A funeral order of service—often called a funeral program—is one of the simplest things you can provide guests, and also one of the most helpful. When people arrive at a service, they’re often anxious about where to sit, when to stand, what the flow will be, and how to participate without making mistakes. A program quietly answers those questions. It gives structure to the moment and lets people focus on remembrance instead of logistics.
This guide explains funeral program what to include, common booklet formats, and several order of service funeral examples you can adapt for religious and non-religious services. You’ll also find practical printing tips, timing guidance, and wording ideas so your program feels warm and clear rather than “template-ish.”
What a Funeral Order of Service Is (and Why It Helps)
An order of service is simply the written outline of the ceremony. It may be a single page, a folded card, or an order of service booklet. It can include the service flow (welcome, readings, music, eulogy, prayers), the names of speakers and musicians, and any participation cues (stand, sit, sing, respond). Many families also include a short obituary-style summary, a photo, and a few lines of gratitude or a reception note.
In a practical sense, the program also functions as a keepsake. Long after flowers are gone, people keep the program tucked in a drawer or a book because it becomes the “artifact” of the day.
Funeral Program: What to Include
Not every program needs every element. The best programs are the ones that match the service you’re actually holding and the tone your family wants. Most families include a core set of items, then add optional pieces as needed.
The Core Essentials
- Name of the person who died (full name, including preferred name)
- Dates (birth and death dates; some families include age)
- Service details (date, time, location, officiant)
- Order of service (the flow of the ceremony, in sequence)
- Participants (readers, speakers, musicians, pallbearers if applicable)
- Closing details (committal, procession, reception, livestream link if used)
Optional, Common Add-Ons
- A short obituary or life summary
- A favorite quote, poem, prayer, or scripture
- Song titles with composer/artist (and hymnal number if relevant)
- Acknowledgments and thank-you note
- Donation or memorial fund information
- Photo collage or one strong portrait photo
- Service roles like honorary pallbearers, ushers, or military honors details
If you feel unsure what to include, a helpful approach is to build the service flow first, then format it into a program. You don’t need to fill space. A program can be short and still feel complete.
Common Booklet Formats: What People Mean by “Order of Service Booklet”
Families often hear “booklet” and imagine something complicated. In reality, there are a few standard formats that printers and funeral homes use because they’re easy to fold and easy to read.
- Single-page handout: one sheet, front and back.
- Bifold: one sheet folded in half (4 panels). This is the most common “funeral program template” format.
- Trifold: one sheet folded into thirds (6 panels), helpful when there are many readings or details.
- Booklet: multiple pages stapled (often 8 or 12 pages), used for longer services or when you want more photos and a fuller life story.
The best format is usually the one that fits your content. If you have one reading and one eulogy, a bifold is often perfect. If you have many tributes and music, a trifold or booklet can prevent the program from feeling cramped.
Sample Order of Service Funeral Examples
These examples are intentionally written as outlines you can copy and customize. You can shorten or expand them based on your service length.
Example: Traditional Religious Service (Bifold-Friendly)
- Prelude / Music
- Welcome and Opening Prayer
- Scripture Reading
- Hymn / Congregational Song
- Obituary / Life Tribute
- Eulogy
- Prayer of Comfort
- Closing Hymn
- Benediction
- Committal (if held immediately after)
- Reception Details
Example: Non-Religious Celebration of Life (Warm and Flexible)
- Welcome
- Moment of Reflection
- Reading (poem, letter, or excerpt)
- Music Selection
- Tributes (2–4 speakers)
- Photo or Video Tribute (optional)
- Closing Words
- Final Song
- Reception / Gathering Details
Example: Graveside Service (Short and Clear)
- Welcome
- Brief Reading / Prayer
- Words of Remembrance
- Committal
- Closing Blessing
- Final Instructions (flowers, departure, reception)
Example: Catholic Funeral Mass (High-Level Program Flow)
- Entrance Hymn
- Opening Rites
- Liturgy of the Word (Readings, Responsorial Psalm, Gospel)
- Homily
- Prayers of the Faithful
- Liturgy of the Eucharist
- Communion
- Final Commendation
- Recessional
- Committal (if held afterward)
If you’re using a formal liturgy, many families keep the program “high level” and let the worship aid or hymnal handle the detailed responses, especially to keep the printed piece readable.
Funeral Program Wording: Simple Phrases That Sound Natural
Families often worry the program will sound too formal or too impersonal. A few simple lines can make it feel human.
- “We are grateful for your presence and support today.”
- “Thank you for celebrating [Name]’s life with us.”
- “Your kindness, prayers, and support are deeply appreciated.”
- “In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to…”
- “A reception will follow at…”
- “Please join us in a moment of reflection.”
If you’re including a life summary, you can keep it short and personal. Many families include three things: a brief timeline, a few defining traits, and the names of close family members. It doesn’t need to be exhaustive to be meaningful.
How to Write an Order of Service Without Getting Stuck
If you’re thinking how to write order of service in the middle of planning, the easiest method is to start with timing and work backward. Most services are 20–60 minutes. Choose your key moments first: welcome, reading, eulogy/tributes, closing. Then add music in the transitions. Then add any ritual elements that matter for your faith or family tradition. Once the sequence is clear, the program writes itself.
If the service includes many speakers, it’s also wise to set gentle time limits. Programs feel calmer when the service matches what’s printed. A common planning choice is to limit tributes to 2–4 speakers and ask each person to aim for a few minutes.
Printing Tips: Making a Printable Funeral Program Easier
Printing is usually where programs become stressful because it’s tied to deadlines. The simplest way to avoid problems is to lock the service order first, then design the program around it, not the other way around.
- Proof names and dates carefully. This is the most common mistake, and it’s painful when it happens.
- Choose readability over ornate fonts. Grief makes it harder to read; larger font size helps.
- Use one strong photo. A clear portrait often prints better than a collage if you’re short on time.
- Print a test copy. Even one test copy can catch layout issues and typos.
- Order extra. Families often keep them, and people take one for relatives who couldn’t attend.
If you’re printing at home, a bifold on heavier paper (like cardstock) is often the easiest to fold cleanly. If you’re using a local printer, ask about turnaround times and whether they prefer PDFs in a specific size. If you’re working with a funeral home, they often have templates or printing partners that can simplify the process.
Timing and Flow: Helping Guests Feel “Carried” Through the Service
A program does more than list items. It signals pace. Guests feel calmer when the service has a clear beginning, a few meaningful middle moments, and a clear closing. If your service includes music, placing songs between speakers helps people breathe. If your service includes a committal, noting it clearly prevents confusion about whether people should travel to another location or stay.
And if you want to offer one line of guidance without being directive, a simple note like “Please silence mobile devices” or “Guests are invited to join the family at…” can keep the day feeling smooth without adding extra instructions.
Funeral Stationery: What Families Often Pair With a Program
Some families use the term funeral stationery to mean everything printed for the day: programs, prayer cards, memorial cards, guest books, and thank-you notes. Not every family wants all of that, and you don’t need it for a meaningful service. But if you do want a coordinated set, many families start with the program design first and then match the other pieces to it.
If you’re building a memorial table, programs pair naturally with a framed photo, a candle, and a small card inviting guests to share a memory. That combination gives guests something to do with their hands, which can be grounding in grief.
A Final Note: A Program Is a Gift to the People Who Show Up
The best funeral programs are not the most elaborate. They are the ones that help people feel guided through the ceremony and leave them with a keepsake that feels true. If you keep the order simple, the wording warm, and the printing readable, you will have created something deeply useful—and quietly comforting—for everyone in the room.
