Readings for mourners prayers or funerals?

The following are some readings and prayers I have found useful at Funerals and mourning prayers, which form an important part of the Jewish mourning rituals

Everyone has a name Given them by God

And given them by their father and mother.

Each person has a name

Given them by their height and their way of smiling

And given them by their garment.

Each person has a name

Given them by the hills

And given them by their walls.

Each person has a name

Given them by the stars

And given them by their neighbours.

Each person has a name

Given them by their sins

And given by their longing.

Each person has a name

Given them by those who hate them

And given them by their love.

Each person has a name

Given them by their festivals

And given them by their work.

Each man has a name

Given them by the seasons of the year

And given them by their blindness.

Each person has a name

Given them by the sea

And given them

By their death

Based on a poem by Zelda



When we are dead, and people weep for us and grieve, let it be because we touched their lives with beauty and simplicity. Let it not be said that life was good to us, but, rather, that we were good to life. Jacop P. Rudin Midrash Tanhuma on Parashat Vayak’heyl reads “One finds three names by which a person is called: one that his father and his mother call him by, one that people call him by, and one that he acquires for himself. The best of all is that which he acquires for himself”. Naked a man comes into the world, and naked he leaves it; after all his toil, he carries away nothing – except the deeds he leaves behind. Adapted from Rashi One Day, Choni was walking on the road and he saw a certain man planting a carob tree. Choni said to him, “How many years does it take for this tree to bear fruit?” He replied “70 Years”. Choni said to him, “Is it clear to you that you will live 70 years?” He replied, “Just as my ancestors planted for me, so too, I plant for my children”.

Based on Talmud: Taanit 23a

Memorial service prayer: (for a man, translated from the Hebrew) We thank You for all that was gentle and noble in his life. Through his name inspire us with strength and light. Help us to use our grief itself for acts of service and of love. Everlasting God, help us to realise more and more that time and space are not the measure of all things. Though our eyes do not see, teach us to understand that the soul of our dear one is not cut off. Love does not die, and truth is stronger than the grave. Just as our affection and the memory of the good he did unite us with him at this time, so may our trust in You lift us to the vision of the life that knows no death. God of our strength, in our weakness help us, in our sorrow comfort us; in our confusion guide us. Without You our lives are nothing; with You there is fullness of life for evermore. If I should die and leave you here awhile Be not like others, sore undone, Who keep long vigils by the silent dust And weep. For my sake – turn to life And smile. Nerving thy heart and trembling hand To do something to comfort other hearts than thine. Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine And I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

Author Unknown

Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there.
I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the autumn rain.
When you awake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of birds circling in flight.
I am the stars than shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep.
I am not there. I do not sleep.

Author Unknown