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Unless your dad or stepdad left specific funeral plans, you might have to choose the music, pallbearers, and Bible verses for the service on your own. In the midst of your grief, you may have a difficult time even remembering a book of the Bible, much less an appropriate verse to use.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Old Testament Bible Verses for a Dad’s Funeral
- New Testament Bible Verses for a Dad’s Funeral
You can tap into hundreds and hundreds of verses at a Christian’s funeral. Don’t think these are the only 20 funeral bible verses for dad that could fit the bill.
The best way to pick a Bible verse is to choose a passage that was meaningful to your dad or family. Did your dad have a verse that was important to him or a verse that he cared enough about to display on his bathroom mirror or refrigerator door? Maybe your dad marked favorite verses in his Bible, and you can see which sections of the Bible were in constant use.
Check to see if any of the verses below ring a bell. And if you'd like any more help navigating the rough waters of losing a loved one, check out our post-loss checklist.
Old Testament Bible Verses for a Dad’s Funeral
There’s plenty of wisdom to share from the Old Testament. If you are looking for a Bible verse for a funeral, consider starting your search in Proverbs or Psalms.
1. Proverbs 23:22
The first part of this verse reads, “Listen to your father, who gave you life.” You could use this verse as a part of the eulogy. Maybe you could accompany it with a story about what happened to you when you didn’t follow your dad’s wise advice.
2. Proverbs 3:3-4
When picking verses for your dad’s funeral, you could choose some that remind you of the advice you had received from your dad. Verse three of this passage reads, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.”
3. Proverbs 14:26
Consider this verse from chapter 14: “Whoever fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for their children, it will be a refuge.” Did your dad create a secure spiritual fortress for you that you have passed down to your own children?
4. Psalm 103:13
We know that the child/father relationship is sometimes complicated. Like the relationship you have with God, occasionally tender and compassionate discipline is involved.
5. Isaiah 41:10
A lot of emotions accompany grief. You may find yourself feeling scared now that your dad is gone. Gain strength from this verse from the book of Isaiah. It reads, “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.”
6. Ecclesiastes 3:1-4
This verse in the book of Ecclesiastes reminds us that death is a part of life. You may be familiar with this verse already. It begins, “To everything there is a season,” It is used in the song’s text, “Turn, Turn, Turn” by The Byrds.
7. Psalm 92:14
Did your dad enjoy good health well into his 80s or 90s? This is the perfect verse to share at the funeral of a father who was able to “bear fruit in old age.”
(If you would like to know more about what the Bible says about the aging process, check out our list of Bible verses on aging.)
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8. Psalm 46:1-10
If you are looking for a passage to read at your father’s funeral to remind everyone that God is your refuge, read Psalm 46. It begins with the line, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” It ends with, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”
9. Psalm 34:18
This verse reads, “the Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” This sentiment is often repeated in the New Testament as well. This may be a message you want to spread to all of those attending the funeral.
10. Isaiah 25:8
Are you looking for an Old Testament verse that speaks about everlasting life? This verse promises that God ”will swallow up death forever. The sovereign Lord will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The Lord has spoken.”
New Testament Bible Verses for a Dad’s Funeral
There are lots of verses in the New Testament that would be appropriate for a funeral. Many of them are passages about God’s salvation.
What verse meant a lot to your dad or stepdad? Some of these verses are often read at funerals.
11. 1 John 3:1-2
This passage begins, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” Of course, the love that is referred to in this chapter is God the Father’s love.
12. Romans 8:38-39
There’s nothing that can separate a believer from God, not even death. This verse from the book of Romans makes this promise.
13. John 14:1
You may already be familiar with this often-quoted passage. It includes the words of Jesus when he states that his “Father’s house has many rooms.” Jesus is talking about eternal salvation in this verse.
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14. Matthew 5:3-12
Christians are reminded of all that Christ does for those who are hurting in this passage from Matthew. Known as the Beatitudes, it begins, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” It ends with an additional promise: “Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” This sermon is referred to as the “Sermon on the Mount.”
15. 1 Peter 5:7
Does your father’s death leave you filled with anxiety? You are not alone in your worries, but God offers this promise in this passage. It reads, “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.”
16. John 3:16
Do you want to share the salvation promise with others attending your dad’s funeral? Read John 3:16, which states, “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.”
17. Acts 4:12
This book of Acts is full of many gems. This verse states, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” If your dad was a Christian, consider using one of these verses in a tribute or eulogy that you write for him.
18. Revelation 21:1-7
Revelation is the last book of the New Testament, and it is a book of prophecy describing what is to come. In this new heaven and the new earth, “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.”
19. John 16:22
Many people may grieve the loss of your dad. This verse in John promises that you will again one day feel joy. Remember not to put a timeline on your grief. It may be ebb and flow continuously throughout your life.
20. Philippians 3:20-21
It may be comforting to think about death as an address change. This verse in Philippians tells us, “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.”
Other Help is Available
It’s hard to make decisions as you grieve the loss of a loved one. Even the choice of funeral flowers may feel overwhelming. We hope this guide will help you find a Bible verse appropriate for your dad’s funeral.
It's a good idea to make your own end-of-life plan, so your family knows your preferences. Give your loved ones the gift of a pre-planned funeral.