Funeral services are times of deep sorrow but also moments to find solace and hope in God’s promises. New Testament readings offer comforting words that can help mourners find peace and assurance in the love of Christ. In this post, we will explore 33 New Testament funeral readings that are perfect for honoring a loved one’s memory and offering comfort to those in mourning.
Table of Contents
| Verse Reference | Key Verse | Description |
|---|---|---|
| John 14:1-3 | Do not let your hearts be troubled. | Assurance of eternal life in Christ. |
| Romans 8:38-39 | Nothing can separate us from God’s love. | God’s unbreakable love. |
| 2 Timothy 4:7-8 | I have fought the good fight. | A life well-lived in faith. |
John 14:1-3 – Assurance of Eternal Life
Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 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.
This passage offers profound comfort by reminding us of the promise of eternal life with Christ.
Romans 8:38-39 – Unbreakable Love of God
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.
A powerful affirmation of God’s enduring love, no matter the circumstances.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 – A Life Well-Lived
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.
A tribute to a life lived in faith, awaiting the reward of righteousness.
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 – Hope for the Believers
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For 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.
This verse provides hope and assurance for those mourning the loss of a believer.
Revelation 21:4 – No More Death or Mourning
‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
A beautiful promise of a future without suffering, where God Himself provides comfort.
Philippians 3:20-21 – Our Citizenship in Heaven
But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
A reminder of our heavenly home and the transformation awaiting us.
John 11:25-26 – The Resurrection and the Life
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. Do you believe this?”
Jesus’ assurance of eternal life for those who believe in Him.
2 Corinthians 5:1 – Our Heavenly Dwelling
For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
This verse offers comfort in the promise of a heavenly dwelling after our earthly life.
Matthew 5:4 – Blessed are Those Who Mourn
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Jesus’ words offering comfort to those who grieve.
Romans 14:8 – Belonging to the Lord
If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.
A reminder that in life and in death, we are the Lord’s.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52 – The Last Trumpet
Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed—in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
A promise of transformation at the return of Christ.
Romans 8:18 – Future Glory
I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.
A verse that provides hope by pointing to the future glory that awaits believers.
Matthew 11:28-30 – Rest for the Weary
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.
Jesus’ invitation to find rest and comfort in Him.
1 Peter 1:3-4 – A Living Hope
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you.
This passage highlights the living hope and eternal inheritance we have through Christ.
Hebrews 13:14 – Our Lasting City
For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.
A reminder that our ultimate home is in the eternal city prepared by God.
John 14:27 – Peace I Leave with You
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
Jesus’ promise of peace to His followers.
Revelation 14:13 – Blessed Are the Dead Who Die in the Lord
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, “Write this: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.” “Yes,” says the Spirit, “they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them.”
A comforting assurance of rest for those who die in the Lord.
Romans 6:5 – United with Christ in Resurrection
For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.
This verse underscores the promise of resurrection for believers.
1 Thessalonians 5:10 – Alive with Him
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
A promise of life with Christ, whether in life or death.
Revelation 7:16-17 – The Lamb at the Center
‘Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst. The sun will not beat down on them,’ nor any scorching heat. For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; ‘he will lead them to springs of living water.’ ‘And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’
A vision of the eternal comfort provided by the Lamb, Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:17-18 – Eternal Glory
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
An encouragement to focus on the eternal glory rather than present troubles.
Philippians 1:21 – To Live is Christ
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.
A declaration of the apostle Paul’s view on life and death in Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:20 – Christ, the Firstfruits
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.
A celebration of Christ’s resurrection and the promise of our own.
1 John 3:2 – Children of God
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.
A verse about our identity as children of God and the future transformation.
Romans 5:5 – God’s Love Poured Out
And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
A reminder of the hope and love poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
**Hebrews 4:9-10 – Sabbath
Rest for God’s People**
There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his.
A promise of eternal rest for the people of God.
John 5:24 – Crossing from Death to Life
Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.
An assurance of eternal life for those who believe in Jesus.
2 Peter 1:11 – Welcome into the Eternal Kingdom
And you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
A promise of a warm welcome into the eternal kingdom of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:55-57 – Victory Over Death
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
A declaration of victory over death through Christ.
Colossians 3:4 – Glory with Christ
When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
A promise of sharing in Christ’s glory.
John 6:40 – Eternal Life Through the Son
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.
A promise of eternal life for believers.
Romans 8:11 – Life Through His Spirit
And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.
A verse about the life-giving power of the Holy Spirit.
Revelation 22:5 – Reigning Forever
There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.
A vision of eternal life in God’s presence.
These 33 New Testament funeral readings provide comfort, hope, and assurance of God’s promises. They offer solace to those grieving and affirm the eternal life that awaits believers. May these Scriptures uplift your spirit and provide peace as you honor the memory of your loved one.
Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. John 10:14-16 I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep.
SECOND READING – NEW TESTAMENT
E8 – 1 Corinthians 15: 51-57 “Death where is your victory?” E9 – 2 Corinthians 4: 15-5:1 “The one who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us…” E10 – 2 Corinthians 5: 1, 6-10 “We would rather leave the body and go home…” E11 – Philippians 3: 20-21 “He will change our lowly body…”
Seven uplifting funeral readings to bring hope to those left…
A classic. Death is Nothing at All by Henry Scott-Holland. …
Something stellar. A Clear Midnight by Walt Whitman. …
Modern melancholy. Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden. …
Summoning strength. …
