Funeral Order of Service: Template and Examples
A funeral order of service is a printed program that outlines the sequence of events during a funeral or memorial service. It serves as a guide for attendees, helping them follow along with prayers, hymns, readings, and other elements of the ceremony while providing a keepsake to remember the deceased.
Creating an order of service can feel overwhelming when you are already managing so many details after a loss. This guide provides templates, examples, and practical advice to help you create a meaningful program that honors your loved one’s memory.
What Is Included in a Funeral Order of Service
A typical funeral order of service contains both ceremonial elements and personal touches that reflect the life of the deceased. The front cover usually displays the person’s name, birth and death dates, and often a photograph.
Inside, you will find the order of events for the service. This typically includes an opening prayer or welcome, hymns or songs with their lyrics, scripture readings, eulogies, and a closing prayer or benediction. Many families also include a brief biography or obituary summary.
The back cover often features additional photos, a favorite poem or quote, acknowledgments thanking those who helped during this time, or information about the burial location and reception details.
Essential Elements to Include
Every order of service should contain these core components:
- Name, dates, and photo of the deceased
- Order of ceremony events with timing
- Song lyrics or hymn numbers
- Names of speakers and their roles
- Pallbearer names (if applicable)
- Thank you message to attendees
Optional Personal Touches
Consider adding these meaningful elements:
- Favorite quotes, poems, or scripture verses
- Brief life timeline or achievements
- Photos from different life stages
- Information about charitable donations
- Details about reception or gathering
Sample Funeral Order of Service Template
Here is a basic template you can adapt for any type of service:
Front Cover:
[Photo]
In Loving Memory of
[Full Name]
[Birth Date] – [Death Date]
[Service Date and Location]
Inside Left Page:
Order of Service
- Opening Music: [Song Title]
- Welcome and Opening Prayer: [Officiant Name]
- Hymn: [Title and verse numbers]
- Scripture Reading: [Passage and reader name]
- Eulogy: [Speaker name]
- Musical Selection: [Title and performer]
- Closing Prayer and Benediction
- Recessional: [Song title]
Inside Right Page:
A Life Remembered
[Brief biography or favorite memories – 3-4 paragraphs]
Back Cover:
[Additional photos or meaningful quote]
Acknowledgments
The family wishes to thank everyone for their love and support during this difficult time.
Reception
Please join us for refreshments at [location] following the service.
Religious vs. Non-Religious Service Programs
The content and structure of your order of service will vary depending on whether you are planning a religious or secular ceremony.
Religious Service Elements
Religious services often follow established liturgical traditions. For Christian services, you might include hymns from the church hymnal, scripture readings, and traditional prayers like the Lord’s Prayer or 23rd Psalm. Include hymn numbers so attendees can follow along if hymnals are available.
Jewish services may include the Kaddish prayer, Hebrew blessings, and Psalms. Islamic services often feature Quranic recitations and specific prayers. Check with your religious leader about traditional elements and proper formatting.
Non-Religious Service Elements
Secular services offer more flexibility in content and structure. You might include contemporary music, poetry, personal reflections from family and friends, or readings from literature that was meaningful to the deceased.
Consider organizing the service around themes like celebration of life, sharing memories, or honoring achievements. The tone can be more conversational and personal compared to traditional religious ceremonies.
Design and Formatting Tips
A well-designed order of service is both functional and beautiful. Choose fonts that are easy to read, especially for older attendees who may have vision difficulties. Stick to one or two font families throughout the program.
Leave plenty of white space so the program does not feel cluttered. Use appropriate margins and ensure text is large enough to read comfortably. A good rule is to use at least 12-point font for body text and larger sizes for headings.
Photo Selection and Placement
Choose high-quality photos that represent different stages of the person’s life. A formal portrait works well for the front cover, while candid photos showing personality and relationships are perfect for inside pages.
Ensure photos are high resolution (at least 300 DPI) for printing. Black and white photos often reproduce better than color on standard printing equipment.
Paper and Printing Considerations
Most orders of service are printed on cardstock or heavy paper that feels substantial but is not too expensive. Standard sizes include 8.5″ x 11″ folded in half (creating 4 panels) or 8.5″ x 14″ legal size folded in half.
Plan to print 10-15% more programs than expected attendees to account for extras and keepsakes. Many local print shops can produce small quantities quickly, often within 24 hours.
Working with Funeral Homes and Officiants
Many funeral homes offer order of service design and printing as part of their services. This can be helpful when you are managing many details, but it may limit your customization options and could add to costs.
If you choose to create your own program, coordinate with the officiant to ensure you have accurate information about the service structure. Some religious leaders prefer specific wording or traditional elements that should be included.
Review the final version with the officiant before printing to catch any errors in names, dates, or ceremony details. This is especially important for religious services where specific prayers or liturgical elements must be accurate.
Digital and Online Memorial Options
Some families now create digital versions of their order of service to share online or display during virtual services. This can be especially helpful when travel restrictions or health concerns limit in-person attendance.
Digital programs can include interactive elements like links to online memorial pages, video tributes, or photo galleries. However, many people still prefer printed programs as tangible keepsakes.
Consider creating both digital and printed versions. The digital version can include additional content like longer photo galleries or audio recordings, while the printed version serves as the official ceremony guide.
Cost Considerations and Budget-Friendly Options
Professional printing at funeral homes typically costs $2-5 per program, which can add up quickly for larger services. Home printing on a good quality printer can reduce costs significantly, especially for smaller gatherings.
Simple designs print more reliably and cost less than complex layouts with multiple photos and colors. Black text on white or cream paper creates an elegant, readable program at the lowest cost.
Consider having a family member with design skills create the program, or use online templates from services like Canva or Microsoft Word. Many of these templates are free or low-cost and can be customized easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many order of service programs should I print?
Print one program for every two attendees, as many couples and families will share. Add 10-15 extra copies for keepsakes and unexpected guests. For a service expecting 100 people, order 60-65 programs.
When should I have the order of service ready?
Complete your order of service at least 24-48 hours before the service to allow time for printing and review. If using a professional printer, allow additional time for their production schedule. Digital versions can be finished closer to the service date.
Can I include personal photos and memories?
Yes, personal touches make the order of service more meaningful. Include 2-4 photos maximum to avoid overcrowding. Brief personal memories, favorite quotes, or achievements help celebrate the person’s unique life while keeping the program focused on the service itself.
What if I make a mistake in the printed program?
Small errors like typos are usually not noticeable to most attendees. For significant mistakes like wrong dates or names, consider printing correction slips to insert in programs or having the officiant make an announcement. Most people understand that these programs are created during difficult circumstances.
Do I need different programs for the funeral and burial service?
If the funeral and burial are separate events with different activities, create separate programs or include both services in one comprehensive program. For services that flow directly from funeral to graveside, one program covering both locations works well. Include timing and location details for each part of the service.
Creating a thoughtful order of service helps guide attendees through the ceremony while providing a lasting tribute to your loved one. Whether simple or elaborate, the program serves as both a practical tool and a meaningful keepsake for those who gather to honor a life well-lived.
For help with other funeral planning details, our funeral planning checklist covers all the essential steps you need to take during this difficult time.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, medical, or financial advice. Always consult qualified professionals for guidance specific to your situation.