What Should be the Opening Words of a Funeral Service?

Opening a funeral service can feel awkward speaking the first words to the family who has just lost their loved one. Yet because of the attentiveness people give in those moments, we must seize the opportunity to choose these words carefully as they will set the tone for the entire service. 

A good rule of thumb is always to allow God to speak before you do. Keep in mind that though there are different kinds of people attending the funeral, they are all in their own way asking the question, “Why, God?”

Choose a passage of Scripture that cuts through the questions, sorrow, and skepticism to declare the unchanging character of our great God. Prepare in such a way you can stand up, move to the pulpit and then say, “Hear these words about our great, unchanging God. . . .”

Biblical Words for Opening a Funeral

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." (2 Corinthians 1:3-4)

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. (Psalm 34:18)

The Lord is righteous in all His ways and kind in all His deeds. The Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth. He will fulfill the desires of those who fear Him; He will also hear their cry and will save them. The Lord keeps all who love Him, but all the wicked He will destroy. My mouth will speak the praise of the Lord and all flesh will bless His holy name forever and ever. (Psalm 145:17-21)

God’s words will always be more powerful, profound, and pervasive than ours. Begin by allowing God to pierce through the doubts by speaking first. After you have prepared a welcome for those attending and state why you have gathered, prepare the rest of the funeral service around five areas, asking how the gospel can be accurately portrayed in them: prayer, music, Scripture readings, eulogy, and sermon.

A Prayer for Comfort

Almighty God, Father of all mercies and giver of all comfort: deal graciously, we pray, with those who mourn, that, casting all their care on you, they may know the consolation of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 

Brian Croft is the Senior Pastor of Auburndale Baptist Church. To find out more, please visit Practical Shepherding. Photo; ©RNS/Alyssa Pointer/Atlanta Journal-Constitution/AP/Pool