Funeral Resources

Readings and Psalms Suitable for Funeral Liturgies

Old Testament Readings

Job 19.1, 21–27a (I know that my Redeemer lives)
Isaiah 25.6–9 (He will swallow up death for ever)
Isaiah 61.1–3 (To comfort all who mourn)
Lamentations 3.17–26, 31–33 (The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases)
Daniel 12.1– 3 (Every one whose name shall be found written in the book)
Wisdom 3.1-6(7–9) (The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God)

Psalms and Suitable Refrains

23 (I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever)
25 (Remember me according to your love, O Lord)
42 (I will give thanks to him who is my help and my God)
51 (Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness)
90 (From age to age you are God)
121 (My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth)
122 (May they prosper who love Jerusalem)
126 (Those who sowed with tears will reap with songs of joy)
130 (My soul waits for the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy)
134 (Bless the Lord who made heaven and earth)
139 (Lead me in the way that is everlasting)

New Testament Readings

Romans 6.3–9 (All of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death)
Romans 8.14–19(34–35, 37–39) (The glory that is to be revealed)
Romans 14.7–9 (Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s)
1 Corinthians 15.20–28(35–44a) (In Christ shall all be made alive)
1 Corinthians 15.51–57 (Death is swallowed up in victory)
2 Corinthians 4.7–18 (The things that are unseen are eternal)
2 Corinthians 5.1–9 (What is mortal may be swallowed up by life)
Philippians 3.20–21 (To be like his glorious body)
1 Thessalonians 4.13–18 (So we shall always be with the Lord)
2 Timothy 2.8–12a (If we have died with him, we shall also live with him)
1 Peter 1.3–9 (We have been born anew to a living hope)
1 John 3.1–2 (We shall be like him)
1 John 4.7–18a (We may have confidence for the day of judgement)
Revelation 21.1–7 (Behold I make all things new)

Gospel Readings

Matthew 5.1–12a (Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven)
Matthew 11.25–30 (Come to me and I will give you rest)
Mark 15.33–39; 16.1–7 (He has risen, he is not here)
Luke 24.13–16(17–27) 28–35 (He was known to them in the breaking of the bread)
John 5.24–27 (Who hears my word and believes him who sent me, has eternal life)
John 6.37–40 (All that the Father gives me will come to me)
John 10.11–16 (I am the good shepherd)
John 11.17–27 (I am the resurrection and the life)
John 14.1–6 (In my Father’s house are many rooms)
John 20.1–9 (The stone had been taken away from the tomb)

Hymn Suggestions

Abide with Me
And Did Those Feet in Ancient Time (Jerusalem)
Be Thou My Vision
Christ the Victorious (Russian Anthem)
Come, My Way, My Truth, My Life
For All the Saints
From the Falter of Breath
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah
Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee
Lift High the Cross
O God, Our Help in Ages Past
O Lord of Life, Where'er They Be
The Lord's My Shepherd (Crimond)
The Strife is O'er
Unto the Hills around Do I Lift Up

Any other Easter hymns or hymns appropriate to the season at the time of death.