50 Uplifting Bible Verses About Grief and Loss

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Grief is inevitable, simply because God designed us to love and live in communion with one another. After all, the presence of grief and sorrow in loss is the presence of love. Instead of running away from grief, let’s learn to embrace it. Running away from the pain means running away from the one person who can soothe our hearts: God. When we miss someone dearly, let God in and let Him grieve with us. We can also pray using these bible verses for grief, and refocus our eyes on God.

Times of grief allow us to witness and experience the goodness of God. If you are grieving today, look to these bible verses for comfort. These bible verses bring condolence in times of loss as God’s scriptures are the comforting words for loss that we need to embrace to overcome this difficult time. Good news is coming. Keep the faith.

What Does the Holy Bible Say About Grief?

What is a good bible verse for grief? There are a couple. Jesus, Himself quotes about grief and loss in the Bible. In Luke 22:43-44, Jesus experiences grief in the Garden of Gethsemane, as He pours out His agony about His upcoming crucifixion to God. In another instance, Jesus wept before the tomb of Lazarus, sharing in the grief of the sisters of Lazarus (John 11:17-37).

If anything, these bible verses for grief and loss show that grief is a universal experience. And our Almighty God, who loves us so much, grieves every day over our sinful ways too, just as He did in Genesis 6:6. Whether grieving for the loss of a loved one or for others, God understands. He will mourn with those who mourn. God provides us with His scriptures on grief to show that He truly understands our pain the most. These bible verses are for comfort in grief are God’s words of comfort and empathy for you.

Bible Verses for Grief

1. John 16:22

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John 16:22 So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.

2. Matthew 5:4

Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

3. Romans 8:18

Romans 8:18 I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

4. John 14:1

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John 14:1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.

5. Lamentations 3:31-32

Lamentations 3:31-32 For no one is cast off by the Lord forever. Though he brings grief, he will show compassion, so great is his unfailing love.

6. Psalm 102:17

Psalm 102:17 He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.

 7. Isaiah 25:8

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Isaiah 25:8 He will swallow up death forever. The Sovereign LORD will wipe away the tears from all faces; he will remove his people’s disgrace from all the earth. The LORD has spoken.

8. Psalm 31:9

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.

9. John 16:20

John 16:20 Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.

10. Psalm 119:50

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Psalm 119:50 My comfort in my suffering is this: Your promise preserves my life.

Bible Verses About Death of a Loved One

What does the Bible say about death? Death is not the end, but the beginning of an eternal reunion with God in Heaven. Through death, we are united with God (Philippians 3:20-21), for His plan for all of us is to be reunited in His kingdom. Bible verses about grief and death are actually scriptures about hope because the grief that death brings paves the way to comfort and solace. Bible verses about grief and hope aren’t all that different, as they both recognize the pain of a grieving heart. 

In a way, these scriptures are also bible verses about life that we can offer as comforting quotes for the loss of a loved one to show that death is more than loss. It is a celebration of life. 

11. John 3:16

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John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

12. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.

13. John 11:25-26

John 11:25-26 Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

14. 1 Thessalonians 4:17

1 Thessalonians 4:17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.

15. Job 14:14

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Job 14:14 If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal to come.

16. Ecclesiastes 12:7

Ecclesiastes 12:7 And the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

17. Romans 14:8

Romans 14:8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.

18. Luke 23:43

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Luke 23:43 Jesus answered him, “Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.”

19. Romans 6:5

Romans 6:5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

20. Isaiah 57:2

Isaiah 57:2 Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.

21. Romans 6:23

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Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

22. Ecclesiastes 7:1

Ecclesiastes 7:1 A good name is better than fine perfume, and the day of death better than the day of birth.

23. 1 Corinthians 15:51

1 Corinthians 15:51 Listen, I tell you a mystery: We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed.

24. Ezekiel 18:32

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Ezekiel 18:32 For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live!

Bible Verses for Strength During Grief

These powerful bible verses remind us that God is our ultimate source of strength, especially in times of grief. But, despite this, we can remain strong. The goodness and strength of God shine the brightest when our hearts are heavy and when we are in pain. His glory doesn’t change depending on our circumstances, for His glory is unchanging. Offer these bible verses about strength as words to comfort the grieving to help remind them that their grief is not a show of weakness, but a display of strength and resilience.

25. Philippians 4:13

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Philippians 4:13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

26. Psalm 73:26

Psalm 73:26 My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27. Joshua 1:9

Joshua 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.

28. Psalm 27:1

Psalm 27:1 The LORD is my light and my salvation–whom shall I fear? The LORD is my stronghold of my life–of whom shall I be afraid?

29. Isaiah 33:2

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Isaiah 33:2 LORD be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

30. Nehemiah 8:10

Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”

31. Psalm 46:1

Psalm 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

32. Isaiah 40:29

Isaiah 40:29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

33. 1 Chronicles 16:11

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1 Chronicles 16:11 Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.

Bible Verses for Healing After Grief

Like our grieving process, healing is personal and non-linear. We all go through it differently. But we all have the same healer: God. We may not see it now, but God never keeps us in a season if He hasn’t prepared a harvest for us in the next. These comforting bible verses for the soul are the best words to comfort someone who lost a loved one.

34. Isaiah 41:10

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Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

35. Psalm 35:10

Psalm 35:10 My whole being will exclaim, “Who is like you, Lord? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them.”

36. Jeremiah 17:14

Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for you are the one I praise.

37. Psalm 34:18

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Psalm 34:18 The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

38. Revelation 21:4

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.

39. Psalm 100:5

Psalm 100:5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

40. Matthew 19:14

Matthew 19:14 Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”

41. Psalm 147:3

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Psalm 147:3 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

Bible Verses About Grief and Peace

These bible quotes about losing a loved one are comforting scriptures as they show us we can approach grief with a joyful attitude. Look to these scriptures on rest and bible verses about peace to remember that though we grieve, good is coming. Keep the faith that God can give us peace that makes no sense, joy beyond measures, and abundant strength. Our God is the god of the impossible.

42. John 14:27

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John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

43. Philippians 4:7

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

44. Matthew 11:28

Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

45. Isaiah 40:1

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God.

46. Psalm 29:11

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Psalm 29:11 The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

47. 1 Peter 5:7

1 Peter 5:7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.

48. John 16:33

John 16:33 I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.

49. Isaiah 57:18-19

Isaiah 57:18-19 “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners, creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the LORD. “And I will heal them.”

50. Psalm 4:8

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Psalm 4:8 In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Prayer for Grief

How do you comfort someone who has lost a loved one? Besides offering a bible verse for the death of a loved one who has recently passed away, we can also offer prayers for grief. Let us pray that God will restore peace and joy in our lives today. 

God the Father, we offer You this prayer seeking the serenity that only You can provide. As our hearts battle grief, we pray that we are able to let go of the pain that sets us back. Though we mourn for our loved ones, we know they are finally at peace and reunited with You. Death brings loss, but we know it is Your sovereign right hand that can wipe away our tears and pain.  May we surrender this pain to you, because we believe that God, You are our portion and hope forever. Send Your Holy Spirit to guide us in growing stronger from our grief. This we ask through Christ our Lord, Amen.