Creating a Funeral Program: Template and Tips
If you've been handed the task of creating a funeral program, you're probably staring at a blank document wondering what's supposed to go on it and how much polish it needs. This guide walks through exactly what to include, how to lay it out, where to print it, and what to do if you're building it in Canva, Google Docs, or Word. You'll find sample copy, a full template you can adapt, and design tips that keep the program from looking amateur without requiring design skills.
A funeral program is the printed handout guests receive when they walk in. It tells them the order of the service, lists the speakers and music, introduces the person who died, and gives them something to take home. Done well, it's both a practical program and a keepsake — the thing a grieving cousin will tuck into a drawer and still find twenty years from now.
What a Funeral Program Does
A well-made program does three jobs at once:
- Orients guests — tells them what's happening and in what order so nobody feels lost
- Introduces the person — gives a quick summary of who they were for guests who didn't know them well
- Serves as a keepsake — a physical object guests keep to remember the day
You don't have to do all three brilliantly. But you do have to do all three at least adequately. A program that only lists the service order with no information about the person feels cold; one that's only a tribute without the running order leaves guests confused about what comes next.
What to Include: The Standard Sections
Most programs hit the same 7 to 9 sections. Here's what to include, in the order they usually appear.
1. Cover
The front panel of the program. It typically contains:
- A large photo of the person (usually a portrait, but a favorite candid works too)
- Full name (first, middle, last — the name they were known by)
- Birth date and death date (e.g., "January 14, 1948 — March 2, 2026")
- Location and date of the service
- Sometimes: a short epitaph, a favorite quote, or the phrase "In Loving Memory of" or "Celebrating the Life of"
Keep the cover uncluttered. One strong photo and the essential facts. If the cover is busy, the whole program looks cluttered.
2. Order of Service
The heart of the program. List each element of the service in order with the name of the officiant, speaker, or performer. A typical order of service looks like:
- Processional — "Amazing Grace"
- Welcome — Rev. David Chen
- Opening Prayer — Rev. David Chen
- Scripture Reading (Psalm 23) — Sarah Thompson (granddaughter)
- Eulogy — Michael Thompson (son)
- Musical Selection — "How Great Thou Art" (congregational)
- Remarks — Friends and family (open)
- Closing Prayer — Rev. David Chen
- Recessional — "When the Saints Go Marching In"
For a celebration of life, swap religious language for whatever fits — "Reflection" instead of "Scripture Reading," "Songs We Loved" instead of "Musical Selection."
3. Obituary or Life Summary
A short biography, typically 150-300 words. This is where guests who barely knew the person learn who they were. A solid obituary covers:
- Birthplace and early life (1-2 sentences)
- Education and career (2-3 sentences)
- Marriage and family (2-3 sentences)
- Interests, passions, volunteer work (2-3 sentences)
- Survivors (a list — spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings)
Write in third person. Keep the tone warm but factual. Avoid flowery language — "she lived life to the fullest" doesn't tell anyone anything.
Sample obituary passage:
Eleanor Rose Mitchell was born in Pittsburgh on January 14, 1948, to Harold and Clara Mitchell. After graduating from Penn State in 1970, she moved to Columbus, Ohio, where she met her husband Tom at a bowling alley — a story she loved to retell. Eleanor taught third grade at Washington Elementary for 32 years, where generations of students remember her as the teacher who made them believe they were smart. She raised three children, played golf badly but enthusiastically, and kept a garden that took over the entire backyard. She is survived by her husband Tom, her children David, Sarah, and Michael, seven grandchildren, and her sister Margaret.
That's 110 words and it tells you everything you need to know.
4. Pallbearers
If the service includes a casket procession, list the pallbearers by name. Traditionally there are 6, though 4 or 8 also works. You can also list honorary pallbearers — family members or close friends who are acknowledged without physically carrying the casket.
5. Family Acknowledgments
A short thank-you from the family to everyone who came, sent flowers, brought food, or supported them through the loss. Two or three sentences is enough.
Sample acknowledgment:
The Mitchell family wishes to thank each of you for your love, prayers, cards, and visits during this difficult time. Your support has meant more than we can express. Mom would have been thrilled to see this room so full of the people she loved.
6. Poem, Scripture, or Quote
Most programs include a reading — a psalm, a favorite poem, a song lyric, or a quote that captures something about the person. This can go on an inside page or the back.
Common choices include Psalm 23, "Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye, "The Dash" by Linda Ellis, or a passage from a book the person loved.
7. Memorial Donation Information
If the family has requested donations to a charity in lieu of flowers, include it here with the charity's name, address, and website.
Sample donation text:
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Eleanor's name to the Columbus Literacy Coalition (columbusliteracy.org), an organization she supported for over 20 years.
8. Reception Information
Details about the gathering that follows the service: location, address, and approximate start time. Include parking notes if relevant.
9. Back Cover
The back panel often repeats key details (name, dates, photo) and includes a closing poem, prayer, or final thank-you. Some families leave it deliberately simple — just a photo and a single line like "Always Remembered."
Two Sample Program Layouts
Here are two complete program templates you can adapt. Copy the structure and fill in your details.
Sample 1: Traditional Funeral Program (Half-Fold, 4 Panels)
Front cover:
In Loving Memory of Eleanor Rose Mitchell January 14, 1948 — March 2, 2026 [Portrait photo] Funeral Service Saturday, March 8, 2026, 11:00 AM First Presbyterian Church Columbus, Ohio
Inside left — Order of Service:
Processional — "Amazing Grace" Welcome and Opening Prayer — Rev. David Chen Scripture Reading: Psalm 23 — Sarah Mitchell Hymn: "How Great Thou Art" — Congregation Eulogy — Michael Mitchell Remarks — Family and Friends Musical Selection: "On Eagle's Wings" — Soloist Closing Prayer — Rev. David Chen Recessional — "When the Saints Go Marching In"
Inside right — Obituary:
[150-300 words on Eleanor's life]
Survivors: Husband: Thomas Mitchell Children: David, Sarah, and Michael Mitchell Grandchildren: [7 names] Sister: Margaret Mitchell-Reyes
Back cover:
Pallbearers [6 names]
Honorary Pallbearers [3-4 names]
In Lieu of Flowers Donations may be made to the Columbus Literacy Coalition (columbusliteracy.org).
Reception Fellowship Hall immediately following the service.
"Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep..." — Mary Elizabeth Frye
Sample 2: Celebration of Life Program (Half-Fold, 4 Panels)
Front cover:
Celebrating the Life of Tom Rivera June 3, 1955 — April 1, 2026 [Candid photo — Tom laughing at a barbecue] Saturday, April 18, 2026, 2:00 PM Riverside Park Pavilion
Inside left — The Afternoon:
2:00 — Welcome from Sarah Rivera 2:10 — "Here Comes the Sun" — Slideshow 2:25 — Reflections from the family - David Rivera (son) - Maria Rivera-Chen (daughter) - Tony Rivera (brother) 2:45 — Open microphone — share a story 3:15 — Closing toast — Sarah Rivera 3:30 — Reception begins (same location)
Inside right — About Tom:
[Personal bio — 250 words]
Tom was a mechanic, a gardener, a grandfather, and the most stubborn man his family ever met. He restored three cars to running condition in his garage, grew tomatoes the size of softballs, and never once asked for directions. He ran his repair shop for 38 years and knew every customer by first name...
Back cover:
Tom always said: "You don't have to be right. You have to be kind. And you have to finish what you started."
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Riverside Food Bank in Tom's name.
Thank you for being here today. — Sarah, David, Maria, and the entire Rivera family
Design Tips That Make a Program Look Good
You don't need to be a designer. Follow these rules and you'll avoid the most common mistakes.
Fonts
- Use no more than 2 fonts. One for headings, one for body text. More than 2 looks chaotic.
- Serif fonts (Garamond, Cormorant, Lora) feel traditional. Good for standard funerals.
- Sans-serif fonts (Montserrat, Lato, Poppins) feel modern. Good for celebrations of life.
- Avoid script/handwriting fonts for body text. They're hard to read. Use them sparingly for a name on the cover at most.
- Body text should be 10-11 point. Smaller is hard to read; bigger wastes space.
Photos
- Use one great photo on the cover, not three mediocre ones. A cover packed with small images loses impact.
- High resolution matters. Print photos at 300 DPI minimum. A low-res phone photo blown up to page size looks pixelated.
- Crop tight on the face. A portrait that fills the frame reads better than a full-body shot squeezed into a quarter of the cover.
- Black and white or full color both work. Black and white can feel more traditional; color feels alive. Pick one and stick with it throughout.
Layout
- Use generous margins. At least 0.5 inches on every side. Cramped margins look amateurish.
- Let text breathe. Don't fill every inch of the page. White space is part of the design.
- Align consistently. Pick left-aligned or centered and stick with it. Switching back and forth looks messy.
- Use bold and italic sparingly. Bold for headings and key names. Italic for poetry and quotes. Don't mix them within a line.
Color
- Two or three colors maximum. Black plus one accent color is usually enough.
- Match the cover photo. If the photo has warm tones, pick a warm accent (burgundy, gold, sage). If it's black and white, a deep neutral like navy works.
- Avoid bright primary colors unless the person's personality calls for it. Hot pink or electric yellow can work for the right celebration of life but reads as odd for a traditional service.
Where to Make the Program
You have four main options, in order of cost.
Free: Canva or Google Docs
Canva has dozens of free funeral program templates. Search "funeral program" and filter by free. You can edit in the browser, download as PDF, and print anywhere. Expect to spend 30-60 minutes customizing.
Google Docs works for simpler programs. The "Brochure" templates under the Education category can be adapted. Less visually polished than Canva, but free and familiar.
Cheap: Microsoft Word or Publisher
If you prefer desktop software, Word has built-in brochure templates you can modify. Publisher (part of Microsoft 365) is better designed for this kind of layout.
Mid-Range: Local Print Shop
Take your Canva or Word file to a local FedEx, Staples, or independent print shop. They'll print on quality paper and fold for you. Expect to pay $1-$3 per program for 50-100 copies, or $75-$250 total.
Full Service: Funeral Home
Most funeral homes offer program design and printing as part of their package. You provide the photo, obituary text, and order of service; they handle the rest. Costs usually run $150-$400 for 100 programs. Quality varies — ask to see samples first.
Printing: Practical Details
A few things that trip up first-time printers.
Paper
- Card stock is overkill for a single-fold program. Standard 80-lb matte paper looks professional and folds cleanly.
- Glossy finish shows fingerprints. Matte or satin is more forgiving.
- Heavier paper (100+ lb) feels nicer for keepsakes. Worth the extra cost if budget allows.
Quantities
- Print about 75% of expected guest count. Most guests share one program per couple or family.
- Add 10-15 extras as keepsakes for family members.
- Print 5-10 extra as emergency spares.
For a service of 100 guests: print 75-85 programs. For 50 guests: print 40. For 200 guests: print 150.
Timing
- Place the print order at least 5 business days before the service. Rush printing is available but costs 50-100% more.
- Proofread the final draft twice with two different people. Typos in obituaries are the most common complaint families have after the fact.
- Pick up programs at least the day before the service, not the morning of. Printer delays happen.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
These are the errors that come up most often. Dodge them.
- Typos in the name or dates. Double-check the spelling of the deceased's full name, middle name included. Verify birth and death dates against the death certificate.
- Using a low-resolution photo. If the original is small or blurry, it will look worse when printed. Find a better source photo if possible.
- Too much text crammed onto the cover. The cover is for the name, dates, and photo. Move everything else inside.
- Inconsistent fonts between sections. If the cover uses Garamond, don't switch to Times New Roman inside.
- Forgetting the reception details. Guests who don't know the family will miss the reception if it's not printed.
- Listing the wrong officiant or speaker. Confirm every name on the order of service directly with that person before printing.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many funeral programs should I print?
Print about 75% of the expected guest count. Most people share one program per couple or family, so a 100-guest funeral usually needs 60-75 programs plus a few extras for keepsakes.
What size is a funeral program?
Standard sizes are 8.5x11 inches folded in half (half-fold) or 11x17 folded to 8.5x11 (booklet). Half-fold is the most common for single-page programs; booklets work when you have longer content.
Who usually makes the funeral program?
Often a family member with basic design skills uses Canva, Google Docs, or a funeral home template. For larger programs or when the family wants extra polish, the funeral home or a local printer creates it for $50-$300.
What information goes on the back of a funeral program?
The back commonly includes a poem or prayer, a thank-you message from the family, pallbearers' names, details about memorial donations, and information about the reception that follows.
Can I make a funeral program for free?
Yes. Canva and Google Docs both have free funeral program templates you can customize in 30-60 minutes. Home printing or a cheap local print shop keeps costs under $50.
Related Reading
If you'd like more help, these may be useful:
Ready to Write Your Eulogy?
The program lays out the service. The eulogy fills it with meaning. If you're the one writing the eulogy — for a parent, a spouse, a sibling, a friend — you're probably looking at a blank page while also trying to design a program and plan a reception.
If you'd like help writing a personalized eulogy, our service can create one for you based on your answers to a few simple questions about the person who died. Start at eulogyexpert.com/form and we'll take care of the writing so you can get back to everything else on the list.