Comforting Bible Verses for Death and Grief

Grief is an unavoidable reality in life. Sooner or later it will come knocking at your door. When it does, no trite truism or positive quote on a coffee mug is going to be enough to get you through. It’s one thing to think about persisting in faith through grief, but it is a very different experience to persist in faith through grief.

C.S. Lewis speaks to this truth while coming to terms with the death of his wife. He says, “We were promised sufferings. They were part of the program. We were even told, “Blessed are they that mourn,” and I accept it. I’ve got nothing that I hadn’t bargained for. Of course, it is different when the thing happens to oneself, not to others, and in reality, not imagination.” (A Grief Observed)

In moments of grief, our pain and emotions can feel unbearable. The strength of our faith (up until this point only imagined) may turn out to be far weaker than we first guessed. But weakness doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of faith.

As Paul recounts, “‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)

To feel weak in grief is an opportunity, an opportunity to turn toward or away from God. Will our grief draw us into greater dependence or greater bitterness toward God?

One way we can connect to God and draw comfort from him in times of grief is by reading Bible verses about grief. Since death is an unavoidable and serious part of life, there are many Scriptures about death. For example, there are quite a few verses about the death of a loved one.

If you are walking through a time of pain and loss, hopefully, this list of Bible verses about grief will help you process what you are experiencing.

A Verse About the Passing of a Loved One

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. – 1 Thessalonians 4:13

This is a powerful verse about the death of a loved one. When Christians mourn, they don’t mourn without hope. The process of mourning is important. Feeling your pain and emotions is an important part of the healing process.

But, unlike the world, Christians do not mourn as if they will never be reunited with their loved one. Instead, they mourn processing the pain and injustice of death, while remembering that there is more than this lifetime, and Christ has brought us eternal life.

Rethinking the Good Life

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. – Matthew 5:4

Jesus declares this in his famous Sermon on the Mount. The passage may sound bizarre at first. Why are the ones who mourn blessed? But in this teaching, Jesus is reversing the concept of the good life. Rather than pursuing money, honor, acclaim, success, and the comforts of life, the good life is found in the kingdom of God.

It is not in the wealth, power, or ease of this world that you will find meaning, but in humility, faith, and pain. Mourning keeps us dependent on God and draws us close to where he can comfort us. This is a difficult, but important truth, to remember as Christians. However, while it is difficult to realize we will experience suffering, it is also a profound promise that God will be there to comfort us.

Transformational Grief

May God, the source of hope, fill you with all joy and peace by means of your faith in him, so that your hope will continue to grow by the power of the Holy Spirit. – Romans 15:13

This passage speaks to the truth of our transformation. In times of grief, we may not feel this truth, but it is still happening. As we walk through difficulties, God promises to be our source of joy and peace. This presence will continue to grow more and more through the power of the Holy Spirit.

None of the pain and mourning we go through in life is pointless. Everything is used to sanctify us and grow us into greater and great likeness to Jesus Christ. So, in mourning, don’t lose sight of the greater truths of Scripture.

Nothing is a Waste

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

This verse builds further on the idea that no grief is in vain. Here God makes a promise that everything will be worked out for the good of those who love him. It is important to not throw this verse at someone in pain.

It doesn’t feel good to have the truth unlovingly shoved down your throat. But, as you progress in your grief, this promise can begin to provide you with a new sense of hope that no experience is a waste.

Not Overwhelmed

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. – Psalm 73:26

The above passage speaks to the truth of transformation, which we may or may not experience at the moment. Sometimes the grief blinds us from seeing the purpose in our suffering. For moments like this, we have this verse about grief to rely on.

This verse highlights the pain and difficulty we experience and how these feelings can at times overwhelm us. Rather than blame us or criticize our lack of faith, the verse goes on to to say that in our lack of strength, God will be a strength for us.

When our hearts fail, God is there to keep us going. This is a tremendous promise to hold onto in times grief when despair starts to take control. God is there for you and will be your strength.

An Old Hope

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. – Revelations 21:4

Finally, in times of grief, when it feels like nothing is going right, and the world is filled with injustice, you can turn to Revelations 21:4. This is one of the greatest promises in all of Scripture. Here God promises to make all things right. The pain, the injustice, the depravity of this world were not intentioned by God, and he promises to make them right.

There is a reason we feel pain in grief. It is because we weren’t meant to experience suffering and loss, which produces our grief. Remembering that there will be a day when suffering ends, and God will wipe away every tear, can help give us hope for our immediate circumstances.

Christian Grief Counseling in Culver City

As you can see, there are a lot of comforting Bible verses for death and grief. Sometimes Bible verses about the death of a loved one are enough to help get us through the day. It’s not that reading verses about death take away our pain, but they can help us draw near to God who promises to comfort us. He deeply loves us and grieves with us

As you process your grief, don’t lose sight of God’s promises or drift away from his comforting presence. Experiencing grief is like standing in the ocean. At times, the tides will be low, allowing you to stand and be anchored by your feet in the shallows. Other times, the swells will come lifting you from the floor and setting you adrift in sorrow. Cling to these comforting Bible verses for death to keep you anchored to the truth when the waves of grief begin to crash around you.

If you’d like help navigating the seas of grief, feel free to contact one of the counselors listed in our counselor directory. Help and hope are available to you.