Scripture is not ashamed of grief: Jesus wept at His friend’s tomb, while Paul says that believers grieve for the dead, but not like those who have no hope. God is called the God of all comfort; Scripture promises comfort to those who mourn and calls us to mourn with those who mourn. The Bible sets no time limit or “right” way to grieve.
What does the Bible say about this?
- Jesus wept when He saw the grief at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:33–35).
- Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted (Matthew 5:4); God is the God of all comfort (2 Corinthians 1:3–4).
- Paul does not want believers to be uninformed about those who have died, so that they will not grieve like those who have no hope, and he instructs them to comfort one another with words about the resurrection (1 Thessalonians 4:13–18).
- Mourn with those who mourn (Romans 12:15); there is a time for everything, and a time to mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:1–4).
- Jesus tells His disciples not to be troubled: He is going to prepare a place and will come back to take them to Himself (John 14:1–3).
- Application: grieving is not a lack of faith, and you do not need to rush yourself. Support from loved ones and the Church, prayer, and, in cases of profound grief, professional help can be beneficial. We should not draw conclusions on God’s behalf about the deceased’s destiny, whether to offer comfort or to condemn.
This brief answer was prepared by the editorial team; the Scripture quotations are from the Father’s Blessing Bible.
If this issue concerns you personally
If you are thinking about harming yourself, do not face this alone: contact your local emergency services or ask someone close to stay with you. If you are grieving someone who has passed away, you also need support: talk with loved ones or your pastor.
Key Scripture Passages
9 Scripture passages · Father’s Blessing Bible
John 11:33–35
33 When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and troubled, 34 and said, “Where have you laid him?” They said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” 35 Jesus wept.
Matthew 5:4
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
2 Corinthians 1:3–4
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 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 God Himself comforts us.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
13 We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. 15 For this we say to you by the word of the Lord: We who are alive, who remain until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who remain, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Romans 12:15
Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Ecclesiastes 3:1–4
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance;
John 14:1–3
1 Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many rooms. If that were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am, you may be also.
Psalm 34:18
The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Revelation 21:4
And [God] will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death; neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain will be anymore, because the former things have passed away.
Related questions
- What happens after death?
- Will the dead be resurrected?
- Where does the soul go after death?
- Why does God allow suffering?
