I am looking for an appropriate reading from the Bible for a funeral...

[Monte Carlo]

... my mother's funeral. She was 50 years old, and died on Sunday, March 28. She died very suddenly of an acute, horrible illness.

I loved her so very much, and I could only hope to spread as much love, kindness, and affection that she did so unconditionally. As I type this, I know that she is watching over me and that I will join her someday where she is, in a place beyond time, beyond suffering, and beyond any hopes of my comprehension of it. Still, I am now caught somewhere in between disbelief and the hard prospect of a life I will have to live without being able to give her a simple hug and kiss.

I realize that none here knew here, but I was hoping someone here knows of some readings from the Bible that would be appropriate at her funeral this Thursday. I love her so much and always will. The church has given us a generic menu of readings to be read, but they are all so clunky.

If anyone could offer any help, it would be greatly appreciated. I am not presently in the best condition to do much of my own research.

[eyesroll]

1. I'm sorry, Monte Carlo

:hug:

I'm not the right person to offer suggestion, but please know we're thinking of you.

[democracyindanger]

2. My condolences

Truly. And while I can't offer any Bible passages, I think you should start with this line you posted: "I loved her so very much, and I could only hope to spread as much love, kindness, and affection that she did so unconditionally." and go from there. A beautiful sentiment, and much more meaningful and personal.

[mobuto]

3. Oh no

50 is far too young. I wish I could I help you as well, but neither my command of the Bible nor my knowledge of who your mother was as a person is enough to answer your question. All the best.

[Monte Carlo]

6. I've learned that there is no good age to lose one's mother.

Whether one is 24 (like me) or 60. It still hurts, very much, and I think the biggest pain is that she will not get to see her grandchildren.

[mourningdove92]

4. I am so sorry for your loss. When my mother passed, I read

the following at her memorial.
John Chapter 14, verses 1-7
and
Ecclesiastes Chapter 3, Verses 1-9

[Monte Carlo]

5. I appreciate your help.

The verses they selected for us are rather generic, or maybe it is just me. I've been looking online for some good readings, but no luck yet.

[Loki]

7. I'm so sorry Monte Carlo

Those of us here who know the Bible far better than I will offer their suggestions, and I want to offer you my prayers and heartfelt sympathy.

[TNDemo]

8. Would you be interested in some poetry

that I had read at my mother's funeral this year? It is not from the Bible but appropriate for a funeral.

[proud patriot]

9. I read Anyway By Mother Teresa

at a funeral once . I was thanked for it afterwards .

[Ilsa]

10. Here's something a little different...

Jeremiah 29, verses 10-14. his letters to the exiles...

For thus says the Lord: when seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will visit you, and i will fulfill to you my promise and bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and i will hear you. You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with your heart, I will be found by you, says the Lord, ...

I am so sorry for your loss. No one knows you like your mom. I hope the plans you're making proceed smoothly.

[Bossy Monkey]

11. All my condolences

I echo the thought that you should use your own words, which are obviously heartfelt. If it helps, though, here's a searchable King James version: http://www.bartleby.com/108/

[ScreamingMeemie]

12. Monte, my heart and my thoughts go out to you...This is perhaps

(at least in my mind) one of the most beautiful passages in the Bible. I read it at my beloved Grandpa's funeral:

Wisdom Chapter 3, Verses 1-9:

But the souls of the just are in the hand of God,
and no torment shall touch them.

They seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead;
and their passing away was thought an affliction
and their going forth from us, utter destruction.

But they are in peace.

For if before men, indeed, they be punished,
yet is their hope full of immortality;

chastised a little, they shall be greatly blessed,
because God tried them
and found them worthy of himself.

As gold in the furnace, he proved them, and as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself.

In the time of their visitation, they shall shine,
and shall dart about as sparks through stubble;

They shall judge nations and rule over peoples,
and the Lord shall be their King forever.

Those who trust in him shall understand truth,
and the faithful shall abide with him in love;
Because grace and mercy are with his holy ones,
and his care is with his elect.

**May time and memories help you through...again, I am so very sorry.

:hug: Laura

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

13. "A Woman of Valor" is appropriate. From the Old Testament.

A woman of valor, who can find? Far beyond pearls is her value.
Her husband's heart trusts in her and he shall lack no fortune.
She repays his good, but never his harm, all the days of her life.
She seeks out wool and linen, and her hands work willingly,
She is like a merchant's ships; from afar she brings her sustenance.
She rises while it is still nighttime, and gives food to her household and a ration to her maids.
She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her handiwork she plants a vineyard.
She girds her loins with might and strengthens her arms.
She senses that her enterprise is good, so her lamp is not extinguished at night.
She puts her hand to the distaff, and her palms support the spindle.
She spreads out her palm to the poor and extends her hands to the destitute.
She fears not snow for her household, for her entire household is clothed with scarlet wool.
Bedspreads she makes herself; linen and purple wool are her clothing.
Well-known at the gates is her husband as he sits with the elders of the land.
Garments she makes and sells, and she delivers a belt to the peddler.
Strength and splendor are her clothing, and smilingly she awaits her last day.
She opens her mouth with Wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
She anticipates the needs of her household, and the bread of idleness, she does not eat.
Her children rise and celebrate her; and her husband, he praises her:
"Many daughters have attained valor, but you have surpassed them all."
False is grace, and vain is beauty; a God-fearing woman, she should be praised.
Give her the fruit of her hands, and she will be praised at the gates by her very own deeds.
Proverbs 31:10-31



This hymn is from the Old Testament but the description of this model woman, who is a devoted wife and mother, as followed the example set by the matriarchs Sarah and Rebecca.

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

14. My condolences on your loss. I should have said that. My thoughts

are with you.

[cosmicdot]

15. at my mom's funeral, we used the same scripture used at her mother's ...

Proverbs 31: 10-29


I thought it was nice that Ecclesiastes follows Proverbs ...

peace and sympathy to you and yours

Ecclesiastes 3

1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace

[put out]

16. I am so very sorry for your loss.

A passage from Shakespeare, too, maybe. From "The Merchant of Venice", Portia's talking about the quality of mercy. Or, 1st Corinthians, the quality of love.

I just don't know how to help. Our thoughts are with you. I hope you have some peace. It seems you loved each other very much.

Kim

[YellowRubberDuckie]

17. What about...

For everything there is a season? I don't know where it's at, but I'm sure someone does...I'm sorry about the loss of your mom. My dad died at 61 back in 96 of asthma and emphazema. I'm very sorry.
Duckie

[Lydia Leftcoast]

18. I'm so sorry, Monte Carlo

Fifty is much too young. :hug:

Of the readings suggested so far, I like the one from Wisdom.