Old Testament Scriptures for Funerals in 2025
You don’t have to be deeply religious to appreciate the way scripture speaks to grief. When someone passes, we look for words that feel honest. Words that acknowledge the weight of it all without rushing to explain it away.
The Old Testament has those kinds of verses. They’re ancient, yes. But they’re also poetic, raw, and surprisingly relatable. These scriptures don’t ignore sorrow or try to smooth it over. They sit with it. They make space for it.
Whether you’re planning a funeral, writing a eulogy, or just trying to get through the next hour, these passages can offer something solid to hold onto. Not because they have all the answers, but because they’ve been helping people wrestle with the same questions for a very long time.
Too Long; Didn’t Read: Old Testament Scriptures for Funerals
Psalm 23 is the one most people turn to. It speaks to peace, presence, and the idea that we don’t go through the valley alone.
Ecclesiastes 3 reminds us that grief is part of life. That it has a place, just like joy does.
Isaiah 41 offers strength when you feel like falling apart.
Job holds space for suffering, but also for hope.
These funeral scriptures are chosen because they don’t flinch. They name the pain — and make room for something beyond it.
Why Old Testament Scriptures Still Show Up at Funerals
The Old Testament is one of the oldest collections of writing we have. And yet, when someone passes, we still find ourselves turning to it.
Some people turn to it because of tradition. Others, because it feels familiar. And some, because when you’re deep in grief, you want something that’s stood the test of time. These verses have been read by people for centuries during some of life’s hardest moments.
They talk about fear. About sadness. About the unknown. But they also point to love, memory, and the kind of peace that doesn’t need to be explained. Whether you believe in God, follow Jesus, or are just looking for something comforting to read at a funeral, these Old Testament scriptures still hold up.
Common Old Testament Funeral Scriptures
Psalm 23:1-4
The Lord is my shepherd… Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.
Why it’s chosen:
This is one of the most common funeral Bible verses for a reason. It’s calm. Grounded. And it offers the idea that even in the darkest times, we’re not alone. Some people read it as a message of faith in the Lord. Others, as a promise of peace that holds up no matter what you believe.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
For everything there is a season… a time to be born, and a time to die… a time to mourn, and a time to dance.
Why it’s chosen:
This passage gives permission. It reminds people that there is a time to mourn. That grief is part of the rhythm of life. And that maybe, just maybe, joy can come back when you’re ready.
Isaiah 41:10
Do not fear, for I am with you… I will strengthen you and help you.
Why it’s chosen:
This is one of those testament funeral scriptures that people read when the ground feels unsteady. Whether you take it as the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ or simply as reassurance that you’re not going through this alone, it offers something steady to hold onto.
Job 19:25-27
I know that my Redeemer lives… and after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.
Why it’s chosen:
Job’s story is one of deep loss. And yet this verse is about hope — even when everything else is gone. For Christians, it’s a reminder of eternal life through Christ Jesus. For anyone else, it’s a quiet stand for hope, against all odds.
Isaiah 25:8
He will swallow up death forever. The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.
Why it’s chosen:
Sometimes people choose this verse because it sounds like a promise. Not that pain will disappear today, but that death doesn’t get the final word.
Other Old Testament Scriptures to Consider
Isaiah 61:1-3 — Comfort for those who mourn.
Genesis 37:34-35 — A raw and human expression of grief.
Job 14:14 — A quiet question about life after death.
Psalms of Lament (Psalm 6 or Psalm 31) — Honest words for when you have no words.
These aren’t the kinds of funeral scriptures that wrap things up neatly. But they do speak with honesty. And sometimes that’s exactly what people need.
How to Choose the Right Funeral Bible Verses
There’s no formula. But here are a few things that might help:
What would have felt right to the person who passed?
Were they spiritual? Did they appreciate poetry? Were they someone who leaned into hard truths instead of avoiding them?Who’s in the room?
If you’re reading these aloud, think about who’s listening. Some verses are comforting to anyone. Others reference God, eternal life, or the one and only Son — which might be meaningful to some and unfamiliar to others.You don’t have to pretend.
If hope feels far away right now, choose a verse that holds space for grief. If you believe in eternal life, let that come through. There’s no one right way to do this.
Quick Guide: Popular Old Testament Funeral Scriptures
| Scripture | Theme | Why People Choose It |
|---|---|---|
| Psalm 23 | Peace, comfort | A calm and familiar presence in hard times |
| Ecclesiastes | Timing, reflection | Accepts grief as part of life’s rhythm |
| Isaiah 41:10 | Strength, presence | Offers reassurance when things feel shaky |
| Job 19:25 | Hope, eternal life | A stand for hope in the face of loss |
| Isaiah 25:8 | Overcoming death | Suggests death does not have the last word |
Can You Use Old Testament Verses in Non-Religious Funerals?
Yes. Many people do.
Not every verse has to reference the Lord Jesus Christ or eternal life to be meaningful. Some scriptures are chosen simply because they feel human. They name emotions that are hard to say out loud. They offer language for sorrow. And they give people permission to feel it.
Final Thought: Funeral Scriptures Don’t Need to Be Perfect
There’s no perfect verse. No single line that makes everything okay. But sometimes, reading words that have lasted for thousands of years reminds us that we’re not the first ones to feel this way — and we won’t be the last.
Whether you find comfort in God’s love or just want something that sounds like it understands what you’re going through, these Old Testament scriptures for funerals might help. Not because they fix the pain. But because they make space for it.
Frequently Asked Questions: Old Testament Funeral Bible Verses
1. What are the best Old Testament scriptures for funerals?
Psalm 23, Ecclesiastes 3, Isaiah 41:10, Job 19:25, and Isaiah 25:8 are some of the most commonly read scriptures at funerals.
2. Do these verses mention Jesus Christ?
The Old Testament doesn’t reference Jesus Christ directly, but some Christians see verses like Job 19 as pointing toward Christ Jesus and the hope of eternal life.
3. Can I use these scriptures if I’m not religious?
Absolutely. Many Old Testament scriptures reflect universal experiences like grief, love, and resilience. Whether or not you follow a specific faith, these verses can still speak to you.
4. What if the person who passed didn’t follow a religion?
That’s okay. Focus on verses that feel honest or that reflect the kind of life they lived. The right passage doesn’t need to be religious. It just needs to feel true.
5. Are there verses about resurrection or the afterlife?
Yes. Job 19:25-27 and Isaiah 25:8 are often read as verses about hope beyond death. Christian readers may connect them with the promise of eternal life through the one and only Son.
