When you are asked to officiate a funeral for a man who loved the outdoors—whether he was an avid fisherman, a hunter, a hiker, or just someone who preferred the woods to the city—a standard “churchy” sermon can sometimes feel out of place.
Men who love nature often find their connection to God not in a pew, but in a deer stand, on a quiet lake, or looking at a mountain range. As the Psalmist wrote, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.”
To honor him properly, you need a message that bridges the gap between Creation and the Creator. Below are two sermon outlines designed specifically for this purpose.
Option 1: The “Still Waters” Sermon (Fishing/Peace Theme)
Theme: Peace, Patience, and the River of Life.
Primary Scripture: Psalm 23 & Matthew 4:19.
Best For: A fisherman, a quiet man, or someone who loved the lake/river.
1. The Opening
“We are gathered to celebrate the life of [Name]. We all know that if [Name] had his choice of where to be on a Saturday morning, it wouldn’t be in a suit and tie. He would be out on the water, rod in hand, waiting for the fog to lift off the lake. He loved the outdoors because it was the one place where the noise of the world finally went silent.”
2. The Scripture
“There is a famous Psalm that I believe speaks the language [Name] understood best—Psalm 23:
‘The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.’“
3. The Message
“To be a fisherman, or a man of the outdoors, you have to possess a special kind of virtue: Patience.
[Name] knew how to wait. He knew that you can’t rush the river. You can’t force the fish to bite. You just have to be present, watch the signs, and trust.
In many ways, that is how he lived his life. He wasn’t a man of many unnecessary words. He was a man of presence. He understood that peace isn’t found in rushing around; it’s found beside the ‘still waters’ that God provides.
The Bible tells us that some of Jesus’ first disciples were fishermen. Jesus went down to the water’s edge to find his closest friends. I believe He found a friend in [Name], too.
Today, [Name] has left the shoreline of this life. He has pushed off into deeper waters. But he isn’t drifting; he is being guided. The Scripture says, ‘He leads me.’ The Great Shepherd—and the Great Fisherman—has guided him home.”
4. The Closing
“We will miss his stories. We will miss the quiet strength he brought to this family. But we take comfort knowing he is at peace, resting by the river of life that flows from the throne of God.
Let us pray:
Lord, we thank you for the beauty of Your creation that [Name] loved so much. Thank you for the peace he found in nature, and the peace he now enjoys with You. Comfort this family like a calm river after a storm. Amen.”
Option 2: The “Final Summit” Sermon (Hiking/Hunting/Mountain Theme)
Theme: The Journey, The Climb, and The View.
Primary Scripture: Psalm 121:1-2.
Best For: Hunters, hikers, campers, or men who loved the mountains.
1. The Opening
“Friends, we are here to honor [Name]. To know him was to know a man who didn’t like to sit still indoors. He was drawn to the wild. He felt most alive when he was breathing fresh air, climbing a trail, or sitting quietly in the woods waiting for the sunrise. He respected the wild, and he loved the Creator who made it.”
2. The Scripture
“The Bible speaks of nature often. In Psalm 121, the writer looks at the horizon and says:
‘I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.’“
3. The Message
“For [Name], the hills weren’t just scenery; they were a sanctuary.
He knew what it meant to climb. He knew that the path isn’t always easy. Sometimes the trail is rocky. Sometimes the weather turns against you. But he also knew that the view from the top is worth the struggle.
Life is a lot like a long hike. [Name] carried his pack. He shouldered his responsibilities as a father, a husband, and a friend. He navigated the rough terrain of life with grit and determination.
But every trail has an end.
We gather today because [Name] has reached the summit. He has climbed the final ridge. And I can only imagine the view he is seeing right now. He is no longer looking at creation; he is with the Creator. The beauty of the forests and mountains he loved here was just a small glimpse—a postcard—of the glory he is experiencing now.”
4. The Closing
“So, when you see a sunrise, or you feel the wind in the trees, remember him. Remember that he has finished his climb. He has reached the top. And he is home.
Let us pray:
Creator God, thank You for the life of [Name]. Thank You for the world You made and the joy he took in it. Help us to walk our own trails with the same strength he showed us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
3 Ways to Make This Tribute Special
- Use “Camouflage” Bibles: If the deceased was a hunter, it is perfectly appropriate to read from a Camo-covered Bible or place one on the casket/table. It honors his personality.
- The “Lure” Metaphor: If he was a fisherman, bring one of his favorite lures or his rod to the pulpit. Use it as an object lesson: “Just as this lure was designed to catch fish, [Name]‘s humor/kindness was designed to catch people’s hearts.”
- Hold the Service Outside: If weather permits, suggest to the family that the service (or at least the committal) be held outdoors, perhaps under a tree rather than under a tent. It fits the “Open Air” spirit of his life.