A funeral program is one of those details that can feel small until you’re the one standing at the door, greeting people, and watching them look for something to hold onto. It’s practical, yes. It helps guests follow along with the service. But it’s also deeply human. A well-made memorial program gives everyone a shared story in their hands—names spelled correctly, dates confirmed, photos chosen with love, and a gentle sense of “this is what happens next.”
Families often call it an order of service program, an “order of worship,” or simply “the program.” Whatever you call it, it serves two purposes at once: it’s a roadmap for the room, and it becomes a keepsake long after the last hymn, reading, or memory has been spoken. If you’re wondering what to include in a funeral program, how to format it, and where to print it without adding stress, this guide will walk you through it in a calm, clear way.
One more context piece matters today: more families are planning services that look different than they did a generation ago. According to the National Funeral Directors Association, the U.S. cremation rate is projected to be 63.4% in 2025 (compared with a projected burial rate of 31.6%). That shift often means memorial services happen days or weeks later, sometimes in a home, a park, or a community space rather than a church or funeral home chapel. And when the timing and setting are flexible, the program becomes even more helpful as a shared anchor.
What a Funeral Program Is and Why It Matters
At the simplest level, a funeral program tells guests three things: who the service is for, what will happen during the service, and how the family wants to be remembered afterward (through a reception, a donation request, a later gathering, or a personal note of thanks). At a deeper level, it offers reassurance. People are often nervous at funerals—worried they’ll sit in the wrong place, stand at the wrong time, or miss the moment that matters. A program quietly removes that pressure.
It’s also one of the few printed items that tends to survive the day. People tuck programs into purses, coat pockets, Bibles, or memory boxes. Years later, it can become the most accessible “snapshot” of the service: the photo you chose, the reading that felt true, the spelling of a grandchild’s name, the song that brought the room to silence.
If you want a baseline for how programs are typically structured, Funeral.com’s guide What Is a Typical Funeral Program? is a helpful reference point.
What to Include in a Funeral Program
Most programs are built around a small set of essentials, and everything else is optional. If you’re using a funeral program template, these are the sections you’ll usually see. When you’re creating your own, these are the parts that matter most to get right.
The Essential Sections
- Cover: Name of the person (including nickname if appropriate), birth and death dates, and one photo (or a meaningful image such as a flower, landscape, or faith symbol).
- Service details: Date, time, location, and officiant (and sometimes musicians or readers).
- Order of service: The sequence of what happens—welcome, opening words, readings, music, eulogy, prayers, remarks, closing, and any committal instructions.
- Obituary: A short or full life story, often the most reread part of the program (this is where the phrase obituary in program comes to life).
- Acknowledgments: A brief thank-you from the family, sometimes including pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, and caregivers.
If you only have the energy for the basics, you can still create a meaningful memorial service program with just the cover, order of service, and a short obituary. The rest can be added if it feels supportive rather than burdensome.
The Obituary: How Long Should It Be?
Families often ask whether the program should include a full obituary or a shortened version. The answer usually depends on space and on what you want the program to become afterward. A full obituary can turn the program into a true keepsake—especially if you’re creating a funeral booklet with multiple pages. A shorter obituary works well in a single folded program, especially if a longer obituary will be published online or in print elsewhere.
Either way, aim for clarity and warmth: immediate family, key life milestones, and the things they were known for—work, service, humor, devotion, faith, hobbies, or the way they cared for others. If you want guidance and examples, Funeral.com’s resource How to Write an Obituary can help you find the right tone without feeling like you’re writing a biography under pressure.
The Order of Service: Make It Easy to Follow
The order of service program should be readable at a glance. People shouldn’t have to scan a dense block of text to understand what’s happening next. Even in a less formal setting—like a celebration of life—this section is where guests orient themselves.
One practical tip: include who is speaking or performing next to each item. “Eulogy” is helpful. “Eulogy — Maria Sanchez (daughter)” is far more helpful. And if you’re including lyrics, prayers, or responsive readings, make sure they’re formatted so a guest can follow them comfortably (larger font, generous spacing).
If you’re planning a celebration of life rather than a traditional funeral, Funeral.com’s guide How to Plan a Celebration of Life includes ideas for building a program that fits your family’s style.
Optional Extras That Families Often Appreciate
This is where programs become personal. You do not need to include all of this. Think of these as options you can choose if they genuinely add comfort or reduce confusion.
- Repast or reception details: Address, time, and whether it’s open to all guests or immediate family only.
- Donation or memorial requests: “In lieu of flowers…” information, with a simple, clear instruction.
- Photos inside: A small collage, a favorite candid, a wedding photo—something that feels like them.
- Poems, readings, or lyrics: Especially if the text is central to the service or meaningful to many guests.
- Military, fraternal, or cultural notes: If there are honors or traditions guests should understand.
- A short “how to support us” note: Some families gently include a line like “We welcome stories and photos to be shared with the family,” which can invite connection without pressure.
When cremation is part of the plan, families also sometimes include a brief line to guide expectations. For example, if the service is a memorial after cremation, you might note that the urn will be present, that there will be a later scattering, or that a private family committal will happen another day. If your family is still deciding, it’s also perfectly acceptable to keep that private and focus on the service itself. The program’s role is to support guests, not to force decisions before you’re ready.
Funeral Program Examples for Different Types of Services
If you’ve never planned a service before, it helps to see what “typical” can look like in real life. These funeral program examples are not rules—just a way to picture how a program flows.
- Traditional funeral with burial: Welcome and prayer, reading(s), eulogy, hymn, closing words, and then a brief committal note for those going to the cemetery.
- Memorial service after cremation: Welcome, music, shared memories, reading(s), reflection, closing words, and reception details—often with more time for personal remarks because there is no immediate graveside timeline.
- Pet memorial: A short welcome, a story or poem, a moment of silence, gratitude for companionship, and a small closing ritual (lighting a candle, placing a paw print, or sharing a favorite photo).
Pet services tend to be smaller and more informal, but the emotional importance is real. If you’re creating a program for a pet memorial, you might include a photo, a few lines about their life, and a note about how the family is remembering them. Some families also find comfort in choosing pet urns or pet urns for ashes that feel like a true tribute, especially when the program becomes part of a keepsake box later.
Design Tips That Make Programs Feel Calm and Readable
Good design isn’t about being fancy. It’s about making the program easy to use on a hard day. Start with one clear cover photo, keep fonts simple, and leave space on the page. White space is not “wasted” space—it’s breathing room for a grieving mind.
Choose a font size that older relatives can read without strain. If you’re printing a folded funeral program with multiple columns, avoid squeezing too much text into narrow areas. And before you print, ask one person who is not involved in the design to read it for errors and clarity. Fresh eyes catch the missed middle initial, the reversed date, or the song title that isn’t quite right.
Photos deserve special attention. If you’re printing locally and quickly, pick images that are high-resolution and not heavily cropped. If you’re pulling a photo from a phone, choose one that is sharp when you zoom in. A beautiful program can be undone by a pixelated cover.
Sizes, Folds, and When a Booklet Makes Sense
Most programs fall into a few familiar formats, and choosing one is usually about two things: how much content you have and how formal the service feels.
The most common option is a single sheet of letter-size paper (8.5 x 11) folded in half, creating a booklet-style feel with four panels. This is what many people picture when they hear “program.” A tri-fold can work when you want more panel space without adding pages, but it can feel busier and is harder to read if the text becomes cramped.
If you have a lot of photos, a full obituary, multiple readings, or music lyrics, a stapled funeral booklet can be worth it. Booklets take longer to assemble and typically cost more, but they also become the most complete keepsake. Families often choose a booklet when the program will be shared widely, saved for years, or used in a service with many moving parts.
How Many Funeral Programs to Print
The question how many funeral programs to print is practical, and it matters because printing too few creates a stressful scramble right before the service. Printing too many can feel wasteful—although extra programs are rarely regretted because they become keepsakes for people who couldn’t attend.
A simple rule that works for many families is to print enough for roughly three-quarters of expected attendance, then add a cushion. Couples often share a program, and some guests won’t take one. But you’ll also want extras for close family, for anyone traveling who wants one to mail to relatives back home, and for your own memory box.
If your service is likely to have a lot of walk-ins (a community member, a teacher, a coach, a pastor), it’s wise to print more. If it’s small and private, you can print fewer and still have plenty. If you’re doing a multi-event day—visitation and service—you may want separate programs for each, or one program that covers both clearly.
Turnaround Times and What to Do When You’re on a Deadline
Timing is often the hardest part. The emotional work is heavy, and the calendar keeps moving. The good news is that a program does not need to be perfect to be meaningful. It needs to be clear, respectful, and accurate.
If you are short on time, start with a simpler format: a folded program with a brief obituary, the order of service, and a cover photo. You can always create a longer keepsake later—something like a photo book, a printed tribute, or a more detailed booklet for a future anniversary gathering.
In general, local printing can be the fastest route when you need same-day or next-day output. Online printing can be wonderful for higher quantities, upgraded paper, or booklets, but shipping introduces uncertainty. A practical approach many families use is a hybrid: print a modest number locally for the immediate service, then place an online order afterward for those who want a keepsake copy mailed to them.
Where to Print: Funeral Home, Local Printing, or Online
There are three common paths for funeral program printing, and the “best” one depends on your timeline and how much you want to manage yourself.
Some funeral homes offer program design and printing as part of their services. This can reduce stress because they’re used to handling details and deadlines. If you choose this option, ask to see a proof, confirm the number of copies, and verify exactly what’s included (paper quality, color, folding, and whether there is an extra charge for photos).
Local print shops and office-print stores can be ideal when you need speed. They can often print from a PDF, help you choose paper, and fold the programs for you. If you go this route, bring your file as a high-quality PDF, and make sure photos are embedded properly. Ask for one printed sample before running the full order so you can check color and readability.
Online printing works well when you want higher quantities, a polished booklet finish, or you’re coordinating from a distance. It can also be helpful when multiple family members are collaborating on a design remotely. The key is to build in time for shipping and to order early if the service date is fixed.
How Funeral Programs Connect to Cremation and Memorial Choices
Even when your article focus is programs, the reality of modern funeral planning is that the program often becomes the place where “the service” and “the memorial plan” meet. With cremation becoming the majority choice in the U.S, programs increasingly include details that support families who are navigating ashes with care: whether the urn will be present, whether there will be a later scattering, and whether a reception will follow because the committal is private.
Some families also use the program to quietly normalize choices that are very common but still feel unfamiliar at first, like keeping ashes at home. If that’s part of your plan, Funeral.com’s guide Should You Keep Cremated Ashes at Home? can help you think through safety, etiquette, and timing.
And if your family is still deciding what to do with ashes, it can help to remember you don’t have to decide everything before the service. Many families choose a “now and later” approach: a primary urn for the immediate weeks, then keepsakes later when emotions settle. This is where options like cremation urns and cremation urns for ashes (for a full, long-term memorial) and small cremation urns or keepsake urns (for sharing among relatives) come into the conversation naturally. If you want to browse styles and sizes in a calm way, you can explore Funeral.com’s collections for cremation urns for ashes, small cremation urns, and keepsake urns.
For some people, the most comforting option is wearable rather than display-based. cremation jewelry can be especially meaningful for those who travel, live far from family, or simply want something private. Funeral.com’s Cremation Jewelry 101 is a straightforward place to start, and the collections for cremation jewelry and cremation necklaces can help you see what “discreet” really looks like in practice.
If your plans include the ocean or a shoreline ceremony, you may also hear the phrase water burial. This can be a peaceful option, but it comes with specific considerations and timing. Funeral.com’s guide water burial ceremony explains what to expect in a way that feels grounded and respectful.
Cost is part of planning, too, and it’s normal to want a realistic number before you commit to any direction. If you’re mapping a budget and trying to understand how much does cremation cost (and how memorial choices fit into that total), Funeral.com’s guide How Much Does Cremation Cost? can help you see the big picture without turning the process into a sales conversation.
And finally, families planning pet memorials often find that the same need for structure and keepsakes exists—just in a smaller, more intimate way. If you’re honoring a companion animal, pet cremation urns can be a gentle part of the ritual, whether you choose a classic design, a figurine, or a shared keepsake for family members. Funeral.com’s collections for pet cremation urns, pet figurine cremation urns, and pet keepsake cremation urns are designed for the same purpose a program serves: giving love a place to go when the day is over.
However your service is shaped—traditional funeral, memorial after cremation, celebration of life, or a small gathering at home—the program can be one of the kindest gifts you give your guests and yourself. It doesn’t have to be elaborate. It just has to be true.
One last note on trends, only because it reassures many families that they’re not alone: the Cremation Association of North America reports the U.S. cremation rate was 61.8% in 2024 and projects continued growth in the years ahead. In other words, if you’re planning a service that includes an urn, a later scattering, or a memorial held weeks after the death, you are in very familiar territory—and your program can reflect that with quiet confidence.
