Bahá'í Funeral Readings, Songs, and Scripture — Choosing What to Include in the Service

One Prayer Is Required — Everything Else Is Yours to Design

For a deceased believer aged 15 or older, the only mandatory liturgical element of a Bahá'í funeral is the congregational Prayer for the Dead, revealed by Bahá'u'lláh. Beyond that single prayer, families have complete freedom to design the rest of the service. No hymnal to follow, no prescribed order of worship, no clergy directing the program.

That freedom is a gift, but it can also feel paralyzing when you're grieving and trying to build a meaningful service from scratch. Here's a practical framework for choosing what to include.

The Prayer for the Dead: Gender-Specific Text

The Prayer for the Dead opens with a supplication that adjusts its language based on the gender of the deceased:

For a man: "This is Thy servant and the son of Thy servant…"

For a woman: "This is Thy handmaiden and the daughter of Thy handmaiden…"

After the opening supplication, the reciter says "Alláh-u-Abhá" once, then repeats the first of six verses exactly 19 times. This pattern repeats for all six verses. The six verses are:

1. "We all, verily, worship God."
2. "We all, verily, bow down before God."
3. "We all, verily, are devoted unto God."
4. "We all, verily, give praise unto God."
5. "We all, verily, yield thanks unto God."
6. "We all, verily, are patient in God."

One person recites the entire prayer aloud. Everyone else who is physically able stands in silence — no group chanting, no responsorial participation. The reciter may use prayer beads or a counter to keep the 19-repetition count accurate.

Choosing Additional Prayers and Readings

After the Prayer for the Dead (which can happen at any point before burial — at the chapel, at the home, or at the graveside), the rest of the service can include any combination of sacred texts.

Prayers for the departed. Bahá'u'lláh, the Báb, and 'Abdu'l-Bahá all revealed prayers specifically focused on the journey of the soul after death. These prayers ask God to grant the departed forgiveness, spiritual progress, and nearness to the divine presence. The Bahá'í Reference Library (bahai.org) and prayer compilations like bahaiprayers.org collect these under "Death and the Life Beyond" or "For the Departed."

Prayers for comfort. Readings that address the grief of the living — prayers for patience, trust, and healing — often mean as much to the gathered family as prayers for the soul of the deceased.

Passages on the nature of the soul. Some of the most powerful texts to read at a funeral come from Bahá'u'lláh's writings on the soul's journey — the metaphor of death as a birth into a wider world, the comparison of the womb to earthly life, the soul's continued progress through God's mercy. These passages reframe grief with a perspective that many attendees, including non-Bahá'ís, find genuinely comforting.

Eulogies and personal reflections. A family member or close friend sharing memories of the deceased is entirely appropriate. Keep it genuine and focused on the person's life and character. There is no prohibition on humor, stories, or personal anecdotes — Bahá'í funerals are not required to be solemn throughout.

Music in a Bahá'í Funeral

Music is highly welcomed and can be one of the most emotionally meaningful parts of the service. Vocal, instrumental, or recorded music is all acceptable.

The one restriction: No music or singing during the recitation of the congregational Prayer for the Dead. That prayer must be spoken in silence. Music can play before the Prayer, after it, or at any other point in the service.

What kind of music? There are no rules about genre, instrumentation, or style. Some families choose classical pieces. Others play recordings of Bahá'í songs or chants. Some invite a friend to perform a piece that was meaningful to the deceased. The only guideline is that the music should foster a reflective, peaceful atmosphere — a funeral isn't the setting for something intentionally jarring or raucous.

Live versus recorded. Both work. A live musician adds personal warmth; a carefully selected recording ensures consistency. Many families combine the two — a live musical piece followed by a recorded piece the deceased loved.

Structuring the Service

There is no official order of service for a Bahá'í funeral, but most follow a natural flow:

1. Opening. Welcome guests, briefly explain the format (especially helpful for non-Bahá'í attendees who may not know what to expect). A short prayer or reading sets the tone.

2. Readings and prayers for the departed. Two to four selections, read by family members, friends, or community volunteers. Alternate between prayers and personal reflections to create rhythm.

3. Music. A piece or two between readings, providing space for quiet reflection.

4. Eulogy or personal tribute. One or two speakers sharing memories. Keep each to five minutes or less — brevity honors both the audience's attention and the service's overall pace.

5. The Prayer for the Dead. The reciter stands, and everyone who is physically able rises. The prayer is spoken in silence. This is often placed near the end of the service, but it can occur at any point before burial.

6. Closing. A final prayer or reading, followed by instructions for the graveside procession if burial follows immediately.

Total service length typically runs 30 to 60 minutes. There is no minimum or maximum, but Bahá'í funerals lean toward simplicity rather than elaborate length.

For Non-Bahá'í Guests

If you're attending a Bahá'í funeral for the first time, the main thing to know is the Prayer for the Dead. When it begins, stand up if you are physically able and remain completely silent until it's finished. You don't need to recite anything, face a specific direction, or make any gesture. Just stand quietly.

Everything else in the service will feel familiar — readings, music, personal tributes. There is no communion, no ritual meal, and no expectation that guests participate in any doctrinal affirmation.

Our Bahá'í Funeral Guide includes a service planning worksheet with suggested prayer selections, a printable program template, and a guest etiquette card you can share with non-Bahá'í attendees before the service.