Sermons on Grief:

From Despair To Hope

Contributed by David Dunn on Sep 8, 2025

Funerals today are often called celebrations of life. While we grieve, we also celebrate the hope that is ours through Christ. As Paul reminds us, we do not “grieve as others who have no hope,” for Jesus’ death and resurrection assures us of eternal life.

Funerals are some of the hardest moments of our lives. We come with tears, with memories, with aching hearts. Death feels final. We feel the empty chair at the table. We hear the silence where laughter once rang. We even catch the scent of a shirt still hanging in the closet, and it all reminds us ...read more

Scripture: John 14:1-6, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-14

Denomination: Seventh-Day Adventist

Funeral Sermon For The Loss Of A Young Child: "the Smallest Life, A Miracle" Series

Contributed by Ian Hyde on Jun 23, 2023

The loss of a young child or infant is one of the most difficult experiences for any family to process. This funeral sermon is meant to communicate the inherent beauty and worth of even the most fleeting of lives.

Words alone cannot comfort a grieving heart, because words cannot replace the ones we love. Even the most beautiful words are little things, here for only a moment, fleeting and often unnoticed. We live in a world filled with words, some shouted from rooftops and some whispered in a quiet room, yet ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 139:7-18, Revelation 21:1-5

Denomination: Nazarene

"Penny Rich And Dollar Poor"

Contributed by Jerry Depoy on Jul 7, 2004

Do you see your problem as a grief or ASA gift? (King Asa)

Text, Key Verse: 2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him... Title of the message: “Penny Rich and Dollar Poor” 1. Asa was "Penny Rich." Asa dedicated himself to the ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

The Joy Of Christian Repentance Series

Contributed by Chris Appleby on Feb 7, 2005

Godly repentance comes as a result of godly grief, it leads to salvation & it brings no regrets.

By Danny Saunders I’d like to introduce you to Jay Rayner. Jay Rayner has set up an apology Website. That’s right an apology Website. How it works is people can log on to www.the-apologist.co.uk & register an apology, they can say sorry to anyone for anything & so unburden themselves of all the ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 7:2-16

Denomination: Anglican

Funeral For 55 Year Old Unbeliever

Contributed by Perry Greene on Feb 18, 2014

In tomes of grief we must focus our attention on the steadfast love of the LORD.

Family Enters -- As the Deer Pants for the Water Family Seated -- Introduce Congregational Song: "I'll Fly Away" I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whoever lives and believes in me shall never die. John 11:25 1. The Funeral is a ...read more

Scripture: Lamentations 3:20-25

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Our Living Hope! Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Apr 11, 2017

Jesus is alive, so be sure of a glorious future and be glad even in times of grief.

Judy Packard of Lake Leelanau, Michigan, talks about the time her neighbor, visiting the Holy Land, sent a letter describing the beautiful gardens. Her 6-year-old mused, “I wonder if he saw the rose.” “What rose?” Judy asked. “You know,” said her child, “like the Bible women saw. They went ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:1-12

Denomination: Evangelical Free

Do Not Weep As Those Without Hope (Funeral Sermon) Series

Contributed by Rev. Samuel Arimoro on Apr 6, 2025

As believers, our grief is marked by a hope that transcends the sorrow we feel in this moment.

DO NOT WEEP AS THOSE WITHOUT HOPE (Funeral Sermon) By Rev. Samuel Arimoro Main Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:13 (KJV) But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. INTRODUCTION: Death often brings ...read more

Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:13

Denomination: Assembly Of God

"Jesus Gives Us A Way Of Transforming The Negative Experience Of Grief Into

Contributed by Dr. Jerry Morrissey on Apr 27, 2002

May 5, 2002 -- SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER John 14:15-21 Color: White Title: “Jesus gives us a way of transforming the negative experience of grief into a positive experience; Christ presence.”

May 5, 2002 -- SIXTH SUNDAY OF EASTER John 14:15-21 Color: White Title: “Jesus gives us a way of transforming the negative experience of grief into a positive experience; Christ presence.” Jesus continues his farewell discourse to his disciples; this section begins and ends with a statement ...read more

Scripture: John 14:15-21

Denomination: Lutheran

Part 3: Counseling Those In Pain Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Jan 27, 2026

When someone is in grief or emotional agony, you may feel powerless to help. But you're not. Scripture gives us words that will bring real, deep, lasting comfort.

Your friend is going through some terrible physical or emotional suffering, or is overcome with grief over sin or some great loss, and comes to you for help. She does not have a specific behavior that needs to change; she just needs to know how to handle it. How do you give biblical counsel? Those ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

What You Need, God Has

Contributed by Christopher Roberts on Sep 13, 2002

Jesus knew the disciples would face trials, persecution, and death. He knew they would have grief. So he comforted them. And Jesus comforts us as well when we are having problems and face grief.

Series: “What To Do” See also I Don’t Know What To Do; But I’m Disappointed; But I Just Can’t Win; But Life is Too Hard; What You Need, God Has) As I choose this passage to preach, I knew that these three verses were the three from the entire 16th chapter of John that I would concentrate on. In ...read more

Scripture: John 16:32-33

Denomination: Methodist

Speak The Word

Contributed by Charles Scott on Dec 16, 2007

Words are the tools we use to bring the healing Living Word, the Christ, to those in grief.

SPEAK THE WORD JOHN 4__16—26 What did he say? Did he say anything; anything that made sense? Such questions arise after the usual Sunday morning sermon. Words, words, words. In this time and place, do the words uttered in church mean anything? One doesn’t have to search very far in our world ...read more

Scripture: John 4:16-26

Denomination: Anglican

Triumph In The Midst Of Tragedy

Contributed by Kevin L. Jones on Aug 31, 2014

A sermon examining the fact that we can experience victory in the midst of times of distress and grief.

TRIUMPH IN THE MIDST OF TRAGEDY Psalm 3:1-8 - In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 King Solomon said: To everything there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: A time to be born, And a time to die; A time to plant, And a time to pluck what is planted; A time to kill, And a time to heal; A time ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Baptist

Easter Sunday - Matthew 28

Contributed by Matt Stone on Apr 6, 2020

At Easter, God transforms fear to peace, disciples to brothers, worship to mission and grief to joy.

The Natural History Museum in London used to have an earthquake simulator. You’d stand in the middle of a pretend Japanese supermarket and the floor would move, literally, under your feet. You’d get jolted back and forth. It always felt a little bit tame – I suspect they didn’t want anyone to hurt ...read more

Denomination: Presbyterian/Reformed

Encountering Jesus - Thinking Clearly - Realising The Truth. Series

Contributed by Mark Van Cuylenburg on May 18, 2020

We all have loved ones who die. Grief drags us down.

Encountering Jesus - Thinking clearly - Realising the truth. Luke 24:36-49 The passage from Luke's Gospel chapter 24 about the two distraught disciples on the road to Emmaus and the happenings in the upper room keeps playing on my mind, and I find myself returning to it on a daily ...read more

Scripture: Luke 24:36-49, John 14:16, Luke 10:9

Denomination: Baptist

Part 11: Walking Through Grief: Biblical Guidance For Heartbreak And Loss Series

Contributed by Darrell Ferguson on Feb 13, 2026

When loss shatters your world, it’s easy to drift into anger, guilt, blame, or despair. Scripture shows a better way to grieve—honestly, deeply, and without sin.

For free audio or video download of this message, visit https://www.treasuringgod.com/sermons-by-scripture or my YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/@DarrellFerguson. Grief over a major loss, especially loss of a loved one, can be one of the most intense kinds of pain. The permanence of ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 34:18