A funeral order of service, sometimes referred to as a funeral booklet or funeral program, is a printed sheet, leaflet or booklet that details the sequence and elements of a funeral ceremony. It serves as a guide for attendees, allowing them to follow the proceedings and actively engage in the service.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you use our design tool for editing or making your own design for a funeral order of service:
What Should You Include in a Funeral Order of Service?
Every order of service is unique, but most follow a similar structure. Here’s what families typically include:
Essential Elements (Front Cover)
- Full name of your loved one – including their names or nicknames
- Dates of birth and death – formatted as “15th March 1952 – 3rd January 2026”
- A meaningful photograph – choose one that captures their spirit and personality
- Optional quote or phrase – perhaps their favourite saying or a line from a meaningful poem
Inside Pages: The Service Structure
- Sequence of Events: A clear and organized outline of the service, listing the order of readings, hymns, prayers, eulogies, and any special tributes or ceremonies.
- Personal Tributes: Heartfelt messages, memories, or stories from family and friends to honour and celebrate the life of the deceased.
- Music: A selection of hymns, songs, or instrumental pieces that will be performed during the service, often with lyrics included, so attendees can participate.
- Readings: Bible verses, poems, or other meaningful texts that will be read aloud during the service to offer comfort and reflection.
- Eulogies: Tributes or speeches delivered by family members, friends, or others close to the deceased, sharing memories and celebrating their life.
- Prayers: Specific prayers, whether group prayers or individual ones, that will be recited during the service, often bringing solace and unity to those attending.
- Committal Service Details: If a separate committal service is planned at the graveside or crematorium, include information on where and when this will take place.
Helpful Tip: Print full lyrics for hymns and songs. Many attendees won’t know all the words, and having them printed removes any awkwardness and helps everyone participate meaningfully.
Back Page: Practical Information
- Thank you message – expressing gratitude to attendees
- Donation information – if you’re collecting for a charity instead of flowers
- Wake details – location, time, and any relevant information
- Family contact – optional, for those who wish to reach out later
Choosing the Right Funeral Order Of Service Template Design
The design should reflect your loved one’s personality and the tone of the service. Here are the most popular styles:
Classic Traditional
Timeless elegance with formal typography, religious symbols, and neutral tones. Features serif fonts and traditional borders.
Best for: Traditional church services, religious ceremonies, older generations
Contemporary Modern
Clean lines, bold typography, and vibrant colours or gradients. Features minimalist design with maximum visual impact.
Best for: Celebration of life services, younger individuals, non-religious ceremonies
Floral & Natural
Soft watercolour flowers, botanical illustrations, and gentle pastel tones. Creates a warm, comforting aesthetic.
Best for: Garden lovers, spring/summer services, nature enthusiasts
Simple Minimalist
Understated elegance with plenty of white space, simple fonts, and subtle details. Focuses on content over decoration.
Best for: Those who preferred simplicity, contemporary services, professional individuals
Choosing Paper Size and Page Count
The size you choose affects both the reading experience and funeral order of service printing costs. Here are some of the options:
A5 (148 × 210mm): Most Popular
Perfect size and easy to hold during service.
A4 (210 × 297mm): Premium Feel
Ideal for extensive content or large photos.
How Many Pages Do You Need?
| Page Count | Best For | Typical Content |
|---|---|---|
| 4 Pages | Simple, short services | Cover + order of service + one reading + thank you |
| 8 Pages | Standard services (most common) | Cover + full service order + readings/hymns + thank you |
| 12 Pages | Extended services or life tributes | Everything above + photo collage + life story + multiple poems |
| 16+ Pages | Comprehensive memorial booklets | Full biography, extensive photos, multiple tributes |
Paper Quality Matters
This booklet will be kept by family and friends for years. The paper quality makes a significant difference to how it looks and feels:
| Paper Type | Characteristics | Recommended For |
|---|---|---|
| Silk/Satin | Smooth finish, vibrant photo reproduction, professional feel | Photo-heavy designs, modern styles |
| Uncoated | Natural texture, easy to write on, classic feel | Traditional services, writing dedications |
| Ivory/ Cream | Smooth finish, premium quality, professional feel | Simple, plain designs |
Pro Tip: Consider a heavier card stock (350gsm) for the cover and lighter paper (200gsm) for inside pages. This creates a premium booklet that’s still easy to turn pages during the service.
Timeline: When to Order Your Prints
DIY vs Professional Printing: Making the Right Choice
When to Use Canva or Word (DIY Approach)
- You’re comfortable with design software
- You want complete creative control
- You have a specific vision that templates don’t match
- You have time to design and troubleshoot
Then send your finished design to us for high-quality output. This combines your personal touch with professional results.
When to Use Professional Design Services
- You’re short on time or feeling overwhelmed
- You’re not confident with design software
- You want expert guidance on layout and content
- You need revisions handled quickly
- You want a truly polished, premium result
Common Mistake to Avoid: Don’t try to print these at home on a standard printer. Even high-end home printers can’t match professional quality, and the paper will fade over time. The small cost difference isn’t worth sacrificing a lasting tribute.
Simple example on how to use our design tool software
Pre-Service Checklist
Collect 2-3 high-resolution photos
Smartphone photos from the last 5 years work perfectly.
Confirm full legal name and dates
Double-check the spelling and dates to avoid printing errors.
Get the service order from celebrant/clergy
Ask for the running order, hymn numbers, and any specific readings they’re using.
Source full lyrics for all hymns and songs
Copy these from hymn books or reliable websites. Include all verses you’ll be singing.
Choose meaningful poems or readings
Popular choices include “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” and Psalm 23.
Write your thank-you message
Keep it simple: “The family would like to thank you for your attendance and support during this difficult time.”
Decide on charity donations
If requesting donations instead of flowers, get the charity name and donation link/address.
Calculate quantity needed
Order 20-30% more than expected attendance. Extra copies cost little but running out is stressful.
Proofread everything
Check dates, names, spelling. Have other people review it before printing.
Adding other funeral stationery to order of service funeral prints
In addition to the order of service funeral booklet, there are other funeral stationery items that you may want to consider creating a personalized and meaningful funeral service. You can create other funeral stationery items, including funeral bookmarks, funeral welcome signs, funeral attendance cards, memorial keepsake cards, and funeral thank-you cards. All our funeral stationery designs can be matched with free order of service funeral template.
Funeral Bookmarks:
Funeral bookmarks are a popular keepsake item that guests can take home with them. They can include a photo of the deceased, a favourite quote, or a poem. You can choose from our pre-designed templates or create a custom design that reflects the personality and life of the deceased.
Funeral Welcome Signs:
Funeral welcome signs are a great way to welcome guests to the service. They can include the name and photo of the deceased, as well as any other information you would like to include. You can choose from our pre-designed templates or create a custom design that matches your funeral order of service booklet.
Funeral Attendance Cards:
Funeral attendance cards can be used to keep track of guests and their contact information. They can also be used as a way to thank guests for attending the service. You can choose from our pre-designed templates or create a custom design that matches your funeral order of service booklet.
Memorial Keepsake Cards:
Memorial keepsake cards can be a comforting reminder of the deceased. They can include a photo of the deceased, a favourite quote, or a poem. You can choose from our pre-designed templates or create a custom design that reflects the personality and life of the deceased.
Funeral Thank-You Cards:
Funeral thank-you cards are a thoughtful way to express gratitude to guests for attending the service or for their support during a difficult time. You can choose from our pre-designed templates or create a custom design that matches your funeral order of service booklet.
If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to email us.
You can click on this link for popular funeral hymns
