Old Testament Scriptures for Funerals: Comfort and Hope from God’s Word

There is no magical cure that can heal the heart of someone grieving the loved one. However, in such moments, we can always find people, words, or faith that can help us go through the pain. When you believe in God’s words, you can find peace in His presence and assure yourself that the one you love has gone to a better place. 

In these painful days and moments, the funeral is the time you actually start processing what really happened in your life. That’s why it’s very important to find a safe place in God’s words and remind yourself, the one you miss so much already is going to live eternally. To find even a little bit of comfort, Old Testament Scriptures for Funerals can be a helpful way.

Why Choose Old Testament Scriptures for a Funeral?

For those mourning the loss of a loved one, the little but meaningful act of reading a passage from the Bible during the funeral can bring hope, comfort, and peace. When it comes to Old Testament scriptures for memorial services, they can provide a wealth of knowledge, motivation, and comfort that can be especially significant for people who draw strength from the Christian and Jewish traditions and beliefs. If you’re looking for some best Old Testament funeral readings, you’ve come to the right place.

The Old Testament holds a special kind of comfort during times of loss. Its words have carried people through grief for thousands of years, offering strength and peace when they’re needed most. Many of its verses spark faith, hope, and the promise that love and memory never fade, even after someone is gone.

Passages like Psalm 23 – “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want” – can give someone a sense of calm and belief that we’re not alone in our pain. Others speak of God’s faithfulness, reminding us to trust that there is meaning and mercy even in sorrow.

The Old Testament scriptures for funerals are powerful because their words still touch people’s hearts today. Even though it was written a very long time ago, its messages of comfort, love, and hope never get old. They help us remember those we’ve lost, find peace in the moment, and look forward with faith.

---

Comforting Old Testament Scriptures for Funerals

• Psalm 23:1–4 — “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; Your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” 

The main point we need to get from this verse is that God lovingly guides and protects us, even through the darkest times. Such words bring peace to grieving hearts, which shows that we are never alone in our worst days.

• Ecclesiastes 3:1–4 — “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

What is the most important knowledge to get from such Old Testament passages about death and hope?! – Every moment in our lives has its purpose. This should help us understand the natural rhythm of life and death properly.

• Isaiah 41:10 — “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

We have to be brave and find courage in ourselves to go through such pain. For even in our weakest moments, we are not abandoned.

• Psalm 34:18 — “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

You can feel the presence of God closer when you’re hurting. He speaks directly to the pain of loss and brings comfort through His care.

• Job 19:25–27 — “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me.”

Such scriptures for mourning from the Old Testament remind us to have faith even in deep suffering. We have to believe that life and hope continue beyond what we see.

• Psalm 46:1–2 — “God is our refuge and strength, and ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, through the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.

Even if the world feels too heavy for you, you can always find safety in these words. God’s power and presence can always bring peace to your soul.

• Lamentations 3:22–23 — “Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

Even in sadness, we should remember God’s endless love and renewal. Each new day brings mercy, which gives us the strength to keep going through life.

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

When we don’t understand life’s hardships and often think about why a specific thing happened to us, we need to lean on God. He helps us find direction and peace through trust.

• Isaiah 40:31 — “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Our faith and belief in God can restore us. Even when we feel weak, God will give us the strength to rise again.

How to Use These Scriptures in a Funeral or Memorial Service

Bible verses from the Old Testament about grief can bring peace to a funeral or memorial. They help express love, comfort, and hope when words are hard to find. It’s not easy to speak about the person at their funeral; it often gets very emotional and hard to express your feelings. That’s where the scriptures can help you show your feelings toward this person and let everyone know what your loved one meant to you.

You can read them during prayers or readings, or print them on funeral programs so guests can reflect on them later. They also work beautifully on memorial cards or bookmarks that people can keep as a small reminder of faith and comfort.

If you’re writing a eulogy or tribute, including a verse can make your message feel even more heartfelt and personal. 

You can also use Honor You’s memorial products to preserve these meaningful scriptures. You can print on a keepsake, create a memory book, or custom design; in any case, they’re an emotional way to keep your loved one’s memory and favorite verses close forever.

Selecting the Right Scripture for Your Loved One

When you need to choose the Old Testament scriptures for funerals, you need to think about the beliefs and values of your loved one. You have to find words in different verses that truly show one’s spirit, faith, and the life they lived. Think about the messages that would have spoken to their heart – words of comfort, strength, or hope they would have loved. 

You can also ask for a recommendation to a pastor, priest, or a family member, especially if they knew your loved one well or understand the tone you want for the service. This can help you make the memorial more personalized and let guests remember your loved one in the most beautiful way.

Some families often choose comforting Old Testament verses for funerals that show the kindness and faith of the person. However, others may choose passages that bring peace and hope for people who are left behind. If you want to create a balanced message, you can combine the Old and New Testaments scriptures to honor remembrance and eternal life. 

Personalized Bible readings for funerals always make the ceremony more meaningful and help keep your loved one’s memory alive beautifully and emotionally.

Closing Thoughts

Losing someone is a kind of pain that can hardly be healed. In such times, we always need and look for something that can ease our pain or make us feel at peace. That’s why we often use funeral scriptures for comfort, just to remind ourselves that we’re never alone. God’s love, comfort, and promises can give us peace, even in our hardest moments. If we follow His words, we’ll never fall apart and be alone in our grief or pain. The Old Testament shows His faithfulness, and the New Testament gives people hope of eternal life. These words help many people heal their hearts and remind everyone that love never truly ends; it lives on in God’s care.

If you’d like to include a meaningful verse in your memorial cards or programs, Honor You offers custom printed memorial products that beautifully capture the words of faith and remembrance.