This page may contain affiliate links. If you choose to interact with or purchase from another business, we may receive payment. Learn more.
The simple, but profound, act of reading a scripture from the Bible at a funeral can provide comfort, hope, and a sense of peace to those grieving the loss of a loved one. In the case of Old Testament scriptures, they offer a rich source of wisdom, inspiration, and solace that can be particularly meaningful for those who find strength in the teachings and traditions of Judaism and Christianity. If you’re in search of an Old Testament scripture to read at a funeral, you’ve come to the right place.
Many funerals often feature both religious and non-religious readings. Reading an Old Testament scripture at Catholic (or non-religious) funerals can offer comfort and solace to mourners, as these passages offer words of hope, reassurance, and wisdom during an incredibly difficult time. These scriptures can also help to provide a sense of continuity and connection with the past, as they are part of a long tradition of Jewish and Christian funeral practices. Additionally, for those who hold strong religious beliefs, reading an Old Testament scripture can provide a sense of spiritual guidance and support.
When reading from the Old Testament for a funeral, it can be difficult to pick which scripture is a "good" one. There are many Old Testament scriptures that are generally considered appropriate for a funeral, as they offer comfort, hope, and assurance of God's love and care during times of grief and loss. Some of the most commonly used Old Testament scriptures for funerals include Psalm 23, Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, Isaiah 41:10, and Job 19:25-27, among others that you’ll find below. Additionally, choosing an Old Testament funeral reading for funerals can be focused on positives, faith, uplifting others, and more. Ultimately, the choice of scripture will depend on personal preference, cultural and religious traditions, and the specific needs of the mourners.
When selecting funeral scriptures from the Old Testament, you can choose any version. Old Testament scriptures for funerals do not need to be from the King James Version (KJV) specifically. Any version of the Bible can be used, as long as it is translated accurately and conveys the intended message. Different translations may offer slightly different wording and phrasing, but the overall meaning and significance of the scripture should remain the same.
The following list gives you a ton of options from the Old Testament and can be a great starting point for those who want to intersperse shorter verses throughout their readings at the funeral. These Old Testament readings are great for funerals as they offer words of comfort, hope, and assurance during times of grief and loss. Some of these Old Testament funeral readings would be great for a mother or father.
If you don’t have access to a Bible at home and want to look up the fuller version of these scriptures, you can use sites like Bible Gateway as a resource.
If you’re looking for something a little longer, consider using some of these Psalms as the Old Testament scripture you read at the funeral. These scriptures are longer and can help provide attendees with a sense of comfort, strength, and hope for the future.
"The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked advance against me to devour me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall. Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. 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, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple."
"In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God."
"Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom; in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth without knowing whose it will finally be. But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you."
"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."
"Within your temple, O God, we meditate on your unfailing love. Like your name, O God, your praise reaches to the ends of the earth; your right hand is filled with righteousness. Mount Zion rejoices, the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments. Walk about Zion, go around her, count her towers, consider well her ramparts, view her citadels, that you may tell of them to the next generation. For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end."
"You, God, are my God, earnestly I seek you; I thirst for you, my whole being longs for you, in a dry and parched land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. I will be fully satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. I cling to you; your right hand upholds me."
"I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead, nor will you let your faithful one see decay. You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."
No matter which verses you choose to include in the service, you can feel confident that they serve as a source of comfort, hope, and inspiration to some of your loved ones in attendance and can help provide a sense of closure and peace during a difficult time of grief and loss.
If you or a loved one has lost a loved one and needs help planning a service, Ever Loved is here to help. Ever Loved offers free memorial websites and resources to help plan a funeral for your loved ones. These free, easy to use and quick to set up memorial websites also come with a checklist, covering all the important steps you need to take after losing a loved one.