We suggest one reading from the Old Testament, one from the New Testament and one from the Gospels.

Please inform the church office of your selections at least one day before the funeral service.

 

Old Testament Readings

Job 19:1, 23-26 (I know that my Redeemer lives.) 

Wisdom 3:1-9 (longer) or 3:1-6, 9 (shorter) (He accepted them as a holocaust.) 

Wisdom 4:7-15 (A blameless life is a ripe old age.) 

Isaiah 25:6a, 7-9 (The Lord God will destroy death for ever.) 

Lamentations 3:17-26 (It is good to wait in silence for the Lord God to save.) 

Daniel 12:1-3 (Of those who lie sleeping in the dust of the earth many will awake.)

2 Maccabees 12:43-46 (It is good and holy to think of the dead rising again.) 

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New Testament Readings

Acts 10:34-43 (longer) or 10:34-36, 42-43 (shorter) (God has appointed Jesus to judge everyone, alive and dead.)

Romans 5:5-11 (Having been justified by his blood, we will be saved from God’s anger through him.) 

Romans 5:17-21 (Where sin increased, there grace abounded all the more.) 

Romans 6:3-9 (longer) or 6:34-, 8-9 (shorter) (Let us walk in newness of life.) 

Romans 8:14-23 (We groan while we wait for the redemption of our bodies.) 

Romans 8:31b-35, 37-39 Who can ever come between us and the love of Christ?) 

Romans 14:7-12 (Whether alive or dead, we belong to the Lord.) 

1 Corinthians 15:20-28 (longer) or 15:20-23 (shorter) (All people will be brought to life in Christ)

1 Corinthians 15:51-57 (Death is swallowed up in victory)

2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1 (What is seen is transitory; what is unseen is eternal.) 

2 Corinthians 5:1, 6-10 (We have an everlasting home in heaven.) 

Philippians 3:20-21 (Jesus will transfigure these wretched bodies of ours to be like his glorious body.) 

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 (We shall stay with the Lord for ever.)

2 Timothy 2:8-13 (If we have died with him, then we shall live with him.) 

1 John 3:1-2 (We shall see God as he really is.)

1 John 3:14-16 (We have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers and sisters.) 

Revelation 14:13 (Happy are those who die in the Lord.) 

Revelation 20:11-21:1 (The dead have been judged according to their works.) 

Revelation 21:1-5a, 6b-7 (There will be no more death.) 

 

Gospels

Matthew 5:1-12 (Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven.)

Matthew 11:25-30 (Come to me... and I will give you rest.)

Matthew 25:1-13 (Look, the bridegroom comes. Go out to meet him.)       

Matthew 25:31-46 (Come, you whom my Father has blessed.) 

Mark 15:33-39, 16:1-6 (longer) or 15:33-39 (shorter) (Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last.)

Luke 7:11-17 (Young man, I say to you, arise.) 

Luke 12:35-40 (Be prepared.) 

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

Luke 23:44-46, 50,, 52-53, 24:1-6a (longer) or 23:44-46, 50, 52-53 (shorter) (Father, I put my life in your hands.)

Luke 24:13-35 (longer) or (shorter) 24:13-16, 28-35 (Was it not necessary that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?) 

John 5:24-29 (Whoever hears my word and believes has passed from death to life). 

John 6:37-40 (All who believe in the Son will have eternal life and I will raise them to life again on the last day.) John 6:51-59 (Greek 51:58) (All who eat this bread will live for ever; and I will raise them up on the last day)

John 11:17-27 (longer) or 11:21-27 (shorter) (I am the resurrection and the life.) (345-G14)

John 11:32-45 (Lazarus, come out.) 

John 12:23-28 (longer) or 12:23-26 (shorter) (If a grain of wheat falls on the ground and dies, it yields a rich harvest.) John 14:1-6 (There are many rooms in my Father’s house.)

John 17:24-26 (Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am.) 

John 19:17-18, 25-30 (Jesus bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

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