57 Uplifting & Comforting Bible Passages for Unexpected Loss

Share these inspirational reminders of God’s love with the grieving

Co-authored by Ken Breniman, LCSW, C-IAYT and Cheyenne Main

Last Updated: May 13, 2024 Fact Checked

The death of a loved one often takes a toll on the people they left behind, but an unexpected loss can be even more difficult to understand. However, the word of God and His Son can bring you hope and strength during these dark times. Whether you’re looking for a Bible verse to read at a funeral, include in a card or social media post, or find comfort in as you’re processing your grief, these meaningful passages can help.

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Comforting Bible Verses About Death

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Looking to scripture can be a powerful way to remember the one you love and seek strength during difficult times. If you’re looking for a line to read at a funeral or searching for passages to comfort you in your grief, these verses address loss and the healing power of faith for believers.
- (John 11:25-26): “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?”^{[1]
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- (2 Corinthians 5:8-9): “We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it.”^{[2]
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- (Revelation 21:4): “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.”^{[3]
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- (1 Thessalonians 4:17): “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.”^{[4]
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- (Matthew 11:28-30): “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.”^{[5]
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- (Joshua 1:9): “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.”^{[6]
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2

Short Bible Verses for an Untimely Death

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Few things are more painful than the loss of someone you love. However, it can help to remember that God understands your pain and that He walks with you in times of suffering.^{[7]
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- (Psalm 34:18): “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”^{[8]
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- (Psalm 147:3): “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”^{[9]
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- (Matthew 5:4): “Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.”^{[10]
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- (Philippians 1:21): “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”^{[11]
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- (John 16:22): “So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”^{[12]
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- (Lamentations 3:31-32): “For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.”^{[13]
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- (John 14:1): “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”^{[14]
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- (John 16:20): “Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.”^{[15]
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- (Philippians 1:3): “I thank my God every time I remember you.”^{[16]
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Bible Verses for the Death of a Spouse

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When a spouse dies, you not only have to deal with all the feelings that come with it but figure out how to care for yourself while you’re grieving. While you’re coping with your loss, it may help to pray, talk with others of your faith, or listen to uplifting spiritual music.^{[17]
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- (2 Corinthians 1:3-4): “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”^{[18]
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- (Proverbs 3:3): “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”^{[19]
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- (Mark 10:8-9): “So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”^{[20]
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- (Psalm 9:9): “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”^{[21]
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- (1 Corinthians 10:13): “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.”^{[22]
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- (Romans 14:8): “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.”^{[23]
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- (John 14:27): “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.”^{[24]
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Bible Verses for the Loss of a Child

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The death of a child can be devastating for anyone. However, there’s no right or wrong way to grieve. Whether you’re thinking of a grieving loved one or mourning a loss yourself, it’s important to remember that everything you or they are feeling—whether it’s anger, sadness, frustration, or relief—is completely normal.^{[25]
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- (Isaiah 41:10): “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”^{[26]
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- (Matthew 19:14): “Jesus said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.’”^{[27]
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- (Matthew 18:4-5): “Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.”^{[28]
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- (1 Samuel 1:27-28): “I prayed for this child, and the LORD has granted me what I asked of him. So now I give him to the LORD. For his whole life he will be given over to the LORD.” And he worshiped the LORD there.”^{[29]
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- (John 3:16): “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”^{[30]
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- (Luke 18:17): “‘Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.’”^{[31]
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- (Psalm 127:3-4): “Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth.”^{[32]
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- (Lamentations 3:25-26): “The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.”^{[33]
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Bible Verses for the Death of a Mother

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No matter if your mother was a believer or not, or if your relationship was tumultuous or not, the death of a parent can be difficult to come to terms with. However, you may take comfort in that God, who knows you better than you know yourself, is ready to heal you and give you His love and peace.
- (Deuteronomy 31:8): “‘The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.’”^{[34]
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- (Luke 23:43): “Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’”^{[35]
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- (Thessalonians 4:15): “According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep.”^{[36]
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- (Proverbs 31:29-31): “‘Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.’ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.”^{[37]
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- (Psalm 23:4): “Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”^{[38]
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- (John 16:33): “‘I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’”^{[39]
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- (Romans 8:38-39): “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.”^{[40]
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Verses for the Death of a Father

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Death often reminds us how special the ones we love are to the world and us. Relying on God during these times of extreme challenge can provide comfort and human connection among those who grieve. Use these verses as you need to reflect on the loss of a father and help you face life’s obstacles ahead.^{[41]
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- (Proverbs 14:26): “Whoever fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for their children it will be a refuge.”^{[42]
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- (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3): “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal.”^{[43]
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- (Isaiah 57:1-2): “The devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.”^{[44]
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- (Psalm 116:15): “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his faithful servants.”^{[45]
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- (Romans 6:5): “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.”^{[46]
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- (1 Corinthians 15:21-22): “For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”^{[47]
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Verses for the Death of a Grandparent

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When you lose a grandmother or grandfather, it may be tempting to ignore your pain. However, this may make it worse in the long run—instead, try to face your grief with help from God.^{[48]
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- (Isaiah 40:7-8): “‘All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field… The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.’”^{[49]
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- (John 14:27): “‘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.’”^{[50]
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- (1 Corinthians 15:51-52): “‘ 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.’”^{[51]
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- (Psalm 73:26): “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”^{[52]
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- (2 Corinthians 5:1): “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.”^{[53]
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- (Philippians 3:20-21): “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.”^{[54]
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- (Ecclesiastes 12:7): “And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.”^{[55]
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Bible Verses for the Loss of a Friend

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When someone you love is gone too soon, it can leave you with questions to make sense of the pain and hurt. Breniman says it may help to try “writing a letter to the friend or making plans to visit their grave on an occasional basis.” Through time and faith, this difficult trial can inspire confidence in God’s will and an opportunity for new life.
- (Ecclesiastes 7:1): “A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.”^{[56]
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- (John 14:2-3): “‘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.’”^{[57]
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- (Isaiah 25:7-8): “On this mountain he will destroy the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; he will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces.”^{[58]
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- (Hosea 13:14): “‘I will deliver this people from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Where, O death, are your plagues? Where, O grave, is your destruction?’”^{[59]
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- (Psalm 48:14): “For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”^{[60]
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- (Isaiah 40:11): “He tends his flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in his arms and carries them close to his heart; he gently leads those that have young.”^{[61]
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- (Jeremiah 29:11): “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.’”^{[62]
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