The Old Testament, filled with profound truths and divine wisdom, offers comfort and strength during times of loss. For those mourning the death of a loved one, the Scriptures provide assurance of God‘s presence, reminders of His promises, and words that reflect the human experience of grief and hope. Whether used in funeral services, memorial reflections, or personal devotions, these 30 Old Testament scriptures offer peace and solace for the grieving soul.

30 Funeral Scriptures from the Old Testament

1. 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.

This beloved passage is often recited at funerals for its reassurance of God’s guidance and protection, even in the darkest moments. It assures mourners that God walks with them through grief and promises restoration and peace.

2. Isaiah 41:10

Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Isaiah‘s message emphasizes God’s unwavering support during distress. In the face of loss, this verse assures the grieving that God’s presence brings strength and stability.

3. 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…

This poetic reflection helps mourners understand that death is a natural part of life’s cycle. It teaches acceptance of life’s seasons and encourages peace amid sorrow.

4. Psalm 34:18

The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

This short but powerful verse assures the grieving that God is especially close to those whose hearts are shattered by loss. It offers hope and spiritual rescue in mourning.

5. Job 19:25-27

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…

Job’s declaration of faith in the midst of suffering is a powerful reminder that hope in God transcends death. It points to a future resurrection and eternal life.

6. Lamentations 3:22-23

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.

Though written in a time of national mourning, these verses proclaim God’s unending compassion. They remind the grieving of God’s fresh mercies every day, even after loss.

7. Psalm 116:15

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.

This verse teaches that the death of the faithful is not meaningless or forgotten. God holds the lives and deaths of His people as precious and sacred.

8. Isaiah 25:8

He will swallow up death in victory; and the Lord God will wipe away tears from off all faces…

This prophecy foreshadows the ultimate defeat of death and offers hope that God will personally bring comfort to those who mourn.

9. Deuteronomy 31:6

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.

Originally spoken to the Israelites, this verse is also comforting during funerals, reminding the living that God walks beside them and never abandons them.

10. Psalm 90:12

So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.

This reflection on mortality encourages people to live purposefully. At funerals, it calls us to live with awareness, compassion, and a sense of eternity.

11. Genesis 3:19

In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.

This ancient verse affirms the natural end of earthly life, reminding us of human fragility. It is a solemn but honest reflection during a funeral ceremony.

12. 2 Samuel 12:22-23

…I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.

David speaks these words after the death of his child. They reflect acceptance and hope of reunion in the afterlife, comforting those who long for lost loved ones.

13. Psalm 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

This verse assures mourners that God tends to the emotional wounds of grief. His healing work is not only physical but deeply spiritual and personal.

14. Proverbs 3:5-6

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

Loss often brings confusion, but this passage encourages trust in God’s guidance, especially when human understanding falls short in the face of death.

15. Psalm 30:5

…weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

Grief is deep and real, but this verse brings assurance that sorrow is not forever. God promises renewed joy and hope after seasons of mourning.

16. Psalm 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.

This psalm reminds mourners to look to God as their ultimate source of strength and comfort. In times of death, it’s a powerful affirmation that divine help comes from the Creator Himself.

17. Isaiah 40:31

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

This promise of renewed strength brings great encouragement to grieving hearts. While mourning can exhaust the soul, God promises to sustain and lift up those who trust Him.

18. Psalm 46:1-2

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed…

During times of emotional earthquakes like death, this verse reminds us that God is a steady refuge. It reassures mourners of divine support when everything else seems shaken.

19. Isaiah 57:1-2

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart… he shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

This often-overlooked passage reveals that sometimes the righteous die to be spared from future evil. It portrays death as peaceful rest and can bring comfort to those left behind.

20. Psalm 73:26

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.

In seasons of profound loss, this verse reminds us that even when human strength fails, God’s sustaining power remains eternal. He becomes our portion and inheritance.

21. Ecclesiastes 7:2

It is better to go to the house of mourning, than to go to the house of feasting: for that is the end of all men; and the living will lay it to his heart.

This wise saying encourages reflection on death’s reality. Funerals serve as reminders to the living to live purposefully and value life through the lens of eternity.

22. Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless thee, and keep thee: The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

Often spoken as a benediction, these words can offer peace and blessing over a departed soul or comfort to the bereaved. They invoke God’s grace and presence in times of farewell.

23. Psalm 37:39

But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord: he is their strength in the time of trouble.

Salvation and strength in grief come from God alone. This verse reassures the mourners that God stands by those who belong to Him, especially in their darkest hours.

24. Genesis 5:24

And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

This mysterious verse reveals God’s close relationship with Enoch, who did not experience a traditional death. It suggests that death is not the end for those who walk closely with God.

25. Psalm 31:24

Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.

In the face of death, courage can feel distant. Yet this verse offers assurance that the Lord strengthens those who keep their hope anchored in Him.

26. 1 Kings 2:2-3

I go the way of all the earth: be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man; And keep the charge of the Lord thy God…

Spoken by King David to Solomon before his death, these words serve as a noble call to continue faithfully after someone’s passing, honoring their life by walking in God’s ways.

27. Psalm 4:8

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.

This verse offers a tranquil image of death as peaceful rest in the presence of God. It’s comforting for those who see their loved one’s death as falling asleep in the Lord.

28. Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee… they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned…

Grief often feels like drowning or burning—but this promise from God assures us of His presence in every trial. He walks with us through the agony of loss and grief.

29. Psalm 55:22

Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

This verse invites the grieving to unload their sorrow onto God. He promises to sustain them and never let them be shaken beyond endurance.

30. Isaiah 66:13

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

This tender image of divine comfort parallels the nurturing of a mother. It assures mourners that God’s comfort is deeply personal, compassionate, and complete.

Final Thoughts

In moments of grief, the Old Testament provides timeless truth, strength, and reassurance. These 30 scriptures reflect the spectrum of human emotion during loss—from sorrow and fear to faith and peace. Each verse reveals God’s eternal character and His nearness to the brokenhearted. For further reflection and structured learning, explore Bible Guides or deepen your understanding through Bible Study Online. May God’s Word continue to be your comfort and hope in every season of mourning.