet you in the quiet: "put thou my tears into thy bottle" (Psalm 56:8).
Will I see my mother again in heaven?
For those who die trusting in Christ, the Bible gives real hope of reunion, so that we "sorrow not, even as others which have no hope" (1 Thessalonians 4:13), because Jesus rose and will gather His people together. God alone knows each heart. Our page on lost loved ones gathers more of these promises.
This page is for spiritual encouragement and is not medical or mental-health advice. If grief feels overwhelming or you have thoughts of harming yourself, please talk to a doctor, pastor or licensed counselor. In the US you can call or text 988 for the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or call 911 in an emergency.
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: Grief Bible verses · Bible verses for lost loved ones · Bible verses for a funeral · Bible verses about mothers · Bible verses on death · Bible verses about loneliness
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