Why a round up of scriptures for grieving families? Because life hurts and God is the only way to hope and healing.

If you are here because your heart is broken, I am sorry for your loss. I know that pain far too well. You will find comfort and healing in these verses.

I remember that deep deep grief. The kind of pain that surrounds you and grips you in its evil grasp to the point you feel as if you can’t breathe. People would ask me how I was. I would say “fine” because I couldn’t even begin to explain how badly I hurt.

At some point, I switched to saying “God doesn’t take the pain away, but I know He’s helping me through”.

There was a lot of truth in those words. Actually, a pretty deep truth spoken of throughout scripture. We live in a fallen world with pain and suffering. As Christians, we are not exempt from it, but we have a hope that the world doesn’t have.

We have a Heavenly Father who is walking beside us. He gave me strength and made His presence known. He brought me peace when I thought I had died and hope of healing when I couldn’t see it possible.

People would tell me that it would get easier and I’d say “but how do I get through it now”. The answer was already with me. God, He was how I got through it.

If you are here because you are looking for encouragement for a friend or family member who has suffered a loss, you have come to the right place. These verses are perfect to write on a card, send in a text, or speak aloud when trying to comfort someone.

This is the verse I clung to after losing my beautiful 8 year old daugher.

“Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; You are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. (Isaiah 43:1-2)

Scriptures to Comfort a Grieving Mother and Father

While this post is a round up of scriptures for grieving families and I don’t want to take away from God’s words with my own, but I want to share my story quickly before launching into them. I encourage you to meet my Rebekah in “Rebekah’s Heart”!

She was my only daughter. With four boys, I’d tell her all the time that it was a good thing God gave her to me. Only He took her away.

She was with me all the time, chatting away. We did chores together, took care of the little boys together, and I loved her with all my heart. She looked like me, but she didn’t act like me at all. She was fearless and dramatic. She was all sunshine or storm clouds-no in between.

She was killed in an accident. It was sudden. One moment everything was fine, the next she was gone. Just like that. My family will always be broken and I am painfully aware that someone is missing.

That was five years ago.

I want you to know that I understand what you are feeling. I know your pain, fear, anger, regret. For me, anxiety became my new normal, something I continue to struggle with.

I know that you feel like you’ve died or perhaps you want to. You might be angry at God or yourself or both. You are seeking to hold onto something real because you’ve been thrown into an unfamiliar realm.

God will heal your heart. Cling to Him, allow His words to penetrate your soul. I have lived this and know it is truth.

I begin these scriptures to comfort a grieving mother and father with verses about children. I then move to verses to bring you comfort, to help you feel God’s presence, peace, and love.

Mark 10:13-16

Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.” And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them. (Mark 10:13-16)

Matthew 18:10

Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew18:10)

Jeremiah 31:3

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying:
“Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love;
Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you (Jeremiah 31:3)

Zephaniah 3:17

The Lord your God in your midst,
The Mighty One, will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness,
He will quiet you with His love,
He will rejoice over you with singing.” (Zephaniah 3:17)

Psalm 107:13-14

Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses.
He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, And broke their chains in pieces. (Psalm 107:13-14)

Psalm 120:1

In my distress I cried to the Lord, And He heard me. (Psalm 120:1)

Romans 8:38-39

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Isaiah 53:4-5

Surely He has borne our griefs And carried our sorrows; Yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes, we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

Isaiah 41:10

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

See these posts for further encouragement.

Psalms for Grief to Encourage Your Broken Heart

Healing from Grief: Allowing Yourself to Grow

Scriptures for Grieving Siblings

I read somewhere that siblings are often called “silent mourners”. They are confused and hurt when losing a sibling, but they are often too young to process or are accidentally overlooked during the parents’ grief.

I’ve selected these verses to help kids know that God is with them, He is still working good things in their lives and in their future.

When life changes suddenly, it sends us reeling. This leaves us feeling lost and afraid. They need to know that they are still being taken care of and that God still loves them.

Looking back, I can see some of the things I did wrong. I did see a counselor for several years and she gave me great advice to help me help my kids. Here are a few things that might help you and your family:

• keep communication open, don’t hide your grief from your children
• Normalize grief. I know this sounds like a strange thing to say, but read books to them about death, help them to understand that we all experience loss during our lives and they are not alone in their feelings.
• Give them space to process. My son was very angry and he took it out on me. This was really painful for me and we did reach a point in which I had to address the way he was treating me, but I kept my feelings out of it the best I could.
• Keep in mind that everyone grieves differently. They will need to find their own way and it will most likely look different than yours.
• Allow them to express themselves. Whether that comes out in tears, questions, anger, or another way. Grief cannot be hidden, it will show itself in one way or another. Give them a safe space to work through their grief.
• Don’t beat yourself up for not being there for them the way you think you should. Focusing on your healing will help them.
• Give yourself permission to not be ok. This was huge for me. I would beat myself up for not being there for my kids and give them a happy childhood when in reality it was good for them to learn that we cannot ignore painful experiences or run away from them. We have to live through them.

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me;  (Psalm 23:4)

Psalm 142:3

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, Then You knew my path. In the way in which I walk. (Psalm 142:3)

Isaiah 49:15-16

Can a woman forget her nursing child, And not have compassion on the son of her womb? Surely they may forget, Yet I will not forget you.
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands; Your walls are continually before Me. (Isaiah 49:15-16)

Lamentations 3:55-57

I called on Your name, O Lord, from the lowest pit.
 You have heard my voice:
“Do not hide Your ear
From my sighing, from my cry for help.”
 You drew near on the day I called on You,
And said, “Do not fear!” (Lamentations 3:55-57)

1 Peter 5:7

Casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7)

Jeremiah 29:11

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)

Psalm 61:1-2

Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved. (Psalm 62:1-2)

Psalm 56:8

You number my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book? (Psalm 56:8)

Scriptures for Grieving Families that Bring Hope

A few more scriptures for grieving families. These give us the hope of Heaven and reassurance that God loves us.

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27)

Luke 6:21

Blessed are you who weep now,
For you shall laugh. (Luke 6:21)

Jeremiah 57:18-19

 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners. “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.” (Jeremiah 57:18-19)

Psalm 16:9-11

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psalm 16:9-11)

Revelation 4:2-4

Immediately I was in the Spirit; and behold, a throne set in heaven, and One sat on the throne. And He who sat there was like a jasper and a sardius stone in appearance; and there was a rainbow around the throne, in appearance like an emerald.  Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads. (Revelation 4:2-4)

John 14:1-3

Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. (John 14:1-3)

Revelation 21:4

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4)

1 Corinthians 2:7-9

But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory,  which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.

 But as it is written:

“Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:7-9)

Revelation 22:1-5

And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him. They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads.  

There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever. (Revelation 22:1-5)

For more verses about heaven, check out these posts.

She Still Lives: Bible Verses About Heaven After Death

15 Scriptures About Heaven to Bring You Comfort and Hope

I pray these scriptures for grieving families have brought you comfort. I would love for you to share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below.