Being a hospice chaplain for five years, I’ve had the privilege of being present for many memorial services and prayers. I’ve witnessed how these funeral prayers can bring comfort, solace, and hope to family members who are grieving and for loved ones right before they pass away.
Most memorial prayers are said by a clergy member, good friends, or family member. These prayers are usually recited at a funeral, graveside service, or during a memorial ceremony.
The purpose of these prayers is to honor the life of the deceased and to offer support and comfort to those left behind.
But what makes a good memorial prayer? Is it the words used? The tone? Or maybe it’s the intention behind the prayer? In my experience, a good memorial prayer is one that speaks to the heart and soul of those listening.
It’s a prayer that acknowledges the pain and sadness but also offers hope and healing.
Today you’ll find many different types of memorial prayers, from traditional religious ones to more contemporary and personal ones.
Regardless of the type, these prayers all serve the same purpose – to help you say goodbye to your loved ones and honor their memory.
Here are a few examples of memorial prayers that have touched my heart and the hearts of those attending the service:
Opening Prayer
Dear Lord, as we gather here today to remember and honor the life of [Name], guide our hearts and minds. Will you bless our departed loved and guide them in their eternal rest? They’ve toiled much and suffered much, but also knew the Lord Jesus Christ well. May your everlasting love, grace, and holy spirit surround us as we share memories and say goodbye. Amen.
O Lord, as we gather for [Name]s funeral service, we ask for your presence and strength. Help us to mourn with hope and cling to the promise of eternal life you have given through your son, Jesus Christ. May we find peace in your love and comfort in our shared memories of [Name] as we have this celebration of life. Amen.
Dear God, in this time of sorrow and loss, we turn to you for comfort and strength. We thank you for the life of [Name], for their love, kindness, and all the memories we hold dear. May their spirit live on in our hearts and guide us as we navigate this difficult time. Amen.
Prayer for Comfort
Heavenly Father, we ask for your comfort in this time of undue grief. May you wrap your loving arms around each person here and remind us of your never-ending love. May we find solace in knowing that [Name] is now at peace with you. In your son’s name, even Jesus Christ, amen.
Dear Almighty God, will you bless us with your divine presence and peace as we mourn the loss of [Name]? Help us to find comfort in your promises and hold on to the hope of seeing our loved one again in heaven. We thank you for their life, and we trust in your perfect plan for them. In Christ Jesus name, amen.
Father, may the light of God shine on the final resting place of [Name]. May their soul rest in the peace of God and may their legacy live on through the memories and lives they have touched. We thank you for the gift of their life and ask for your comfort and strength as we say goodbye. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer for Strength
Lord, give us the strength to carry on in the absence of [Name]. We know that they are now in a better place, free from pain and suffering. Help us to honor their memory by living our lives to the fullest, just as they did. Amen.
Father, may this family chain remain unbroken, even in the wake of [Name]’s passing. May we lean on each other for support and find solace in knowing that they are now with you. Give us the strength to move forward with hope and hold onto the memories we cherish. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Heavenly Father, we thank you for our dear savior who makes a gloom-filled room bright with the light of your love. We ask that you comfort us through this difficult time and give us the strength to carry on. We trust in your plan, even when it doesn’t make sense to us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer for Peace
O God, we ask for your peace to fill our hearts and minds during this difficult time. Help us to find rest and comfort in you, knowing that [Name] is now resting in your loving arms. Amen.
We thank you Lord for being our source of strength as we say our final farewells to [Name]. May your peace that surpasses all human understanding guard our hearts and minds, and may we find comfort in knowing they are now at peace with you. Bless their family in the midst of our grief. In Jesus’ name, amen. In Jesus’ name, amen.
God of all comfort, we come to you in our time of need as we mourn the loss of [Name]. We ask for your comforting embrace to fill our hearts and minds during this difficult time. Help us to find solace in knowing that they are now at peace with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Father, as we gather here today to celebrate the life of [Name], we ask for your peace to fill this place. Comfort us in our grief and give us the strength to carry on in the days ahead. May we hold onto the memories and lessons that they have left behind, and may their legacy continue on through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Prayer for Healing
Eternal God, we pray for healing for those who are struggling with the loss of [Name]. May your love and grace bring comfort to their hearts and help them find peace during this difficult time. Amen.
Dear Father, may the love of God rest upon those who are grieving the loss of [Name]. May your healing touch bring them comfort and strength as they navigate through this difficult time. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Heavenly Father, we lift up all those who are struggling with the pain of losing [Name]. We ask for your healing power to wash over them and grant them peace in the midst of their sorrow. May they find solace in knowing that [Name] is now resting in your loving arms. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their souls and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Lord God, may your infinite love and mercy shine upon [Name] now and forever. May they rest in eternal peace and happiness in your kingdom. Amen.
As we mourn the loss of our beloved [Name], let us remember that death is not the end, but a new beginning. We trust in God’s promise of eternal life for those who believe in Him. Our loved one may no longer be with us physically, but their memory and legacy will live on forever in our hearts. Let us find comfort in knowing that they are now at peace in the arms of God. Amen.
Prayer for Remembering
Dear Father, we thank you for the life of [Name] and all the memories we have shared with them. Help us to remember them with joy and gratitude, knowing that they are now with you. May their legacy live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved them. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Lord, be a beacon of light for all those who are grieving the loss of [Name]. May they find strength and hope in your promise of eternal life. Help us to be a source of comfort and support for one another during this time of mourning. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Scriptures For Grieving
Psalm 27:4-5 – “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.”
Psalm 23:1–6 – “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”
1 Corinthians 15:55-56 – “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.”
Matthew 6:11-13 – “Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (excerpt from The Lord’s Prayer)
John 14:27 – “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
Anima Christi Prayer
Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O Good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds hide me.
Permit me not to be separated from you.
From the wicked foe, defend me.
At the hour of my death, call me
and bid me come to you
That with your saints I may praise you
For ever and ever. Amen.
Resurrection Prayer
Father, we thank you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ. We thank you that through His death and resurrection, we have the hope of eternal life with you. Help us to remember your love for us and to live each day with gratitude and joy in our hearts. May we also be a witness of your love to others, sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ. And merciful Father, bless this family with thy eternal love as you welcome [Name] into thy kingdom. Amen.
Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rain fall soft upon your fields and until we meet
again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand. Amen
Blessed Assurance
Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Perfect submission, all is at rest.
I in my Savior am happy and bless’d,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
Non-Religious Funeral Blessing
If your loved one is not having a Christian funeral, you can still use this prayer. You may also add personal touches like memories or special moments shared with the individual. This is a time to remember and celebrate their life and the impact they had on those around them.
May you find happiness during difficult times,
And love in the tired face of sorrow.
May you find comfort in memories,
And hope for tomorrow.
As you grieve and mourn, may you also celebrate a life well lived.
May the light of your loved one continue to shine bright,
Guiding you through the darkness and into the light.
Although they have left this earthly plane, their love remains forever with us.
May you find peace and solace in their love, now and always.
May sunny days be yours and may rainbows follow after every storm.
And may you find strength in the love and support of those around you,
For they will live on forever in your heart.
These prayers are just a few examples of how we can bring comfort, strength, peace, and healing to those in mourning.
They serve as reminders that even in times of great loss, we are not alone.
May you find peace and solace during your time of grief, and may these prayers bring you comfort as you navigate through your emotions. Remember that God is always with you, and he will never leave your side. Lean on him for strength and trust that he will carry you through this difficult time.
Let us also remember to be there for one another, offering a listening ear or a shoulder to cry on. We are all part of a larger community, and it is in times like these that we must come together to support and uplift each other.
Please feel free to put in a prayer request in the comments below if you or someone you know is in need of prayer.
Remember, mourning is a natural part of the human experience, and it’s okay to not be okay. But know that with time and with the support of our loved ones and God, we can find peace and healing.
Micah Klug
Micah Klug is a wife, homeschooling mother to five children, and author. She teaches time-tested solutions to help parents remember what matters most in life, including strengthening their home, faith, and family relationships. To learn how a child who grew up in an authoritarian home is now creating an environment of peace and joy in her own home visit this page. If you want to contact Micah, send her an email here or email [emailprotected].
