Scripture Readings for Funerals

Scripture Readings may be accessed at:

Old Testament Readings

C-12 Maccabees 12:43-46
... if he were not expecting the fallen to rise again, it would have been useless and foolish to pray for them in death...

C-2Job 19:1, 23-27a
But as for me, I know that my Vindicator lives

C-3Wisdom 3: 1-9 or Wisdom 3: 1-6,9 (short version)
The souls of the just are in the hands of God ... because grace and mercy are with his holy ones and his care is with his elect.

C-4Wisdom 4:7-15
The just man, though he die early, shall be at rest ... For the age that is honorable comes not with the passing of time, nor can it be measured in years...

C-5Isaiah 25: 6a, 7-9
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will provide for all peoples .... The Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces.

C-6Lamentations 3: 17-26
The favors of the Lord are not exhausted ...

C-7Daniel 12:1-3
... the wise shall shine brightly like the splendor of the firmament and those who lead the many to justice shall be like the stars forever.

During Easter Season

C-8Acts of the Apostles 10:34-43orActs 10:34-36, 42-43 (short version)
In truth, I see that God shows no partiality …

C-9Revelation 14:13
… blest are the dead who die in the Lord …21:1
… I saw a new heaven and a new earth …

C-11Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7
Behold, I make all things new…

New Testament Readings

E-1Romans 5:5-11
Hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts.

E-2Romans 5:17-21
... where sin increased, grace overflowed all the more.

E-3Romans 6: 3-9 (or shorter version: Romans 6:3-4,8-9)
... if then we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him ...

E-4Romans 8:14-23
... The Spirit itself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God ... and heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ ...

E-5Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39
If God is for us, who can be against us?

E-6Romans 14:7-9,10c-12
No one lives for oneself, and no one dies for oneself ...

E-71 Corinthians 15:20-28 (or shorter version: 1 Corinthians 15:20-23)
Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep ...

E-81 Corinthians 15:51-57
The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

E-92 Corinthians 4:14-5:1
For we know that if our earthly dwelling, a tent, should be destroyed, we have a building from God, a dwelling not made by hands, eternal in heaven.

E-102 Corinthians 5:1,6-10
... we walk by faith and not by sight ...

E-11Philippians 3:20-21
Our citizenship is in heaven ...

E-121 Thessalonians 4:13-18 We do not want you to be unaware ... about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest ...

E-132 Timothy 2:8-13
If we have died with him we shall also rise with him ...

E-141 John 3:1-2...
Beloved, we are God’s children now ...

E-151 John 3:14-16
... whoever does not love remains in death ...

Gospel

G-1Matthew 5:1-12a
Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of heaven... Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.

G-2Matthew 11:25-30
Come to me ... I will give you rest ...

G-3Matthew 25: 1-13
... stay awake, for you know neither the day nor the hour ...

G-4 Matthew 25:31-46
... come to me all who are blessed by my Father ...

G-5Matthew 15:33-39; 16:1-6 (or shorter version: Matthew 15:33-39)
This man truly was the Son of God!

G-6Luke 7:11-17
Young man, I say to you, “Arise.”

G-7Luke 12:35-40
You ... must be prepared, for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.

G-8Luke 23:33, 39-43
... Today you will be with me in paradise.

G-9Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53; 24:1-6a (shorter version: Luke 23:44-46, 50, 52-53) Father, into your hands I commend my spirit ...

G-10Luke 24:13-35 (shorter version: Luke 24:13-16, 28-35)
... the two recounted what had taken place on the way and how he was made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

G-11John 5:24-29
... whoever hears my word and believes has passed from death to life ...

G-12John 6:37-40
For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him on the last day.

G-13John 6:51-59
I am the living bread that came down from heaven ...

G-14John 11: 17-27 (short version: John 11:21-27)
I am the resurrection and the life ...

G-15John 11:32-45
Lazarus, come out!

G-16 John 12:23-28 (short version: John 12:23-26)
... unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground ...

G-17John 14:1-6
Do not let your hearts be troubled ...

G-18John 17:24-26
... I wish that where I am they also may be with me...

G-19John 19:17-18, 25-39
... It is finished. And, bowing his head, he handed over the Spirit.