What Is the Significance of "Rest in Peace" and Is it Biblical?
The phrase "May they rest in peace" is often used upon the death of an individual. It serves as a comforting and encouraging expression for those grieving the loss of a loved one and is often engraved on gravestones as R.I.P. or “Rest in Peace.” When noted religious leaders die, their death evokes this benediction of “rest in peace” from millions around the world. Let's look more into what it really means to say, “Rest in peace and whether this phrase has biblical origins.”
Where Did the Phrase "Rest in Peace" Come From?
Rest in peace (R.I.P.) is a phrase that comes from the Ecclesiastical Latin, requiescat in pace. In its entirety, the phrase is rendered, “May he begin to rest in peace,” wishing the departed eternal rest. The blessing of hope for a restful peace in the afterlife agrees with Roman Catholic doctrine that souls may face torment in the afterlife.
Roman Catholics stress the destiny of peoples’ souls and what happens when they die. Immediately after death, Catholics believe in what’s called the particular judgment, where one is either judged worthy of eternal life or faces eternal separation from God in hell. If a believing Catholic has unsettled issues at death (venial sins), these sins accompany the deceased into what is called “purgatory,” traditionally called a place of waiting and cleansing. It is said, “if anyone has any leftover sin, this place purges them of it, before they reach the gates of heaven.” Hence, the phrase “Rest in Peace” offers hope that the purging is quick and not too painful before the dead person is ushered into heaven.
“Rest in Peace” has not lost its popularity, and is a common blessing within and outside of Catholicism. A different translation, “dormit in pace” was found inscribed in the early Christian catacombs in Rome. This translation evokes the greater meaning that the person died united with Christ and in the peace of His church. The belief was they would eternally sleep in peace. Anglicans and Lutherans join the Catholics in the prevalent use of “Rest in Peace” on gravestones.
Is "Rest in Peace" Found in the Bible?
The direct phrase, “Rest in peace” is not found in the Bible. What is found, however, is how believers find their hope in Christ and His promise of peace and rest for the saints (all believers in Him).
Isaiah 57:2 gives us a foretaste of the death of believers who are in Christ,
“He enters into peace;
They rest in their beds [graves],
Each one who walked in his upright way.”
Psalm 37:7 tells us of the peace that comes when we trust the Lord, “Be still in Yahweh and wait patiently [longingly] for Him; Do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, Because of the man who carries out schemes of wickedness.”
The thing is, Christians find their peace in Christ the moment they turn and surrender to Him in faith. He promises His peace in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.”
In John 14:1, Jesus tells us, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me.” Belief is trust, and trust brings peace.
One more passage about peace will help guard your heart, and many of us know this well. Philippians 4:7-8 assures us, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
The rest we enjoy in Christ is a fulfilled promise when we trust in Him as Savior and Lord. We have confidence in rest because of who Christ is. We have been saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), and it’s all through the Lord’s work that we are able to say yes to His kind invitation for peace and rest forever (Romans 2:4; Matthew 11:28).
What Does the Bible Say about What Happens after Death?
At death, all of humanity will spend eternity in one of two places, either in the loving presence of our holy, triune God as Redeemer or in His presence as Judge. Heaven awaits all true Christians, where abides rest, peace, and praise. But God is present in hell, too, by the constant reminder that a relationship with him has been severed. As Pastor Michael Horton says, “Hell is not ultimately about fire, but about God. Whatever the exact nature of the physical punishments, the real terror awaiting the unrepentant is God himself and his inescapable presence forever with his face turned against them.”
At death, our bodies will turn to dust (Genesis 2:7; 3:19) and will undergo corruption. But our souls are eternal and will instantaneously return to the Lord God. Our souls are instantly glorified and will be accepted into the presence of God in His abode, heaven. Our full redemption happens when our bodies are united once again with our souls when Christ returns in His second advent. His perfect body never saw corruption (Psalm 16:10; Acts 2:27,31), and as our perfect Redeemer, our glorified bodies will never again see corruption.
Scripture is clear about what happens after a Christian’s death.
- 2 Corinthians 5:7-8 tells us, “for we walk by faith, not by sight—we are of good courage and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” The Apostle Paul expected to be in the Lord Jesus’ presence when he died and proclaimed this truth to us who love Jesus.
- Philippians 1:23, “I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better.” Once again, the Apostle Paul concludes he will be with Christ at his death. No “waiting room” or further cleansing of sins, for once a person is saved by Christ, all his sins are forgiven (Acts 13:38; Colossians 2:13).
Scripture is also clear about the destiny of unbelievers—those who reject Christ as Savior and Lord.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:9-11 states, “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, 10 and he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His rage, and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
- Matthew 25:46, “And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”
- Revelation 14:9-11 (which mirrors the passage from Thessalonians) says, “Then another angel, a third one, followed them, saying with a loud voice, “If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives a mark on his forehead or on his hand, and he also will drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is mixed in full strength in the cup of His rage, and he will be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever; they have no rest day and night, those who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.”
How Believers Can Speak Biblically and Comfortingly about Death
Death has a unique way of turning people’s hearts to ponder eternity. Unbelievers who mourn a beloved relative or friend are seeking solace any way they can. They don’t understand death, and the platitudes that speak to grief, however loving, offer only a band-aid for a wound that will never heal unless a person turns to Christ.
Because of the background meaning of the phrase, it’s better for Christians to say something other than “Rest in Peace,” which is hollow because those outside of Christ have no idea what death holds. For a Christian to say “rest in peace” is a compromise that may provide temporary comfort to the bereaved, but has no biblical substance. And biblical substance—lovingly and compassionately shared—is what a grieving person needs.
If the deceased person is a known believer, a fellow Christian can say, “How wonderful to have the peace and rest of Christ before we even enter eternity. We know where “Joe” is, rejoicing in the presence of Jesus. One day we will all get to gather together and do the same.”
We can express our feelings of loss by saying, “I am so sorry you will miss “Joe” while you wait to be reunited with him in Jesus’ presence. I pray you will remember to rest in Christ and in His peace.”
You can also offer this: “We are here for you as the church. We’re family, and we love you and want to help you in any way we can. We know you will feel a huge hole in your life without “Joe’s” presence, and we will too. Please know you are loved by us, and, more importantly, by our Lord Jesus.”
Grieving loved ones need reassurance. You might say, “We know where “Joe” is right now. He’s with his Savior and is having all his tears wiped away. He’s rejoicing before the Lord and has absolutely no pain. “Joe” is right where the Lord means him to be, and one day you will be there, too. Isn’t that the best promise ever?”
Christians often call their funerals “homegoing celebrations” because that’s where the deceased are. We can truthfully say, “Hallelujah! Let’s celebrate the life the Lord gave 'Joe.' And let’s remember how he was such a strong witness for Christ and how he loved you.”
Loving things abound when we meet with those who “lose” their loved ones to death. Thank God it’s only temporary, and, at the first resurrection, a glorious reunion will reunite loved ones who love Jesus first and best.
But what can we say to those who are grieving the loss of an unsaved loved one? There’s no sadder place than at the funeral of an unsaved person. We know they will be in torment for eternity and here we stand in front of a desolate person. What do we say?
We can:
- Weep with them
- Be present and hug them
- Express your sympathy
- Remind them the eternal destiny of their loved one is unknown to us in certainty but known to God for sure.
- Tell them God is merciful
- Tell them you are available to talk anytime they are ready
- Ask them if you can pray for them. If so, thank God for their loved one’s life and for His mercy. Certainly, pray for them when you part and check in on them regularly, telling them you are praying.
- You will know when the time is right to fully share the gospel of Jesus Christ with them.
The good Lord gives us words when ours fail us, so trust Him to help you through the awkward and unsettling times when you are trying to console someone who has no faith in Christ. People are at their most vulnerable when they are grieving, and often it’s the most opportune time for the best news ever. As the Bible tells us, God’s Word never returns void (Isaiah 55:11).
Photo credit: ©iStock/Getty Images Plus/Randomerophotos
Originally published April 23, 2025.
