What goes on each page
The most common format is a single sheet of letter paper folded in half, which gives four panels:
| Panel | What goes on it |
|---|---|
| Front cover | A title such as “In Loving Memory” or “Celebrating the Life of”, a photo, the full name, dates of birth and death, and the service day, time and place. |
| Inside left | The obituary or life story, usually the standard-length version. |
| Inside right | The order of service, with the names of officiants, readers and musicians, and pallbearers. |
| Back cover | A poem, prayer or scripture, a thank-you from the family, and burial or reception details. |
Order of service examples
Christian funeral
Prelude · Processional · Welcome and Opening Prayer · Hymn · Old Testament Reading · New Testament Reading · Obituary · Eulogy · Musical Selection · Message of Comfort · Closing Prayer and Benediction · Recessional
Catholic funeral Mass
Greeting and Placing of the Pall · Entrance Hymn · First Reading · Responsorial Psalm · Second Reading · Gospel · Homily · Prayers of the Faithful · Liturgy of the Eucharist · Words of Remembrance · Final Commendation · Recessional
Your parish will usually give you the readings and hymns; the program follows the Mass.
Non-religious or simple service
Welcome · Reading · Eulogy · Music · Shared Memories · Closing Words
Next to each item, add who is leading it: “Old Testament Reading — Isaiah 40, read by James Collins.”
Readings you can print freely
Many well-known funeral poems are still under copyright. These are in the public domain, so you can print them without permission:
- “Crossing the Bar” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson
- “Death Is Nothing at All” by Henry Scott Holland
- “Remember” by Christina Rossetti
- “Hope” is the thing with feathers, by Emily Dickinson
- “Requiem” by Robert Louis Stevenson
- Psalm 23, Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 and John 14:1–3 in the King James Version
Song lyrics are almost always copyrighted; print the title and artist instead.
Size, paper and printing
- Size: letter paper folded in half (5.5 × 8.5 inches) is standard and prints on any home printer. Legal paper folded (7 × 8.5) gives more room; tabloid folded (8.5 × 11) is a four-page booklet.
- Paper: a heavier matte paper or light cardstock feels right in the hand and doesn’t show through. Glossy paper is hard to write on and shows fingerprints.
- Two-sided printing: at home, choose “two-sided, flip on short edge”. Print one test copy and fold it before printing the rest.
- How many: the expected number of guests plus about 20 percent. Families often keep a few, and people take extras for relatives who couldn’t come.
- Print shops such as an office supply store can usually print and fold programs the same day; bring a PDF on your phone or email it.
Proofreading checklist
- Every name spelled correctly, especially readers and pallbearers
- Dates of birth and death, and the day of the week of the service
- Service time and address
- Photo is clear and not cropped awkwardly
- One other person has read it before you print
Questions
- Who makes the funeral program?
- Funeral homes often offer them, but many families make their own to choose the photo, wording and design. Either is fine.
- What is the difference between a funeral program and an order of service?
- They are the same thing. In the UK and in many churches it is called an order of service; in the US it is usually called a funeral program or memorial folder.
- How far ahead should the program be printed?
- At least a day before the service, so there is time to fix a mistake. Print shops can often turn programs around the same day.