Readings for Funerals

By Eddie Tobey

Funeral services often include prayers, readings from the Bible or other sacred texts, the signing of hymns or words of comfort by the clergy. Sometimes, a relative or a close friend is also asked to give a eulogy detailing the happy memories and achievements of the deceased. Readings and speeches at the funeral service provide comfort and courage for family and friends mourning the death of a loved one.




Readings are often customary, and are part of the funeral ceremony to provide deeper consolation and strength to the immediate kin of the deceased. At the Mass for a Catholic burial one can read from the Sacred Scriptures of the Old Testament, the New Testament or for the various Gospels. Some of the famous readings are, “I Know That My Redeemer Lives” from the Book of Job 19:1, 23-27; “He Accepted Them As A Holocaust” from the Book of Wisdom 3:1-9 or 3:1-6. 9; “It Is Good And Holy To Think Of The Dead Rising Again” from the second book of Maccabees 12:43-46, “Rejoice And Be Glad, For Your Reward Will Be Great In Heaven” from the Gospel of St. Matthew 5:1-12; or “Young Man, I Say To You, Arise” from the Gospel of St. Luke 7:11-17.

A friend can also recite a poem during a eulogy to express his deepest thoughts and feelings, and the right poem, whether ancient or modern, will provide some comfort to the deceased family. However, the poems should be appropriate for the occasion and short enough to be read at a funeral or memorial service.

Reading scriptures during funeral services proclaims the meaning that Christ himself gave to death, teach us to remember the dead and nourish our hope of being together again in God’s kingdom. Readings give a deceased family hope to be re-united with their loved ones, and are an important part of a funeral rite.

Readings or poems recited during funerals truly express the sad bereavement sentiments and comfort the immediate family members of the departed soul.

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