Copy funeral program prayers, scripture readings, poems, and remembrance verses for a printed memorial or service program.
Each passage below has a copy button so you can save it, share it with family, or paste it into a FuneralFolio program draft.
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Funeral Program Prayers You Can Copy
These are the traditional prayers and scripture readings available in our funeral program editor. They work well on an inside panel, order-of-service page, or closing reflection section.
The 23rd Psalm
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. …
The Lord's Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, …
Prayer of St. Francis
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; …
Eternal Rest Prayer
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May their soul and the souls of all …
Serenity Prayer
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; …
Ecclesiastes 3:1–8
To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; …
Short Funeral Prayers and Blessings
These shorter blessings are helpful when a family wants a gentle, spiritual passage that fits neatly beside photos, service details, or a short biography.
An Irish Blessing
May the road rise to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, …
Old Irish Blessing
May the rains sweep gentle across your fields, may the sun warm the land, …
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Prayer selection and obituary writing are included free.
Funeral Poems and Non-Religious Readings
These poems and readings are commonly used in funeral programs when the family wants words of remembrance, release, and comfort rather than a formal prayer.
Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, …
Death Is Nothing at All
Death is nothing at all. I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you. …
Crossing the Bar
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, …
Remember Me – Christina Rossetti
Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, …
Let Me Go
When I come to the end of the road, And the sun has set for me, I want no rites in a gloom-filled room, …
High Flight
Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings; Sunward I've climbed, and joined the tumbling mirth …
She Is Gone
You can shed tears that she is gone, Or you can smile because she has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that she'll come back, …
He Is Gone
You can shed tears that he is gone, Or you can smile because he has lived. You can close your eyes and pray that he'll come back, …
Short Remembrance Verses for Funeral Programs
These shorter selections are useful when space is limited, especially for folded funeral programs, memorial cards, and program backs.
Safely Home
I am home in Heaven, dear ones; Oh, so happy and so bright! There is perfect joy and beauty …
God’s Garden
God saw you getting tired and a cure was not to be, so He put His arms around you …
Footprints in the Sand
One night I dreamed a dream. As I was walking along the beach with my Lord, across the dark sky flashed scenes from my life. …
I’m Free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free, I took His hand when I heard Him call, I turned my back and left it all. …
Afterglow
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one. I'd like to leave an afterglow …
The Broken Chain
We little knew that morning that God was going to call your name. In life we loved you dearly, …
A Life Well Lived
A life well lived is a precious gift of hope and strength and grace, from someone who has made our world …
If Tomorrow Starts Without Me
If tomorrow starts without me, and I'm not there to see, if the sun should rise and find your eyes …
As I Sit in Heaven
As I sit in heaven and watch you everyday, I try to let you know with signs …
Gone From My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze …
To Those Whom I Love
When I am gone, release me, let me go. I have so many things to see and do. You mustn't tie yourself to me with tears, …
In Our Hearts
Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day. Unseen, unheard, but always near, …
Your Life Was a Blessing
Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure. You are loved beyond words …
The Angel’s Prayer
An angel came and called your name, and took you by the hand. Although you left us far too soon, …
Rest in Peace
Softly in the morning, you heard a gentle call, you took the hand God offered you …
We Hold You Close
We hold you close within our hearts, and there you shall remain, to walk with us throughout our lives, …
Only a Memory Away
So if you need me, call and I will come. Though you can't see or touch me, I'll be near. And if you listen with your heart, you'll hear …
How to choose a prayer for a funeral program
Start with the tone of the service. For a traditional Christian or Catholic service, Psalm 23, The Lord's Prayer, Prayer of St. Francis, or Eternal Rest Prayer may feel familiar and grounding. For a non-denominational memorial, a poem such as Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep, Afterglow, A Life Well Lived, or Gone From My Sight may feel warmer and more personal.
Consider the available space in the program. Long readings usually fit best on an inside panel or full page. Short verses can fit beside a photo, beneath a biography, or on the back cover. If the program already includes a detailed order of service, choose a shorter selection so the design stays clean and readable.
You can also personalize the wording gently. Many families replace pronouns, add the person's name, or pair a traditional prayer with a personal note. If none of the included options feels right, FuneralFolio also lets you add your own prayer, poem, or message in the program editor.
Create a funeral program
Prayer selection and obituary writing are included free.
Frequently asked questions
What prayer is most commonly used in a funeral program?
Psalm 23 and The Lord's Prayer are two of the most common choices, especially for Christian services. They are familiar to many guests and offer a clear sense of comfort and faith.
Can a funeral program include a poem instead of a prayer?
Yes. Many families choose a poem, blessing, or remembrance verse instead of a formal prayer. This can be especially appropriate for celebration of life services, non-denominational memorials, or services where the family wants a gentler tone.
Where should the prayer go in the funeral program?
A prayer or reading usually appears on an inside page, near the order of service, biography, or photo tribute. Short verses can also work well on the back cover as a closing message.
Can I copy these prayers into my own program?
Yes. Use the copy buttons above to copy any included passage. You can then paste it into your FuneralFolio funeral program, share it with family, or adapt it for the service.