When one of our loved ones dies, we want to do everything we can to honor them and their memory.
A funeral is an important part of the grieving process, and there are many customs and traditions that vary depending on the religion or culture of the family.
One thing that is common in most funerals, though, is the use of prayer. These prayers offer comfort to those who are grieving and provide a sense of finality to the proceedings.
Here are some examples of closing prayers for funerals that you can adapt to fit your own needs.
5 Powerful Closing Prayers For Funerals
1) Closing Prayers For Funerals Samples
“Dear Lord, We give thanks to you for the life of our friend, XXXX who has gone home to rest. And we honor the end of his/her journey here on earth. May he/she now be at peace.
In the name of God, we now commit ______ to your care.
In the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ and by His blessing, we ask that you help us to love one another as He has loved us. May our brother/sister XXXX’S death remind us all again how short life is and may we not waste our time here.
Help us to love one another Your Way, with God’s Love in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
2) Closing Prayers For Funerals Samples
“Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of (insert the person’s name) whose death we mourn at this time.
We ask that you bring his/her family and friends eternal comfort in knowing that they are forever with you. As we mourn his/her passing from this world to your arms, help us to trust that all those who believe in Christ will live forever with Him.
In a world full of sorrow, may we always rejoice in the joy found only in Your eternal love, and may we show that same love to those around us.
Give us the strength to carry on with life, knowing that You will be with us always and forevermore.
We ask for strength and comfort as we mourn the passing of (insert name).
Help us to honor him/her through our lives, knowing that every moment is a gift from You.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.”
3) Closing Prayers For Funerals Samples
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the life of (insert name) who left this world this day.
We praise you for how he/she lived and loved, and we give thanks that he/she finished his/her journey with us here on earth.
Help us to be consoled in knowing that he/she is now home with you.
With grateful hearts, we remember these words from your Holy Word: ‘For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth’ Job 19:25.
Lord, help us to love one another as brothers and sisters in Christ.
Strengthen our faith and give us joyful hope for tomorrow.
We commit (insert name) to your loving care. Amen.”
4) Closing Prayers For Funerals Samples
Most gracious loving heavenly father, We lift up (insert name) to you this day.
You are the giver of all good things, and we thank you for the life of (insert name).
We acknowledge that he/she is your child and we know that you will bring him/her safely home one day. We ask that we may share in Your promise of eternal life.
We ask for strength and comfort in our sadness, knowing that You are our comforter in this time of loss.
Lord God forgive us when we have not loved one another as Christ loves us, and help us to show Your love to each other so that others may see the hope we have because you are with us always.
We ask all these things in Your name, Amen.”
5) Closing Prayers For Funerals Samples
“Dear Lord, thank you for the gift of (insert name), whose life came to an end this day.
We are grateful for the time we had on earth with him/her, and we are comforted knowing he/she has been welcomed into your presence.
We ask that you grant patience and strength to (insert name) as he/her mourns the loss of a loved one.
We look forward with joyful hope to the day when we will be reunited in heaven, where death will be no more.
As we pray for (insert name), help us to love one another in the way of Christ, who laid down his life so that all who believe in him may have eternal life.
In His name we pray, Amen.”
Funeral Prayer Example
6) Closing Prayers For Funerals Samples
“Most loving heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of our life and all Your blessings.
We ask that you comfort us in our loss and give patience to those who mourn.
Give us the grace to live in hope of eternal life with You, and help us to share that hope with those around us.
Help us to cherish this life which is so fragile and know it can be renewed by you in Jesus’ name, Amen.”
7) Closing Prayers For Funerals Samples
“Heavenly Father, we come to you with grateful hearts for the gift of ________.
Embrace him/her with your everlasting love. Grant that he/she may be forever sheltered by your kindness and goodness. Fill us with your love and presence so that we may comfort one another in our time of sorrow.
Help us to live each day as if it were our last. Remind us that death is not an end, but a new beginning for ________. We ask these things in the name of your son, Jesus Christ, Amen.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What Do You Write On A Card For Funeral Flowers?
Often a card is included with flowers for the funeral. The cards, which often come with a flower arrangement, contain a poem or a prayer that expresses sympathy and may mention the deceased’s name.
The following are examples of some commonly used ones:
1)
“In loving memory of (insert person’s name). We will remember you always.”
2)
“Thinking of you in your time of sorrow. We hold you close in our hearts.”
3)
“May our love and prayers be a comfort to you at this difficult time.”
4)
“May the loving God of all comfort bring his presence into your heart during this sad day.”
5)
“We are here to share your burden and to pray that God will give you strength.”
6)
“…may you find peace in the memories shared.”
7)
“Remembering (insert person’s name) with love. If we had enough time we would have changed so many things about the world. We only had enough time for this: You were so loved and so are missed.”
8)
“Please accept our sympathy for your loss. We have come in support of you in this time of need.”
9)
“We are thinking of you (insert name) at this difficult time. May the Love & Peace of Christ comfort you.”
10)
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during your time of grief. May you find comfort and peace in your memories.”
11)
“Please accept our sympathy for your loss at (insert time of death). Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.”
12)
“Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. If we could turn back the clock, we would have changed so many things about the world. We only had enough time for this: You were so loved and are missed.”
13)
“If I could have met you, I would have changed everything about the world. You were so loved. And now you are missed.”
14)
“Today you are in our hearts, tomorrow we will be in yours.”
15)
“Although we did not know you, we feel like we knew you forever. We wish that the circumstances were different and our paths had crossed.”
16)
“We are thinking of you during this difficult time. May the love of God comfort your heart.”
17)
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.”
Q. What Do You Write On A Sympathy Card?
A sympathy card is used to offer condolences after someone has died or lost something.
For example, a sympathy card may be used to express condolences after someone has lost a spouse, child, sibling, or friend. A sympathy card may also be sent in response to significant events such as the loss of a home or family pet.
The following are examples of some commonly used sympathy cards:
1)
“Words cannot begin to express our sorrow at the loss of (insert name). We will always remember (his car / her smile / their support).”
2)
“You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. Please know that we’re sharing in your loss.”
3)
“We were so sorry to hear about the death of (insert name). You and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers.”
4)
“We know words cannot begin to express the pain you must feel at this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
5)
“Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family during this difficult time”
6)
“Please accept our sympathy for your loss. Our deepest sympathies are with you during this time.”
7)
“Please accept our most heartfelt condolences for your tragic loss. We are thinking of you and the family at this difficult time. May the love of Christ comfort your heart.”
8)
“We are deeply sorry to hear about (insert name’s) passing. If we could turn back the clock, we would have changed so many things about the world. We only had enough time for this: You were so loved and missed.”
9)
“You are in our thoughts during this difficult time. If we could have met you, we would have changed everything about the world. You were so loved and will be missed.”
10)
“Please accept our most heartfelt condolences for the loss of (insert name). If we had enough time, we would have changed so many things about the world. We only had enough time for this: You were so loved and are missed.”
11)
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the love & peace of Christ comfort your heart.”
12)
“Our deepest sympathies go out to you and your family. May God grant you peace during this time.”
13)
“Words cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. If words could have helped, I would have whispered them in your ear a thousand times.”
14)
“You will be forever in our hearts. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
15)
“If I could have met you, I would have changed everything about the world. You were so loved and will be missed.”
16)
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ comfort your heart.”
How Do You Close A Funeral Sermon?
A funeral sermon can be closed or ended by having the preacher say something beautiful, comforting, and inspirational to the bereaved family on behalf of the congregation.
One way to conclude a funeral sermon is by encouraging people to remember the deceased in their hearts at all times through prayer and meditation and to be appreciative of the memories that they have.
Here are some examples of messages that can be used for a funeral sermon or service:
“On behalf of everyone gathered here and the family, we remember (insert name) and we thank God for the time we had with him/her. May he/she rest in peace. May our Lord Jesus Christ give you comfort at this difficult time. May the love and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ comfort your heart. Amen.”
“May our memories of (insert name) be a blessing to us all and may we treasure them always. May the Lord bless you and keep you. And may He show His face upon you and give you peace.”
“There is no death, only transformation. May God bless the family and friends of (insert name). As Christ said, ‘I am the resurrection and the life.’ His eternal love will sustain us during this time.”
“May you take comfort in knowing that our loving God cares for each of us personally. The Lord will wipe every tear from your eyes. God be with you.”
“The Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make his face shine upon you and bring peace in His time.”
“Now may God, who gives comfort, give all of us a spirit of unity and love for each other with a humble sense of self-esteem, so that we will have an attitude of brotherly love and a humble mind, in keeping with Christ Jesus.”
Conclusion:
As you can see, there are many ways to end a funeral sermon. What type of conclusion is most effective for your congregation will depend on your personality, personal preferences, and the message that you want to give.
However, the last example seems like a good way to conclude because it encompasses themes such as unity, love, and humility which are all important elements of a funeral.
These words should remain with the congregation and be kept in their hearts so that they can remember and honor the deceased throughout their lives and help them to cope during this grieving process.
You are free to use any above closing prayers for funerals, messages on cards for funeral flowers, or sympathy card messages. I hope this article was helpful.
