Bible Verses for Funerals & Memorial Services

A 7-Day Bereavement Reading Pack

For a grieving family in the week around a funeral, or to give with a sympathy card.

How to use this pack

• •One page a day. If a day is too much, sit with the verse alone.
• •There is no right answer to any prompt. Half-finished sentences are fine.
• •Give the pack to someone grieving instead of asking them how they are.

1. Day 1

   God is near

   Psalm 23:1-4

   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. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.Psalm 23:1-4 (KJV)

   Prompt: The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart. Where have you felt nearness this week, even briefly — and where have you only felt absence?

   The printed pack leaves writing space here.

2. Day 2

   Permission to weep

   John 14:1-3

   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. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.John 14:1-3 (KJV)

   Prompt: Jesus wept at a grave he was about to open. What have you not let yourself cry about yet?

   The printed pack leaves writing space here.

3. Day 3

   Remembering

   Revelation 21:4

   And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.Revelation 21:4 (KJV)

   Prompt: Write down one thing about them that nobody else would think to say at the service.

   The printed pack leaves writing space here.

4. Day 4

   The valley

   Romans 8:38-39

   For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.Romans 8:38-39 (KJV)

   Prompt: Psalm 23 says through the valley, not around it. What does 'through' mean for you this week — one small thing you will still do?

   The printed pack leaves writing space here.

5. Day 5

   Hope beyond the grave

   1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

   But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 (KJV)

   Prompt: What do you actually believe about where they are? Write it plainly, doubts included.

   The printed pack leaves writing space here.

6. Day 6

   Comfort to give

   2 Corinthians 5:8

   We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.2 Corinthians 5:8 (KJV)

   Prompt: Who else is grieving this loss and being overlooked? Reach out to one of them.

   The printed pack leaves writing space here.

7. Day 7

   Carrying it forward

   John 11:25-26

   Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.John 11:25-26 (KJV)

   Prompt: What will you keep doing in their memory? Choose something small and repeatable.

   The printed pack leaves writing space here.