Biblical Texts and Verses for Funerals

A church burial, also called funeral, allows for a wide selection of texts and Bible verses, which we'll explore in this article.

The Liturgy of the Word During Church Funerals

In Catholic funeral liturgies, the Word service includes:

• First Reading

• Psalm

• Gospel Reading

The funeral liturgy offers extensive text choices, as shown below.

First Reading Options for Church Funerals

• Job 19:1, 23-27a

• Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9

• Wisdom 2:23; 3:1-6,9

• Lamentations 3:16-26

• Romans 6:3-9

• Romans 8:18-23

• Romans 8:31b-35,37-39

• Romans 14:7-9,10c-12

• 1 Corinthians 15:1-5,11

• 1 Corinthians 15:12,16-20

• 1 Corinthians 15:51-54,57

• 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14,17d-18

• 2 Timothy 2:8-13

• 1 John 3:14,16-20

• 1 John 4:7-10

• Revelation 21:1-5a,6b-7

Notable verses from these readings:
"He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth." (Isaiah 25:8)
"The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace." (Wisdom 3:1–3)
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38–39)
"But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either." (1 Corinthians 15:12–13)
"We believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. And so we will be with the Lord forever." (1 Thessalonians 4:14)
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain." (Revelation 21:4)

Discover more verses for comfort and strength in times of trial.

Psalm Options for Church Funerals

• Psalm 4

• Psalm 22 (23)

• Psalm 26 (27)

• Psalm 33 (34)

• Psalm 85 (86)

• Psalm 102 (103)

• Psalm 129 (130)

Notable verses from these Psalms:
"Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever." (Psalm 23:6)
"One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life." (Psalm 27:4)
"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities." (Psalm 103:8–10)

Gospel Reading Options for Church Funerals

• Matthew 5:1-12

• Matthew 11:25-28

• Matthew 25:31-46

• Mark 15:33-34a,37-39; 16:1-6

• Luke 12:35-38,40

• Luke 23:33-34,39-46,50-53

• Luke 24:13-35

• John 3:16-17

• John 6:37-40

• John 6:51-58

• John 11:17-27

• John 11:32-45

• John 12:24-28

• John 14:1-6

• John 17:1-3,24-26

• John 19:17ab,18,25-30

Notable verses from these Gospels:
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16)
"For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day." (John 6:40)
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live forever." (John 6:51)
"Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’" (John 11:25–26)
"Anyone who loves their life will lose it, while anyone who hates their life in this world will keep it for eternal life. Whoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be." (John 12:25–26)
"My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." (John 14:2–3)

Pray for Your Deceased Loved Ones with Hozana

On Hozana, join prayer communities to entrust departed loved ones to God:

• Pray for the Dying and release of Holy Souls

• Noven for the Dead

FAQ: Biblical Texts for Funerals

Which Bible verse is suitable for a death announcement?

A comforting verse offering hope when announcing the loss of a loved one comes from John's Gospel:
"Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.’" (John 11:25–26)

Who reads Bible texts at a Catholic funeral?

• First Reading & Psalm: May be read by a family member or friend of the deceased.

• Gospel: Read by a priest, deacon, or parish bereavement minister.

Can non-Biblical texts be used in Catholic funerals?

While Scripture readings are central to the funeral liturgy, non-Biblical texts (poems, reflections) may be included before or after the formal service, subject to the priest’s approval.