Funeral Order of Service

Common mistakes to avoid when creating funeral order of service are:

Spelling and Grammar Mistakes
Typos and grammatical errors can detract from the professionalism of the order of service. Always proofread your text carefully.

Incorrect Information
Ensure all details, such as the date, time, and location, are accurate. Incorrect information can confuse attendees and cause unnecessary stress.

Hard-to-Read Fonts
Using overly decorative or small fonts can make the text difficult to read. Opt for clear, legible fonts to ensure everyone can follow along easily.

Too Much Information
Overloading the order of service with excessive text can overwhelm attendees. Keep it concise and focused on the essential elements.

Constricted Layout
A cluttered or congested design can make it hard to navigate. Aim for a clean, organized layout that guides attendees through the service smoothly.

Some unique funeral order of service ideas include:

• Incorporating a theme that showcases the deceased’s passions or hobbies, such as music, nature, or other personal interests.
• Including a life timeline that highlights key milestones or significant moments.
• Featuring cherished recipes if the person was known for their cooking talents.
• Creating a “memory page” where attendees can share written tributes, memories, or personal messages.

Yes, of course, our team will help you with a professional funeral booklet design and printing service, creating beautifully laid-out memorial booklets that are ready to print and share with family and friends.

You don’t need to worry about formatting, spacing, or page layout. Simply send us the wording, hymns, readings, photos, or any special requests, and we’ll carefully design the booklet for you.

Every design is created and checked by our team and not handled by AI. If we have any questions or suggestions, we’ll contact you personally to make sure everything feels exactly right.

Start by collecting key details of funeral order of service:

The name of the person who has passed away, the date and time of the service, the location, and the sequence of events. It’s beneficial to create an outline of the main elements, including readings, music selections, and speakers.

After you have all the content ready for order of service funeral either you can use our templates or use our free “design it for me” service.

If you need help with the content, please follow our guide.

Our pricing starts from just £38.53 for 10 booklets. The final cost depends on the printing choices like number of pages, quantity, paper weight, production time, and optional lamination.

Our design service is completely free – including unlimited revisions. No hidden fees, no template charges.

All prices are shown upfront in our online pricing table, and every order includes professional creasing and folding, so your funeral booklets arrive ready to use.

The purpose of a funeral ceremony is to honour a loved one’s life, offer comfort, and provide a sense of closure.

The order of service is laid out in detail below, guiding attendees through the key moments of the service. This format follows eulogies, hymns, readings, and other important elements that are typically included in funeral ceremonies.

Typical Funeral Order of Service Layout

1. Introduction and Words of Welcome

The service begins with a warm greeting and a brief introduction by the person conducting it. This helps to set the tone and provides comfort to the family and attendees.

Example of Opening Words:

"We gather here today to honor and remember the life of [Name], a person who touched many lives and whose memory will live on in our hearts."

2. Order of Service

This section details the funeral service’s schedule so that guests know what to expect. It consists of the following elements:

Opening Remarks

A few welcoming words to set a tone, express condolences and introduce the purpose of the service.

Readings and Hymns

A series of readings and hymns that hold special meaning, either religious or personal, to the deceased or their family

Eulogies and Tributes

Tributes given by family members or close friends, celebrating the life and memory of the deceased

Prayers

Any prayers offered during the service, including any religious or spiritual texts that hold significance to the family or the deceased.

Committal

A brief ceremony that marks the final act of the funeral, often occurring at the graveside or crematorium.

3. Hymns and Music

Music plays a pivotal role in a funeral service, offering solace and reflection. This section outlines the hymns and songs or pieces of music that will be performed.

Hymns: the title or full lyrics of hymns that will be sung during the service.

Music: Any instrumental pieces, special songs or arrangements that hold meaning.

Examples:

• “Amazing Grace”
• “Ave Maria”
• “Wind Beneath My Wings”

4. Readings and Prayers

This section includes any readings, passages, or poems that will be read aloud during the service. These might be religious texts, inspirational quotes, or personal selections that reflect the life and spirit of the deceased.

Example reading

Psalm 23: “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want”

Sample Prayer:

“Dear God, we thank you for the life of [Name], for the love they gave and the memories we will cherish forever.”

5. Eulogies and Tributes

Eulogies are heartfelt speeches or tributes delivered by family members or close friends recalling the life, achievements, and personal stories of the deceased.

• Who will deliver the eulogies: It is important to mention the names of those who will speak during the service, such as children, spouse or best friend.
• Personal tributes: Sometimes, individuals will also offer short tributes or share personal stories in addition to formal eulogies

6. Committal Ceremony

The committal is the final act of service, symbolizing the deceased’s return to the earth or transition to the afterlife.

• Graveside Service: If the service is held at a burial site, attendees gather at the graveside, where the body or urn is lowered.
• Crematorium service: if cremation is chosen, a similar ritual takes place at the crematorium
• Words of committal: The celebrant or officiant might say, “we now commit [Name]’s body/ ashes to the earth. May they rest in peace.”

7. Acknowledgement and Donations

This section allows the family to express their gratitude for the support they have received, as well as provide information about charitable donations.

• Acknowledgements: A simple thank you for the presence and support of family and friends during this difficult period.
• Charitable Donations: If the family requests donations in lieu of flowers, this section provides all the required details.

Example:

"In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to [Charity Name] in [Name]'s memory."

8. Personal Touches

An opportunity to include personal touches that capture the deceased’s unique personality and life. This can include:

• Photos: A slideshow or display of pictures highlighting significant moments in the deceased’s life.
• Personal Messages: Letters or personal reflections written by family members or close friends.
• Special mementos: Objects, keepsakes, or artifacts that serve as reminders of the deceased’s life and legacy.

9. Closing Remarks and Farewell

The service concludes with closing comments from the celebrant or officiant, offering a respectful and meaningful closure to the event.

Sample Closing Words:

"As we leave this place today, let us keep the memory of [Name] in our hearts and celebrate their life in everything we do. May they rest peacefully."

10. Additional Details

This section could be included in the order of service to ensure that all practical information is communicated to attendees:

• Dates: The deceased’s birth and death dates.
• Location and Time: The location of the service, including the date and time.
• Wake or Reception: If there is a wake or reception following the service, the location, time, and any particular instructions should be provided.

Example:

"The family invites you to join them for a reception at [Location] immediately following the service."

The order of service serves as a comforting guide for the ceremony and gives structure for all who attend. By adding meaningful rituals and personal touches, the funeral ceremony can serve as a final farewell and a celebration of life to your loved one.

Yes, it’s perfectly fine to have a non-religious or secular funeral order of service. These types of services place more emphasis on honouring and celebrating the life of the deceased without adhering to religious customs. Instead of traditional prayers and hymns, secular services often feature personal stories, favourite songs, or meaningful poems, creating a more personalized and reflective tribute.

Writing the wording for a funeral order of service may feel difficult, but it’s a meaningful way to honour your loved one. Finding the right balance between respectful tone and personal touches helps to capture their unique life and create a tribute that family and friends will feel connected to.

The funeral order of service wording includes these essential elements:

• Welcome Message: A brief introduction welcoming attendees to the service.
• Order of Events: A list of key segments, such as opening remarks, readings, eulogy, music, and closing.
• Eulogy Section: A dedicated space for a tribute to the deceased.
• Readings and Prayers: Selected passages or prayers meaningful to the family or reflective of the deceased’s beliefs.
• Committal or Farewell Message: A closing message or farewell for the deceased.

The back of the order of service is usually where people choose to place personal touches, thank-you notes for guests, and additional information. For example, a personal message from the deceased’s family, a favourite quote or poem, or a list of those who made contributions to the service, among other things, could be included. Additionally, this is an ideal spot to acknowledge any funeral donations or charities supported in memory of the deceased.

It is also a good place to include any special instructions or notes for attendees, such as the location of a reception, the attire for the service, or details about how to contribute to a chosen charity.

Ultimately, the contents of the back of an order of service are up to the individual or family planning the funeral and should reflect the life and personality of the deceased.

The front cover of a funeral order of service should be clean, simple, and respectful, with a design that reflects the dignity of the occasion and the personality of the deceased. It usually contains of 4 main elements: the full name of your loved one who has passed away, along with their birth and passing away dates, a photograph reflecting their personality or a significant moment in their life and the details of the funeral service, including the date, time, and location of the ceremony.

Additional elements include a brief tribute or opening statement to honour the deceased and set the tone for the service. Religious or cultural symbols, prayers, or quotes may also be included, depending on the nature of the service and the wishes of the family.

Example photo for the front cover of order of service for funeral:

The inside pages of a funeral order of service booklet typically include key details about the funeral or memorial ceremony and the sequence of events. These pages can be fully customized to reflect the personal nature of the service and the life of the deceased. Here’s a breakdown of common elements typically found in the inside pages:

• The welcome or opening remarks by the officiant or celebrant.
• The hymns, prayers, and readings that will be performed.
• The eulogies or tributes delivered by family members, friends, or religious leaders.
• The music or any other ceremonial rituals.
• The closing remarks and farewell before the service concludes.

These elements work together to guide attendees through the flow of the funeral service while paying tribute to the life of the departed. The booklet’s structure and layout is flexible, allowing to customize fonts, background colour, photos, illustrations and the number of pages according to the length and style of the service.