120+ Bible Verses for Headstones: Scriptures for a Loved One’s Grave

Choosing a Bible verse for a headstone is an important decision. The words will be there for years, read by family on birthdays and by strangers walking past. It’s no wonder it can feel like a lot to get right.

Thankfully scripture has been carved on graves for centuries. Which means there’s a lot of tried and trusted wording to look to.

Some verses are only three or four words. Others are a full line that says everything about the person’s faith.

So we have over 120 Bible verses for headstones sorted so you can find the right one quickly: short verses, Psalms, verses about heaven and rest and verses for a mother, father, husband, wife, child or grandparent. There are also some full layout examples and a few tips at the end.

If you’re looking for readings for the service itself our Bible verses for a funeral might help too.

Short Bible Verses for Headstones

Short verses are the easiest to fit and the easiest to read. They work well on flat markers, on the base of an upright stone or under a name on a smaller headstone.

• “Thy will be done.” Matthew 6:10
• “God is love.” 1 John 4:8
• “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10
• “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
• “Well done, thou good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:21
• “He giveth his beloved sleep.” Psalm 127:2
• “Rest in the LORD.” Psalm 37:7
• “Peace, be still.” Mark 4:39
• “It is finished.” John 19:30
• “My times are in thy hand.” Psalm 31:15
• “We walk by faith, not by sight.” 2 Corinthians 5:7
• “Let not your heart be troubled.” John 14:1
• “For I know that my redeemer liveth.” Job 19:25
• “Charity never faileth.” 1 Corinthians 13:8
• “The memory of the just is blessed.” Proverbs 10:7
• “He shall enter into peace.” Isaiah 57:2
• “And Enoch walked with God.” Genesis 5:24
• “She hath done what she could.” Mark 14:8
• “I will see you again.” John 16:22
• “Thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1
• “Underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27
• “Great is thy faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:23

“He walked with God” (or “She walked with God”) is an old favorite on headstones. It’s taken from the line about Enoch in Genesis and sums up a life of faith in four words.

SEE MORE: Short Tombstone Quotes for a Headstone

Psalms for Headstones

The Psalms are probably the most popular part of the Bible for gravestones. Psalm 23 alone shows up in almost every cemetery and for good reason.

• “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me.” Psalm 23:4
• “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul.” Psalm 23:2-3
• “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” Psalm 23:6
• “I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep: for thou, LORD, only makest me dwell in safety.” Psalm 4:8
• “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” Psalm 30:5
• “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15
• “He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust.” Psalm 91:4
• “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psalm 91:1
• “I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help.” Psalm 121:1
• “The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.” Psalm 121:8
• “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” Psalm 27:1
• “Into thine hand I commit my spirit.” Psalm 31:5
• “I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalm 17:15
• “Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.” Psalm 37:37
• “God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever.” Psalm 73:26
• “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart.” Psalm 34:18
• “He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3
• “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12
• “Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul.” Psalm 25:1

Psalm 30:5 is a good choice if you want the stone to have some hope as well as sadness. I’ve always thought it’s one of the nicest lines for the people who visit.

Bible Verses About Heaven and Eternal Life

These verses speak of what comes next. Many families choose one of these because it’s how they want to picture their loved one now.

• “In my Father’s house are many mansions.” John 14:2
• “I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2
• “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25
• “Because I live, ye shall live also.” John 14:19
• “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
• “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
• “And so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17
• “Absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8
• “We have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” 2 Corinthians 5:1
• “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21
• “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55
• “For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
• “Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
• “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying.” Revelation 21:4
• “And there shall be no night there.” Revelation 22:5
• “Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
• “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord.” Revelation 14:13
• “Whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8
• “The things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
• “Thy sun shall no more go down… for the LORD shall be thine everlasting light.” Isaiah 60:20

Bible Verses About Rest and Peace

If the person was tired at the end or simply lived a long and full life a verse about rest can feel just right.

• “Come unto me… and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
• “There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.” Hebrews 4:9
• “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” John 14:27
• “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee.” Isaiah 26:3
• “Them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.” 1 Thessalonians 4:14
• “Until the day break, and the shadows flee away.” Song of Solomon 2:17
• “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27
• “Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.” Ecclesiastes 12:7
• “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1
• “A time to be born, and a time to die.” Ecclesiastes 3:2
• “He hath made every thing beautiful in his time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11
• “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” Numbers 6:24-26

“Until the day break, and the shadows flee away” is one you’ll see on a lot of older stones. It’s lovely on a shared grave, where it reads like a promise to meet again in the morning.

Bible Verses for a Mother’s Headstone

Proverbs 31 is the classic place to look for a mom as it describes a woman of strength and kindness. A few other verses fit well too.

• “Her children arise up, and call her blessed.” Proverbs 31:28
• “Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.” Proverbs 31:29
• “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.” Proverbs 31:26
• “A woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.” Proverbs 31:30
• “She hath done what she could.” Mark 14:8
• “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3
• “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3
• “As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you.” Isaiah 66:13

Bible Verses for a Father’s Headstone

For a dad many families pick a verse about faithfulness, integrity or a life well lived.

• “The just man walketh in his integrity: his children are blessed after him.” Proverbs 20:7
• “Well done, thou good and faithful servant… enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21
• “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
• “As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
• “Be strong and of a good courage.” Joshua 1:9
• “The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD.” Psalm 37:23
• “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good… to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God.” Micah 6:8
• “Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD.” Jeremiah 17:7

Bible Verses for a Husband, Wife or Couple

These work well on a spouse’s stone or on a shared companion headstone. Some couples choose a verse together while they’re both living, which takes one decision off the family later.

• “Whither thou goest, I will go.” Ruth 1:16
• “Where thou diest, will I die, and there will I be buried.” Ruth 1:17
• “Lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided.” 2 Samuel 1:23
• “I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine.” Song of Solomon 6:3
• “Set me as a seal upon thine heart… for love is strong as death.” Song of Solomon 8:6
• “Many waters cannot quench love.” Song of Solomon 8:7
• “I found him whom my soul loveth.” Song of Solomon 3:4
• “What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.” Matthew 19:6
• “Two are better than one.” Ecclesiastes 4:9
• “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.” 1 Corinthians 13:13
• “Neither death, nor life… shall be able to separate us from the love of God.” Romans 8:38-39

The 2 Samuel line was originally about Saul and Jonathan but it’s been used on couples’ graves for a very long time. It works especially well when one spouse died soon after the other.

Bible Verses for a Child or Baby’s Headstone

There are no right words for a child’s grave. These verses are ones many parents have found some comfort in, from the hope of heaven to the simple fact that their child was known and wanted.

• “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14
• “He shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom.” Isaiah 40:11
• “For this child I prayed.” 1 Samuel 1:27
• “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee.” Jeremiah 1:5
• “I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” Psalm 139:14
• “I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” Isaiah 43:1
• “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” 2 Samuel 12:23
• “Is it well with the child?… It is well.” 2 Kings 4:26
• “Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love.” Jeremiah 31:3

2 Samuel 12:23 comes from King David after the death of his infant son. It can be hard to read at first but many parents hold onto the hope in it: that they will go to their child one day.

If you’re supporting a family through this our words of sympathy for the loss of a child may help.

Bible Verses for a Grandparent’s Headstone

For a grandma or grandpa, verses about a long life, gray hair and the faith passed down through the family often feel fitting.

• “Children’s children are the crown of old men.” Proverbs 17:6
• “The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness.” Proverbs 16:31
• “They shall still bring forth fruit in old age.” Psalm 92:14
• “The mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children.” Psalm 103:17
• “The unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice.” 2 Timothy 1:5
• “An old man, and full of years.” Genesis 25:8

Bible Verses for Someone Who Died Young or Suddenly

When a death comes too early or without warning the stone can reflect that shock as well as the faith that holds the family up.

• “Her sun is gone down while it was yet day.” Jeremiah 15:9
• “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye.” 1 Corinthians 15:52
• “My times are in thy hand.” Psalm 31:15
• “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21
• “What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter.” John 13:7
• “That ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.” 1 Thessalonians 4:13
• “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.” Matthew 28:20

The Jeremiah line uses “her”, but many families change it to “his sun is gone down” for a man. That’s a common choice on stones and not something to worry about.

Bible Verses for Someone After a Long Illness

If they were sick for a long time a verse that speaks of strength, an end to pain or a race finished can say a lot.

• “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7
• “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9
• “Neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4
• “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18
• “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” Hebrews 12:1
• “They shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31
• “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13
• “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit.” Luke 23:46

Bible Verses That Reflect How They Lived

Sometimes the right verse is the one that matches what they loved or how they spent their days. A verse like this can make visitors smile and think, “Yes, that was them.”

For a Musician or Someone Who Loved to Sing

• “O sing unto the LORD a new song.” Psalm 96:1
• “Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.” Psalm 150:6
• “I will sing unto the LORD as long as I live.” Psalm 104:33

For a Gardener or Farmer

• “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest… shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22
• “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness.” Psalm 65:11
• “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures.” Psalm 23:2

For Someone Who Loved the Sea or Fishing

• “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19
• “These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.” Psalm 107:24
• “Peace, be still.” Mark 4:39

For a Teacher

• “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
• “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

For a Nurse, Caregiver or Someone Who Served Others

• “Bear ye one another’s burdens.” Galatians 6:2
• “Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.” Matthew 25:40
• “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Matthew 5:7

For a Veteran, Police Officer or Firefighter

• “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13
• “Here am I; send me.” Isaiah 6:8
• “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Matthew 5:9

For a Loyal Friend

• “A friend loveth at all times.” Proverbs 17:17
• “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
• “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” Philippians 1:3

Christian Headstone Sayings That Aren’t Direct Quotes

Not every family wants a full verse. These are common Christian phrases you’ll see on stones plus a few simple lines in the same spirit. They aren’t scripture so there’s no reference to add underneath.

• Safe in the arms of Jesus
• Asleep in Jesus
• Forever with the Lord
• With God
• Gone home
• Called home
• Home with the Lord
• At home in heaven
• Resting in God’s love
• In God’s care
• Until we meet again in heaven
• Walking with Jesus
• Faith, hope and love
• Held by grace
• He walked with God
• She walked with God
• Absent from the body, present with the Lord
• Our loss is heaven’s gain

For lots more epitaph ideas, religious and not, see our quotes for headstone epitaphs and epitaph examples.

Examples of a Headstone Layout With a Bible Verse

It helps to see how a verse sits with the rest of the stone. Most follow the same pattern of name, relationship line, dates and then the verse, with the reference in smaller letters underneath.

[Full Name]
Beloved mother and grandmother
[Date of birth] – [Date of death]
“Her children arise up, and call her blessed”
Proverbs 31:28

******************

[Full Name]
[Year] – [Year]
“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”
2 Timothy 4:7

******************

[Husband’s Full Name]
[Year] – [Year]
[Wife’s Full Name]
[Year] – [Year]
“Whither thou goest, I will go”
Ruth 1:16

******************

[Full Name]
Our precious son
[Date of birth] – [Date of death]
“He shall gather the lambs with his arm”
Isaiah 40:11

******************

[Full Name]
Loving husband, father and friend
[Year] – [Year]
He walked with God

Tips for Choosing a Bible Verse for a Headstone

A few things can make this easier and help you avoid mistakes that are hard to fix once they’re cut in stone.

• Pick a translation and stick to it. The verses on this page are from the King James Version, which is the traditional choice for gravestones. If your loved one read a different Bible, use that wording instead. For example, the NIV says “Love never fails” where the KJV says “Charity never faileth”
• Copy the wording from a Bible, not from memory. Small errors are easy to make. Check the exact words and punctuation in the translation you’ve chosen before you send anything to the monument maker.
• Decide how to write the reference. You can spell it out (Psalm 23:4) or abbreviate it (Ps. 23:4). Some families leave the reference off entirely and just use the words.
• Shorten if you need to. It’s fine to use part of a verse. Many of the lines above are only the first half of a longer verse. Just make sure the part you choose still makes sense on its own.
• Think about space and cost. Flat markers fit far fewer letters than upright stones and monument makers often charge by the letter or the line. A short verse can save room for a name or a symbol.
• Check the cemetery rules. Some cemeteries have rules about stone size, wording or symbols. Ask the cemetery office before you finalize anything.
• Consider a symbol with it. A cross, praying hands, a dove or an open Bible can sit nicely beside a verse and say a lot without extra words.
• Ask about their favorite verse. If they had a verse they always quoted, underlined or kept on the fridge, that one will mean more than anything on a list. Their pastor or church friends may know it too.
• Read the proof carefully. Ask for a drawn proof and check every letter, name, date and verse number with someone you trust.

If you’re also choosing words for a prayer card our prayer card wording examples include some verses that go well with what goes on the stone.

Whatever verse you choose it will be a small piece of their faith left where others can see it. That’s a lovely thing to give them.

And if you’re still looking for more scripture our collection of comforting Bible verses is a good place to keep reading, for the stone or just for yourself.