Sermons on Funerals:

Reflections On Life

Contributed by Dr. Lewis W. Gregory on Nov 4, 2025

The loss of a family member or friend can be very difficult. As we get older we begin to lose so many. Death is always a very sad and sobering time. But our Lord offers comfort to sustain us.

I. WHAT IS OUR LIFE? A. All of Life is on a Timetable - In the physical sense, we are born to die. But, in the spiritual sense, we are born to live. What then is our life?  It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. God knows our frame; He ...read more

Scripture: Ecclesiastes 3:1-6

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

A Good Soldier Of Christ Jesus

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Feb 25, 2010

Funeral sermon for John Sheppard, retired Army sergeant, who had taken on a life of service and who had suffered with illness for several years.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, then today the photographs you have selected will suffice for the message. In one of them there is a young man, wearing the uniform of the United States Army. This young man’s face displays dignity; his bearing is proud, his eyes are steady, his stance is ...read more

Scripture: 2 Timothy 2:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

The Walking Billboard Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 9, 2017

Why would Jesus show up 4 days late for the funeral of one of His best friends? What was Jesus trying to teach and what can we learn from this miracle/"sign"?

OPEN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3lp0z981iM (Mark Lowry time stamp: 15:32-16:47) When the dead sit up… the funeral’s over. (That’s the last sentence in Mark Lowry’s segment on YouTube) In Jesus’ ministry He raised only 3 people from the dead. 1. The son of the widow from Nain. 2. The ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-53

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Divine Comedy - Easter Day

Contributed by Christopher Howitz on Apr 17, 2018

Jesus has the last laugh! In Jesus' resurrection, the Creator of the Universe gives His answer to the rejection of His Son at Calvary. In Christ, our lives no longer end in our funeral but rather in the Wedding of the Lamb.

Jokes can be pretty mean, and maybe April 1st, being April Fools Day in some parts, can be a pretty worrying time – you might be always looking over your shoulder, not sure if you’re going to get pranked before mid-day strikes. However, this April 1st, this April Fools Day, also happens to be ...read more

Scripture: John 20:1-18

Denomination: Episcopal/Anglican

Without Wavering

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Nov 11, 2009

Funeral sermon for Howard Abernethy, the church’s longest-standing member. He lived without wavering from old values, from his church, from his friendships.

Howard Abernethy approached me after worship one Sunday and said that he and his wife wanted to invite Margaret and me on a little excursion. It would be a day on the railroad. He had learned that my grandfather had been a railroad mechanic, and thought maybe we were kindred spirits. Howard ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 26:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

The Death Of Moses Series

Contributed by Brad Beaman on May 6, 2022

Moses is great, but he taught us one is coming worthy of greater honor. God used a tiny baby drawn from the water to deliver Egypt. One day God will send the messiah, Jesus Christ to deliver His people from sin.

Deuteronomy 34 is the section of the Pentateuch (first 5 books of the Bible written by Moses) that Moses did not write because Moses could not have written the section about his own death. This section is attributed to Joshua. Moses died at the age of 120 years old. Read Deuteronomy 34 It took ...read more

Scripture: Deuteronomy 34:1-12

Denomination: Baptist

Lord, I Hope This Day Is Good

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 19, 2019

This was a funeral for a woman who had struggled with disease for several years. Every time she went to see the doctor she asked her daughter to play the song "Lord, I hope this day is good."

(prior to the sermon the funeral home played the old Country hit “Lord, I hope this day is good.”) OPEN: Kay was a wonderful woman who struggled with a terrible disease that ultimately took her life. Every day that she had to go to see the doctor she’d ask her daughter to play the song we just ...read more

Scripture: John 11:17-44

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

The Heart Of A Shepherd - A Man After God's Own Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Mar 14, 2005

Psalm 23 is often quoted at funerals. But this is not a Psalm about death... it’s a song about life. The life that only the good shepherd can supply.

OPEN: I once read the story about a 1st-grader stood in front of his classroom. The class had been taking turns in front of the room answering the question “What do you want to be when you grow up?” This little boy stood up and said, "I’m going to be a lion tamer and have lots of fierce ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 23:1-6

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

In The Heavenlies!

Contributed by Jerry Shirley on Jan 23, 2013

At a Christian’s funeral we say they have gone on to heaven. In truth, their heart had already been there for years, and the rest of their person is now rejoining their heart!

In the Heavenlies Ephesians 1:3 http://gbcdecatur.org/sermons/130123.mp3 v. 3 is the key verse of this book. It is summarized in three words: "all spiritual blessings". Then vv. 4-14 give the detail of what ’all’ means. We are rich and famous in things that really matter. Rich as joint heirs ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-3

Denomination: Baptist

Sola Gratia - Salvation By Grace Alone Series

Contributed by Stephen Belokur on Nov 22, 2017

What is Grace? When the world hears "Amazing Grace" what do they think it means? Is it just a funeral dirge to be played by bagpipers? What is the source of Grace?

Please open your Bibles to John 1:1-18 which we will read in a few minutes. Over the past couple of weeks we have been taking a look at the five “Solas” that were established after the Protestant Reformation came along in 1517. These “Solas” are not something that was invented in the 16th century ...read more

Scripture: John 1:1-18, John 1:16-17

Denomination: Nazarene

All We Need Is Love. Oh, Really?

Contributed by Ovidiu Radulescu on Jul 29, 2008

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1.Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2.Mohamed is his prophet

Did you ever heard or thought that doctrines are not so important? All we need is Jesus… We don’t need that extra stuff. As Christians, how many doctrines we got so far? Muslims got 5. 1. Allah Akbar – Allah is one. 2. Mohamed is his prophet. 3. Give to the poor. 4. Fast at the end of Ramadan. ...read more

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

New Year 2023 - Your Legacy: Will It Make It Through The Fire?

Contributed by Rodney V Johnson on Dec 20, 2022

As we begin a new year, I wanted to share a message about our legacy. As you read the fictional stories of the three funerals, think about what your legacy will be when you leave here.

Your Legacy: Will It Make It Through The Fire? Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21; First Corinthians 3:11-15 Happy New Year New Light! This morning I want to talk with you about your legacy – the one you will leave behind on earth but will greet you in heaven. This is the first Sunday of a new year and ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21, 1 Corinthians 3:11-15

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

How To Participate In The Resurrection Series

Contributed by W Pat Cunningham on Apr 1, 2013

The witness of the apostles to the Resurrection challenges us to face the mystery of our own existence and life, and adopt a way of life that would inspire others at our own funerals.

Monday of Easter Week Gaudium et Spes Fifty-one days. What a difference fifty-one days can make, if Jesus Christ and the Spirit of Jesus Christ permeates those days. Look at the followers of Jesus in the wake of His arrest, torture and execution. They were cowering in a little upper room in ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:8-15

Denomination: Catholic

A Living Testimony

Contributed by Larry Grant on Mar 13, 2022

Lazarus would one day die again, and he would have another funeral, but because of him, everyone that encountered him would receive a Living Testimony!

The Changed (v.2 but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table) • Martha – Still serving, but now with no complaints for Jesus • Mary – Still at His feet, but now preparing for Jesus’ burial • Lazarus – Still with his sisters, but now alive and sitting at dinner with Jesus. He was alive and ...read more

Scripture: John 12:9-11

Denomination: Baptist

The Tears That Touched Jesus’ Heart Series

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Apr 15, 2012

Jesus only raised 3 people (that I know of) from the dead. Why didn’t He raise everybody out of the grave? Why just people like this only son of the widow of Nain?

OPEN: One of my favorite radio preachers is a man named Tony Evans. I remember listening to him use an illustration about standing in a cafeteria line – and he made it sound intriguing and almost exciting. What I want to share with you this morning (copying as best I can Evans’ distinctive way of ...read more

Scripture: Luke 7:11-17

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ