What Is a Funeral Program?
A funeral program (also called a memorial booklet, order of service, or celebration of life program) is a printed document distributed at memorial services. It serves as both a guide for
attendees and a keepsake that honors the deceased.
A well-designed program helps guests follow the service, provides information about the deceased, and creates a lasting memento for family and friends.
Essential Elements of a Funeral Program
Every funeral program should include these key components:
Front Cover
Required:
- Full name of the deceased
- Birth and death dates
- A photograph (optional but recommended)
- Service date and location
Optional:
- A meaningful quote or scripture
- "In Loving Memory" or similar heading
- Decorative border or design
Order of Service
This section lists what will happen during the service, helping guests follow along.
Typical order includes:
- Prelude/Opening Music
- Welcome and Opening Prayer
- Scripture Readings or Poems
- Eulogy/Remembrances
- Special Music
- Closing Remarks
- Benediction/Closing Prayer
- Postlude
Obituary or Biography
Include a brief life story of the deceased:
- Birth information (date, place, parents)
- Education and career
- Marriage and family
- Achievements and interests
- Community involvement
- Surviving family members
- Predeceased family members
Personal Tributes
Photos:
- Baby photo
- Wedding photo
- Family portraits
- Candid moments
- Photos showing hobbies or interests
Poems and Readings:
- Favorite scripture passages
- Meaningful poems
- Song lyrics
- Personal quotes or sayings
Back Cover
Common elements:
- Thank you message from the family
- Information about donations or memorials
- Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers
- Officiant information
- Additional photos
Funeral Program Templates
Here are three template structures you can adapt:
Traditional Funeral Program Template
Front Cover:In Loving Memory of
[Full Name]
[Birth Date] – [Death Date]
[Photo]
Service of Remembrance
[Date] at [Time]
[Location Name and Address]
Inside:Order of Service
Prelude – [Song Title]
Welcome – [Officiant Name]
Scripture Reading – [Reference] – Read by [Name]
Hymn – [Title]
Eulogy – [Speaker Name]
Remembrances – Family and Friends
Solo – [Song Title] – [Performer]
Closing Prayer – [Officiant Name]
Postlude – [Song Title]
Back Cover:The family of [Name] wishes to express
their sincere appreciation for your
presence and prayers.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations
may be made to [Charity Name].
Officiant: [Name]
Pallbearers: [Names]
Celebration of Life Program Template
Front Cover:Celebrating the Life of
[Full Name]
[Birth Date] – [Death Date]
[Photo with a smile]
A Life Well Lived
[Date] at [Time]
[Location]
Inside:Welcome, Family and Friends
[Name]'s Journey
[Brief biography paragraph]
Sharing Memories
Open invitation for guests to speak
Photo Tribute
[Slideshow or photo display]
[Name]'s Favorites
Song: [Title]
Quote: [Quote]
Place: [Location]
Reception to follow at [Location]
Simple Memorial Card Template
For a more minimalist approach:
In Loving Memory
[Full Name]
[Dates]
[Small photo]
"[Favorite quote or scripture]"
Service: [Date] at [Time]
[Location]
Design Tips for Funeral Programs
Choosing Photos
Best practices:
- Select a recent, clear photo for the cover
- Choose photos where the person is smiling
- Avoid group photos (individual portraits work best)
- Ensure photos are high resolution for printing
- Include a mix of formal and candid shots
Selecting Colors and Fonts
Color guidelines:
- Traditional: Navy, burgundy, forest green, cream
- Modern: Soft pastels, gentle earth tones
- Avoid bright, flashy colors
Font recommendations:
- Headings: Serif fonts (Times New Roman, Georgia, Garamond)
- Body: Easy-to-read fonts (Arial, Calibri, Open Sans)
- Limit to 2-3 font styles maximum
Layout Best Practices
- Leave adequate white space
- Align text consistently
- Use a readable font size (minimum 10pt for body text)
- Number pages if multiple sheets
- Proofread carefully—twice!
How to Create a Funeral Program
Step 1: Gather Information
Collect all necessary details:
- Full legal name and any nicknames
- Accurate birth and death dates
- Complete obituary text
- Service details and participants
- Photos (digital files preferred)
- Favorite quotes, scriptures, or poems
Step 2: Choose a Format
Decide on:
- Single-fold (4 pages)
- Tri-fold (6 panels)
- Single card (2 sides)
- Multi-page booklet
Step 3: Select a Design Tool
Free options:
- Canva (many funeral program templates)
- Microsoft Word
- Google Docs
- Our AI Obituary Generator
Professional options:
- Adobe InDesign
- Funeral home design services
- Professional printing companies
Step 4: Create and Review
- Input all gathered information
- Add and position photos
- Review for accuracy
- Have family members proofread
- Print a test copy
Step 5: Print
DIY printing:
- Use quality paper (cardstock recommended)
- Print extras (10-15% more than expected attendance)
- Test print before final run
Professional printing:
- Local print shops
- Online services (Vistaprint, Zazzle)
- Funeral home services
Common Funeral Program Mistakes to Avoid
1. Typos and errorsDouble-check all names, dates, and service times. Have multiple people review.
2. Too much textLess is more. Focus on meaningful content rather than including everything.
3. Low-quality photosBlurry or pixelated photos detract from the program's quality.
4. Waiting until the last minuteGive yourself time to review and make corrections.
5. Not printing enoughAlways print extras for family members who want additional copies.
Digital Alternatives
Consider these digital options alongside or instead of printed programs:
QR codes on printed programs:Link to an online memorial page with additional photos and videos.
Digital slideshow:Display the program content on screens at the venue.
Memorial website:Create a permanent online tribute that guests can revisit.
Create a Beautiful Funeral Program Today
Our AI-powered tools can help you create a professional, personalized funeral program in minutes. Simply enter your loved one's information, and we'll generate a beautiful program you can
customize and print.
Whether you choose a traditional design or something more modern, the most important thing is that the program honors your loved one's memory and provides comfort to those who receive it.