One of the most agonizing things we may go through in life is losing someone we love. The ensuing sadness can be unbearable, leaving us with unresolved questions, hurting hearts, and a profound sense of loss.
When the world seems to be spinning out of control, it’s normal to look for solace, tranquility, and understanding—something to ground us. Because it contains timeless words that speak to grief, hope, and the promise of eternal life, the Bible becomes a source of comfort and healing for many people.
The Bible acknowledges human suffering. Rather, it confronts us directly in the center of it. The Bible has passages that both acknowledge the existence of grief and guide us to the hope that exists in God’s presence.
The Bible offers a spiritual haven for grieving souls, whether it is via the unvarnished honesty of the Psalms, the consoling words of Jesus, or the assurance of eternal reunion. These passages remind us that death, although painful, is not the end for those who trust in God and that God is near to the brokenhearted.
This selection of Bible passages concerning the death of a loved one is meant to comfort bereaved people, pay tribute to the departed, and serve as a constant reminder of the eternal hope that comes from faith. I pray that each phrase will give you courage for the day, solace for your spirit, and a gentle reminder that God is with you through every difficult time.
40 Comforting Bible Verses About The Passing Of A Loved One (2025)
1. Psalm 34:18
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
In times of loss, this verse assures us that God does not distance Himself from our sorrow. On the contrary, He draws near to those whose hearts are shattered by grief. His presence becomes most tangible in our pain, and His saving grace lifts those burdened with sorrow. This promise reminds us that God’s comfort is not distant or abstract—it is intimate, personal, and restorative.
2. Psalm 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
This verse paints a picture of a divine Healer who is actively involved in our emotional restoration. After the loss of a loved one, wounds of the heart may seem too deep to mend. Yet, God’s care extends beyond physical ailments to the innermost aches of our soul. His love doesn’t simply acknowledge our grief—it gently mends it.
3. Psalm 23:4
“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
This beloved psalm speaks directly to those journeying through the painful shadow of loss. Even in the darkest valleys, God walks beside us. His presence, protection, and comfort provide courage to keep going when life feels empty. Death may cast a shadow, but it cannot separate us from the Shepherd’s presence.
4. Psalm 30:5
“Weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.”
Grief is real and often overwhelming, but it is not forever. This verse encourages those in mourning to hold on to hope. While loss brings nights filled with tears, God promises a morning of renewed joy. Sorrow may visit, but it will not take up permanent residence when God is our refuge.
5. Psalm 116:15
“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.”
God does not treat the passing of His children as a distant event. It is precious to Him, not because of death itself, but because it marks their return home. For believers, death is not a tragedy from the divine perspective; it is a reunion. This verse brings reassurance that our loved ones are cherished even in their final breath.
6. Psalm 73:26
“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Grief can weaken our physical bodies and shake our emotional core. Yet, in that weakness, God becomes our strength. When all else fails, He remains our eternal portion—unchanging, present, and all-sufficient. This verse is a reminder that even in the collapse of what we know, God remains our solid foundation.
7. Psalm 9:9
“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.”
Grief often feels like oppression of the soul. In such moments, God is more than a comfort—He is a refuge, a place to hide when the pain becomes too great to bear. He becomes a fortress, not denying our suffering but sheltering us through it. He is the safe place for the sorrowful heart.
8. Psalm 42:11
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
This verse captures the dialogue between grief and faith. Even while acknowledging pain, the psalmist commands his soul to hope again. Loss may cloud the heart, but praise reminds us of God’s enduring goodness. This verse encourages us to speak life to our souls amid mourning and to hope through the tears.
9. Psalm 48:14
“For this God is our God for ever and ever; he will be our guide even to the end.”
This verse offers profound reassurance during seasons of grief. The God we serve does not abandon us in death or sorrow—He walks with us through it and beyond it. He is not only our guide in life, but also in the final moments and transitions of existence. We are never truly alone; His guidance continues even as we say goodbye to those we love.
10. Psalm 27:1
“The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?”
In the shadow of loss, fear and uncertainty often creep in. This verse declares a bold confidence in God as light, salvation, and fortress. Even when death visits, the believer can stand firm, knowing that the eternal Lord dispels darkness and offers security that transcends earthly grief.
11. Psalm 62:8
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.”
Grief requires honesty, and this verse invites us to pour our hearts out to God. Not with pretense, but with raw, unfiltered emotion. He is a refuge not just for the composed, but for the broken and undone. In our mourning, we are not only allowed but encouraged to bring our full sorrow to His sheltering presence.
12. Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.”
The death of a loved one can feel like the ground beneath us has shifted. Yet this verse promises that as we cast our grief on the Lord, He will sustain us. The pain may remain, but we will not be crushed. He upholds us in every trembling moment, offering strength for each step forward.
13. Psalm 31:9
“Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.”
This verse acknowledges the full impact of loss on the eyes, the soul, and even the body. It gives voice to the weariness that accompanies mourning. Yet in voicing this cry, the psalmist turns to God for mercy. When grief overwhelms, we too can call upon the Lord for compassion that reaches into every part of our suffering.
14. Psalm 18:28
“You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light.”
In the darkness of grief, when it feels as though our inner flame is extinguished, God is the one who keeps the lamp burning. He is the divine flame-lighter who can rekindle hope, restore purpose, and bring light to the blackest night. Mourning does not have to consume us when God’s light is present.
15. Psalm 6:6
“I am worn out from my groaning. All night long I flood my bed with weeping and drench my couch with tears.”
Few verses capture the raw agony of grief as poignantly as this one. It speaks to sleepless nights, tear-stained pillows, and emotional exhaustion. Yet, within this expression of deep mourning is the truth that such pain can be brought before God. He hears every sob and holds every tear.
16. Psalm 61:2
“From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
When the heart grows faint under the weight of loss, this verse offers a lifeline. It points us to the Rock—God Himself—who is above and beyond our grief. Even when we feel far from peace or stability, we can cry out and be led to higher ground, where the strength of God shelters our weary souls.
17. Psalm 10:17
“You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.”
In our sorrow, it may feel as if our prayers fall into silence. Yet this verse assures us that God not only hears but listens attentively to the cry of the grieving. He responds with encouragement and care, tending to the desires and unspoken needs that dwell deep in our mourning hearts.
18. Psalm 71:20
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up.”
Loss may plunge us into emotional depths we never imagined. But God is not finished with us in our brokenness. This verse proclaims His power to restore life, even when death seems to steal it away. From the lowest pit of sorrow, God promises to lift us and breathe new life into our aching spirit.
19. Psalm 138:3
“When I called, you answered me; you greatly emboldened me.”
Grief often leaves us feeling empty and faint. Yet when we call out to the Lord in those low moments, He answers not with silence, but with strength. His response is not only comfort—it is empowerment. Even amid mourning, He enables us to rise, speak, and live with renewed courage.
20. Psalm 49:15
“But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; he will surely take me to himself.”
This verse points beyond the grave to a promise of eternal life. Though death feels like an end, for the believer, it is a transition. God does not abandon His people to the finality of the grave—He redeems them, taking them into His eternal presence. This assurance brings hope and peace when we say goodbye to those who have died in the Lord.
21. Psalm 90:12
“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Loss often makes us pause and reflect on the brevity of life. This verse urges us to consider our time carefully, not in fear, but in pursuit of wisdom. The passing of a loved one invites us to live intentionally, recognizing that each day is a gift meant to be stewarded with purpose and reverence before God.
22. Psalm 94:19
“When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.”
In seasons of sorrow, anxiety can overwhelm us—grieving not only the loss of a loved one, but the fear of how to move forward. This verse assures us that God doesn’t just remove anxiety; He replaces it with consolation so deep that joy can return. His comfort is not superficial—it touches the roots of despair.
23. Psalm 119:50
“My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.”
God’s promises do more than encourage—they preserve. In the face of death and mourning, His Word becomes our lifeline, stabilizing us when everything feels like it’s falling apart. This verse reminds us that the Word of God gives us strength to endure suffering and provides a source of hope that death cannot destroy.
24. Psalm 73:24
“You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.”
Death is not the end for those who follow God. This verse gives us an eternal perspective: God not only leads us in life, but also receives us in glory. It assures us that our loved ones who trusted in God are not lost—they are taken into everlasting glory, safe in His presence forever.
25. Psalm 102:17
“He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.”
Mourning can make us feel destitute, emptied by sorrow and grief. Yet, even in our most broken moments, God does not ignore our prayers. This verse reminds us that He draws near to those who feel forgotten and responds with love and compassion. No cry of grief is too small or insignificant for His attention.
26. Psalm 40:1
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry.”
Grief takes time, and healing often feels slow. This verse encourages us to wait on the Lord, even when it seems like nothing is changing. God hears every cry, and He turns His face toward us in love. His timing is perfect, and His response is sure—even when the silence feels heavy.
27. Psalm 130:5
“I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in his word I put my hope.”
This verse speaks to the depth of longing during seasons of loss. Mourning isn’t just about waiting for emotions to pass—it’s about waiting on God to renew us. Placing our hope in His Word gives us an anchor when emotions are unsteady and life feels uncertain. His Word becomes our soul’s foundation in sorrow.
28. Psalm 27:13-14
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Even when grief clouds the view, this verse invites us to remain confident in God’s goodness. The land of the living here refers to this life, and beyond it. As we wait, we are strengthened by the assurance that God’s goodness and presence will one day overcome all sorrow.
29. Psalm 31:24
“Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the Lord.”
Grief often weakens the heart. This verse speaks directly to those who hope in God, urging them to take courage, not from themselves, but from the One in whom they trust. Strength in mourning doesn’t mean pretending we’re okay—it means holding on to hope when everything else feels lost.
30. Psalm 145:18
“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.”
There is a sacred intimacy in mourning when we call on God honestly. This verse promises that He draws near not to those who hide their grief, but to those who open their hearts to Him. In our most vulnerable moments, God doesn’t turn away—He moves closer.
31. Psalm 42:3
“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’”
This verse reflects the rawness of grief when pain is constant, and faith feels questioned. Even in these moments, the psalmist’s honest lament reminds us that sorrow is part of the human experience—and it can coexist with faith. God meets us not only in praise but in every tear we cry.
32. Psalm 84:5-6
“Blessed are those whose strength is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs.”
The “Valley of Baka” refers to a valley of tears. Yet this verse promises that those who find their strength in God will not be defeated by it—they will transform it. Mourning, when walked with God, becomes a journey of renewal. Even the driest valley can birth springs of life and healing.
33. Psalm 37:39
“The salvation of the righteous comes from the Lord; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.”
When death leaves us shaken, God becomes our fortress. This verse reminds us that our ultimate salvation doesn’t rest on this life, but in God’s hands. He is our safety net in the troubled waters of grief, anchoring us when everything else feels unsteady.
34. Psalm 146:5
“Blessed are those whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the Lord their God.”
Hope is essential in mourning, and this verse declares that those who put their hope in God are blessed, even amid loss. God becomes not just our helper, but our eternal source of strength, guiding us through heartbreak into healing.
35. Psalm 37:18
“The blameless spend their days under the Lord’s care, and their inheritance will endure forever.”
This verse assures us that the lives of those who walked with God are never wasted. Even in death, they are under His care, and their legacy continues in eternity. It brings comfort to know that our loved ones who lived in faith are still secure in God’s keeping.
36. Psalm 63:8
“I cling to you; your right hand upholds me.”
In grief, clinging to God may feel like all we can do—and that’s enough. His hand upholds us when we are too weak to walk alone. This verse is a declaration of dependency that turns into strength, reminding us that God carries us through what we cannot carry ourselves.
37. Psalm 33:20
“We wait in hope for the Lord; he is our help and our shield.”
Grief often requires patient endurance. This verse affirms that in the waiting, God is both our helper and protector. He doesn’t leave us exposed to the weight of sorrow—He shields us, covers us, and holds us until healing begins.
38. Psalm 119:76
“May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant.”
This prayer asks that God’s never-failing love would serve as comfort. In the absence of a loved one, God’s promises fill the emptiness. His love never ends, and His Word gives us security in an otherwise fragile world.
39. Psalm 25:16-17
“Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.”
Loneliness is a painful side effect of grief, and this psalm voices that ache openly. The cry for God’s grace in loneliness is a cry He honors. When hearts are troubled and anguish is great, His mercy becomes the balm for the soul.
40. Psalm 4:8
“In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
This verse speaks peace over the most restless soul. Even in the turmoil of mourning, God’s presence allows us to rest, not because the pain is gone, but because His protection and peace remain. Death may disrupt, but it cannot destroy the eternal safety found in the Lord.
Conclusion
Although everyone’s experience of grief is unique, God’s Word provides constant consolation during this time. The Bible tells us that death is not the end, whether you are grieving today, remembering a loved one from your past, or sharing their grief. We are gently reassured by God’s promises of peace, healing, and eternal life that our loved ones who trusted in Him are at peace and that we shall all eventually be reunited in His presence. There will be no more grief, and every tear will be washed away in His embrace.
May these lyrics reach the quiet areas of your heart where words frequently fall short as you reflect on them. Let the Bible serve as your haven, your source of courage, and a reminder that God is close to those who are grieving. Even though your loved one is no longer with us, their memory endures, and God’s love is always present. Rest in the knowledge that death has finally been vanquished in Christ and that hope endures even in the face of loss.
