The Bible is an ultimate resource for a person grieving over the death of a loved one.
First, it will remind you that you are not alone with your grief. Throughout millennia, others have suffered over the loss of their parents, spouses, children, and friends. You can read those stories in the Bible to help you understand that even though you are experiencing indescribable pain, others have suffered too.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Bible Verses About a Mother or Father’s Death
- Bible Verses About Another Family Member’s Death
- Bible Verses About the Death of a Partner or Spouse
- Bible Verse About a Friend’s Death
Second, the Bible will assist you as you take care of the necessary arrangements for the funeral. You can turn to the Bible to find appropriate funeral scriptures to read during the services. Perhaps you can share the verses that brought comfort to your loved one as their death approached.
Next, the Bible can be used when writing a eulogy. Many Christians ask that their funeral services be used as an opportunity to share the Word with those in attendance who are not Christians. Besides telling the other mourners what made the deceased so special, you can use the eulogy to tell about Christ’s death and resurrection.
Finally, the Bible is an excellent resource for someone in mourning because it gives a message of hope to all believers. Death somehow loses its sting when we know that there is an afterlife.
Are you looking for Bible verses about death? There are plenty to choose from in both the Old and New Testament.
Bible Verses About a Mother or Father’s Death
The Bible has a lot to say about how we are to treat our parents. Here are some examples of Bible verses about parents, a parent’s death, or death, in general.
1. Ephesians 6:1
This verse states: “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” This is common advice in the Bible. In fact, people were instructed to obey their parents as a part of the Ten Commandments.
This commandment may be a helpful reminder as you plan to carry out your parents’ wishes for their estate.
2. Ecclesiastes 7:2
We learn in the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes that grief is not only a part of life, but it can also be beneficial. It can allow us to become more in tune with the big picture of life and agonize less about the little things.
3. Psalm 30:5
We also learn from the Old Testament, that even though your life will never be the same without your parents, you will feel joy again. The second part of this verse says, “weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”
4. Psalm 23:4
The book of Psalms has much wisdom to share with a person who is grieving. This often-quoted verse may give you comfort as you sit near your dad on his deathbed. The verse begins, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil. For you are with me.”
5. Psalm 68:5
Did you recently lose your father? If you are a Christian, you can take comfort in knowing that you still have a heavenly father. This verse says that God is a “father to the fatherless.”
Bible Verses About Another Family Member’s Death
Have you recently lost a family member? As you plan a memorial or funeral for your loved one, turn to scripture to find words of comfort.
6. John 11:35
It may help you in your struggles to know that Jesus felt sorrow as well. This verse of the Bible is an account of Jesus crying over the death of Lazarus. It helps to know that God understands the pain we are experiencing.
7. Matthew 23:37-39
God wants to protect us from pain and suffering. This verse says that he wishes to gather his children as a “hen gathers her brood under her wings.”
8. Psalm 13
You may feel as if your sorrow over your loved one’s death will continue forever. In fact, this may cause you to feel anger. You may ask, “How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?” But the end of this chapter concludes with the mourner realizing how important it was to trust in the Lord.
This is another example of how the Bible teaches us how to handle the difficulties of life.
9. Psalm 30
Here is another chapter about how God helps us through our grief. The chapter begins with the following verse: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.”
Unfortunately, we are not given a timeline of when the mourning will be turned into dancing. We are instructed to trust in the Lord’s promises to receive solace for our sorrows.
10. 1 Peter 5:7
You may feel as if you are not strong enough to handle the burdens of your sorrow. In the first book of Peter, we are instructed to lay those sorrows on God “because he cares for you.”
Bible Verses About the Death of a Partner or Spouse
You may feel as if you lost your right hand if you recently lost your husband or wife. You may never fully recover from such a loss. Here are some helpful verses from the Bible to assist you as you walk through the stages of grief.
11. Galatians 6:2
You may feel tempted to isolate yourself during your time of mourning. But the Bible instructs us to “bear one another’s burdens.” This means you should lean on your inner circle to help you through your sorrow. Reach out to them. Don’t try to go through this pain alone.
12. Psalm 40:1-2
Do you feel alone since losing your spouse? This verse in Psalm tells us that we are never alone. God knows every tear you shed, when you sit down, and when you rise up from your seat.
13. John 11:25
If your spouse was a Christian, you might be rejoicing that he or she has entered the Kingdom of Heaven. This verse in John shares Jesus’ promise of salvation for all believers.
14. 1 Corinthians 15: 42-44
On the same theme of the previous verse, this passage in 1 Corinthians says, “Death has been swallowed up in victory.” This is the verse that later asks, “Where, O death, is your sting?”
15. Jeremiah 17:14
There may feel as if there is no end to your sadness or sorrow. You may ask for the Lord to heal you, but you may not find any break from your feelings of grief. If this sounds like you, reach out to a grief counselor, medical professional, or minister to help you sort through your feelings. It takes a strong person to admit that they need help.
Bible Verse About a Friend’s Death
You may be closer to some of your friends then you are to members of your family. You may feel devastated over the loss of a friend. Here are some Bible verses to help you work your way through your grief.
16. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
This verse from Paul’s letter to the Corinthians promises that God will comfort those in affliction. Your sorrow may be from illness, an estranged relationship, or the death of a friend. The Bible teaches that God’s comforting presence has no bounds.
17. 2 Corinthians 7:7
Apparently, the Corinthians needed much support. Again, in 2 Corinthians, Paul describes God as one “who comforts the downcast.”
18. Psalm 56:8
God knows when we are suffering. In fact, this verse from Psalm says that God collects our tears in his bottle and records them in his book.
19. Romans 12:15
We are instructed to “mourn with those who mourn.” This would be an appropriate verse to share in a memorial service announcement, and one that is important to remember if you recently lost a friend.
That’s one of the reasons we have funeral service—so we can be with others who are suffering as we are.
20. Matthew 17:3-4
If you and your friend were both Christian, the Bible promises that you will be reunited someday in Heaven. This verse from Matthew shows that we will recognize our friends and family members in the afterlife. This may give you comfort as well.
Other Words of Comfort
There are many other online resources on finding specific verses in the Bible. Look for online concordances to find a particular passage that you may be having trouble locating.
During your time of grief, reach out to others around you. Share stories about the person you lost. Keep your loved one’s memory alive.