Introduction
In Japan, a Christian funeral often includes a wake (zenya-shiki), the funeral service (sōgi), cremation, and then the interment of the ashes (nōkotsu-shiki) and memorial services. In many churches mourners lay flowers (kenka) instead of offering incense. These 20 verses, quoted from the World English Bible, form four themes: resurrection, the heavenly home, comfort for the bereaved and entrusting the one who has died to God. Use them in a service, a sympathy card or a prayer.
The Hope of Resurrection and Eternal Life
1. John 3:16
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life."
John writes that God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should have eternal life. This is the heart of the gospel and a verse often read at funerals. It reminds us that both the one who has gone and those who remain are held in God's love. Read all of John 3.
2. John 5:24
"“Most certainly I tell you, he who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life, and doesn’t come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."
Jesus says that whoever hears his word and believes has eternal life and has passed out of death into life. Eternal life does not begin after death; it is already received by the one who believes. This certainty gives hope even in the middle of separation. Read all of John 5.
3. 2 Corinthians 4:14
"knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus, and will present us with you."
Paul affirms that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus. The resurrection is an event of Christ, but also a promise to those who believe. The hope of meeting again one day is a great strength for grieving family, and it carries them through their sorrow. Read all of 2 Corinthians 4.
4. Philippians 1:21
"For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."
Paul writes that to him, to live is Christ and to die is gain. As you recall the life of a believer, you can say with gratitude that for them, living was Christ. Death is not an end but the beginning of a life with the Lord. Read all of Philippians 1.
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:10
"who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him."
Paul writes that Christ died for us so that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Alive or departed, we are with Christ. This verse confirms that we entrust the one who has died to God and that those who remain continue walking with the Lord. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 5.
Welcomed Into the Heavenly Home
6. 2 Corinthians 5:1
"For we know that if the earthly house of our tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal, in the heavens."
Paul says that if our earthly tent is dissolved, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. The body is like a tent that comes to an end one day. God prepares an eternal home for us, and this verse is also read at memorial services. Read all of 2 Corinthians 5.
7. 2 Corinthians 5:8
"We are courageous, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord."
Paul says he would rather be absent from the body and at home with the Lord. Death can also be a homecoming to him. For those who suffered for a long time or died at an advanced age, this verse gives hope that their pain is over and they rest near the Lord. Read all of 2 Corinthians 5.
8. Psalm 23:6
"Surely goodness and loving kindness shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in Yahweh’s house forever."
The psalmist sings that goodness and loving kindness will follow him all the days of his life and that he will dwell in Yahweh's house forever. Psalm 23 is also loved at Japanese funerals. The certainty of being welcomed into the Lord's house gently supports the hearts of the family. Read all of Psalm 23.
9. John 14:2
"In my Father’s house are many homes. If it weren’t so, I would have told you. I am going to prepare a place for you."
Jesus says that in his Father's house are many homes and that he is going to prepare a place for his disciples. He speaks these words before leaving them. Believing that a place has been prepared in the Father's house for the one who has gone eases the pain of separation. Read all of John 14.
10. Psalm 73:24
"You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory."
The psalmist confesses that God will guide him with his counsel and afterward receive him to glory. God guides a whole lifetime and welcomes us at the end. This verse fits well when you retrace the path of the one who has died, thanking God for leading them all along their journey. Read all of Psalm 73.
Comfort for the Bereaved
11. Isaiah 43:2
"When you pass through the waters, I will be with you, and through the rivers, they will not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, and flame will not scorch you."
God says: when you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Grief is like passing through water and fire. God is with the bereaved in the heart of this trial. It is not a promise that sadness will vanish, but that God walks beside you so that you are not overwhelmed. Read all of Isaiah 43.
12. Lamentations 3:31-32
"For the Lord will not cast off forever. For though he causes grief, yet he will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses."
Lamentations says the Lord will not cast off forever and will have compassion according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses. Losing someone dear can make you feel abandoned by God. These words assure you that his compassion will reach you after the pain, in his own time, even if it seems slow. Read all of Lamentations 3.
13. Psalm 62:5
"My soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him."
The psalmist prays: my soul, wait in silence for God alone, for my expectation is from him. For relatives caught up in funeral preparations and paperwork, there is hardly any time to weep. Even a short moment of silence, sitting quietly, can become a prayer of trust. Read all of Psalm 62.
14. Psalm 34:18
"Yahweh is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves those who have a crushed spirit."
The psalmist says Yahweh is near to the brokenhearted. Losing someone can break the heart. God is then not far away: he is as close as can be. Do not try to hold back your tears; simply stay before him just as you are, with your pain. Read all of Psalm 34.
15. Matthew 5:4
"Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted."
Jesus calls those who mourn blessed, for they will be comforted. Sadness proves that you loved the person who has died, and God never takes it lightly. Someone attending a funeral can share this comfort simply by staying quietly and gently near the grieving family. Read all of Matthew 5.
Entrusting the One Who Has Died to God
16. Psalm 31:5
"Into your hand I commend my spirit. You redeem me, Yahweh, God of truth."
The psalmist prays: into your hand I commend my spirit. Jesus took up these words on the cross when he said, Father, into your hands I commit my spirit. This is a prayer that suits a funeral, entrusting the soul of the one who has died to God. The family can pray it too, with their grief. Read all of Psalm 31.
17. Ecclesiastes 12:7
"and the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it."
Ecclesiastes says the dust returns to the earth and the spirit returns to God who gave it. The body returns to the ground, but the spirit goes back to the one who gave life. This word is sometimes read at the cremation or the interment of the ashes. Read all of Ecclesiastes 12.
18. Ecclesiastes 3:1-2
"For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;"
Ecclesiastes says there is a time for everything: a time to be born and a time to die. Death too is within the time God has set. Even when a separation seems too early and incomprehensible, this verse invites us to hand that time over to God in prayer. Read all of Ecclesiastes 3.
19. 2 Timothy 4:7-8
"I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith. From now on, the crown of righteousness is stored up for me, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give to me on that day; and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved his appearing."
Paul writes: I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. Many apply these words to the life of a believer who has died. As you remember their journey, thank God for his grace at work in that life, and pass the faith on to those who remain. Read all of 2 Timothy 4.
20. 1 Thessalonians 4:13
"But we don’t want you to be ignorant, brothers, concerning those who have fallen asleep, so that you don’t grieve like the rest, who have no hope."
Paul does not want us to be ignorant about those who have fallen asleep, so that we do not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. He does not say not to weep, but not to weep without hope. This word offers the hope of the resurrection in the middle of mourning. Read all of 1 Thessalonians 4.
Further reading
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Christian funeral like in Japan?
In many churches the pastor leads a service with hymns, Bible readings, a message and prayers, and mourners lay flowers instead of offering incense. Forms vary by church and region. Ask your pastor ahead of time.
Which verses are often read at funerals?
Psalm 23, John 11:25-26, John 14:1-3 and 2 Corinthians 5:1 are often read. You can also suggest a verse the person loved to the pastor. The family is welcome to make that request.
What if some relatives follow Buddhist customs?
Respect your family's customs and feelings, and talk with them quietly beforehand. The wish to see the person off is the same whatever the religion. Avoid criticizing anyone's form and share gratitude and sadness together. Ask your pastor for advice if needed.