Sympathy Bible Verses for Cards: 12 Verses of Comfort

A sympathy card does not need many words. One verse and a line or two of your own is enough. Below are twelve verses from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB), grouped by how much room you have, with a note on when each one fits.

Short verses for a small card

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4, BSB)

Jesus said this near the start of the Sermon on the Mount. It is short enough for almost any card.

The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit. (Psalm 34:18, BSB)

A safe choice when you are not sure what to write. It speaks of God being near and does not try to explain the loss.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds. (Psalm 147:3, BSB)

Jesus wept. (John 11:35, BSB)

Jesus wept at the tomb of his friend Lazarus. Some grieving people find this verse gives them permission to cry. It is often called the shortest verse in the Bible.

Verses about walking with someone in grief

Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep. (Romans 12:15, BSB)

Paul wrote this to the church in Rome as part of a list on how to love one another. It suits a card from someone who also plans to visit or bring a meal.

Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. (Matthew 11:28, BSB)

A good fit for someone worn out after caring for a family member through a long illness.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4, BSB)

Psalm 23 is one of the psalms listed for the burial service in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, and many families choose it. Verse 4 is the line about the valley of the shadow of death.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. (2 Corinthians 1:3–4, BSB)

Paul ties receiving comfort to passing it on. It fits a card from someone who has lost a parent or a spouse too.

Verses of hope for a longer note

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in Me will live, even though he dies. And everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25–26, BSB)

Jesus said this to Martha after her brother Lazarus died. John 11:21–27 is one of the Gospel readings listed in the Book of Common Prayer burial rite.

In My Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and welcome you into My presence, so that you also may be where I am. (John 14:2–3, BSB)

These verses come from John 14:1–6, another listed burial reading. Verse 1 opens with “Do not let your hearts be troubled.”

Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. 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. (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14, BSB)

Paul wrote this to believers in Thessalonica who were mourning church members. He speaks of grieving with hope, so it suits a card to a Christian family who has lost a believer.

‘He will wipe away every tear from their eyes,’ and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away. (Revelation 21:4, BSB)

A picture of the new heaven and new earth. Some people find it hard to read in the first days after a death. It can work better in a card sent a few weeks later, or for a family who chose it for the service.

What to write in a sympathy card

Short is better. Here are a few sample messages a Christian friend might write:

• “I am so sorry about your mom. I am praying for you and your family this week.”
• “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted; He saves the contrite in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) “Thinking of you, and remembering how David always made us laugh.”
• “We loved Grandma Ruth. I am bringing dinner on Thursday. No need to reply.”
• “Praying for you as you say goodbye to your dad. I will call next week.”

Lines such as “Everything happens for a reason,” “I know how you feel” or “She is in a better place, so don’t be sad” are meant kindly, but they can make a grieving person feel rushed. If the family is not Christian, leave the verse out and keep the sincere sentence.

How to write a verse in a sympathy card

1. Open with their name and a plain line, such as “I am so sorry.”
2. Write one short verse and put the reference on its own line underneath.
3. Add a memory of the person who died, or a specific offer of help, such as a meal or a school pickup.
4. Close simply: “With love” or “Praying for you.”

Write the verse once on scrap paper first so you know where the lines break. A second card or message a month or two later, when most people have gone back to normal life, often means a great deal to the family.

Practice on a printable page

The free Psalm 23 copywork page has the whole psalm in the BSB, with one line to trace and one to write. It comes in US Letter and A4.

Or write it in the app

Penned Grace lets you write scripture by hand, letter by letter, on iPhone, iPad or Android, with your finger or Apple Pencil. It is free to download.