A funeral order of service is more than just a printed program; it’s a heartfelt tribute, typically including readings, poems, and cherished photos. However, after the ceremony, many people, both guests and family members, are left wondering what they should do with it.
In this guide, you will discover thoughtful and respectful ways to keep, share, or dispose of a printed funeral order of service after the ceremony.
Thoughtful Ways for Guests and Families to Preserve or Dispose of Funeral Booklets
Everyone handles funeral booklets differently. Here’s what most people tend to do:
1. Keep It as a Keepsake (Most Common for Close Family & Friends)
Close family and friends mostly store it in a memory box, photo album, or displayed in a frame as they want to keep the order of service as a lasting memory.
2. Tuck It Away and Forget About It
Some guests bring the booklet home and unintentionally set it aside. Sometimes it might end up in a drawer and be rediscovered months or years later, which often brings back the sweet old memories.
3. Recycle or Dispose of It (More Common Among Casual Acquaintances)
Guests who didn’t know the deceased well may respectfully recycle the booklet shortly after the funeral service.
4. Pass It On
Some people give their copy to someone who couldn’t attend the service, especially if that person was close to the family.
Ways Guests Can Honour the Memory with the Funeral Program
- Keep It as a Memento: Tuck it into a photo album, memory box, or with other sentimental items to honour the person’s memory.
- Share It With Others: Mail or hand it to someone who couldn’t attend. It’s a simple but thoughtful way to help them feel included in the remembrance.
- Recycle Respectfully: If you don’t feel a personal connection to the service, it’s perfectly fine to recycle the booklet. You can do so respectfully and discreetly.
For Family Members: Meaningful Ideas
- Create a Memory Box or Folder: Families also collect items like sympathy cards, letters, photos, and the funeral order of service into a special box or folder.
- Include It in a Scrapbook or Grief Journal: Using the booklet in a memorial scrapbook or journal alongside personal notes and photos can bring comfort when grieving.
- Frame It as a Tribute: Framing the front cover or a page with a photo or favourite poem is a lovely way to preserve their memory visually.
- Save a Digital Copy: This can make sharing with extended family easy and ensures it’s preserved for the future.
- Use It for Future Memorials: Keep extra copies for anniversaries, remembrance services, or private family gatherings where you might want to revisit the tribute.
Eco-Friendly Disposal Tips
If you have multiple extra copies or decide not to keep yours, here are respectful, eco-conscious disposal ideas:
- Recycle as paper waste.
- Shred and Compost if printed with eco-friendly materials. (If you have printed it from us, we use eco-friendly paper and ink)
- Avoid Landfill to honour the memory with a more sustainable farewell.
Creative Alternatives
Looking for something more unique? Try repurposing parts of the order of service:
- Bookmarks: Cut out quotes or photos and laminate them into bookmarks.
- Memory Collage: Combine it with photos and pressed flowers in a shadow box.
- Tribute Tree Tags: Cut small shapes from the booklet and hang them on a remembrance tree.
What If You Can’t Throw It Away?
It is completely understandable to feel attached to an order of service for a funeral, especially when it’s filled with photos, personal tributes, and memories. If it feels too meaningful to bin, here are respectful and thoughtful ways to preserve or repurpose it:
1. Keep Just the Pages with Special Photos
If you don’t want to keep the entire booklet, you can also consider removing just the pages with meaningful images or messages. These can be saved for in a scrapbook, photo album, or memory folder, and the rest can be recycled with more ease without feeling guilty.
2. Save Digitally
Preserve every page by scanning the booklet and saving it on your computer or cloud storage. You can even create a private digital photo album or slideshow for family and future generations.
3. Turn It Into a Tribute Book
You can also use the booklet as the starting point for a custom photo or memory book. Add condolence messages, family memories, or funeral day photos to create a complete keepsake that honours your loved one.
4. Store It in a Memory Box
Keep the booklet intact and place it with others cherished items like sympathy cards, a flower from the service, or a personal note in a memory box or special keepsake tin.
5. Frame the Most Meaningful Page
Select a page with a favourite photo, quote, or poem, and frame it as a tribute. This way, you can honour the memory in a visible, comforting way while letting go of the rest if needed.
6. Offer Copies to Family
If you have extras, check if other family members would like a copy before deciding how to dispose of them. They may deeply appreciate the chance to keep one.
There is no “correct” way to handle a funeral order of service after the ceremony. Whether you treasure it, share it, repurpose it, or recycle it, your choice reflects your own way of remembering.
If you’re currently planning a funeral, we offer beautifully printed, customisable funeral order of service templates with fast turnaround and optional digital versions.
