Funeral prayer cards
Make free wallet-size prayer cards with a photo and a prayer, six to a sheet.
What funeral prayer cards are for
A prayer card is a keepsake. It is usually set out by the guest book or handed out with the funeral program, and people take one home to keep in a wallet, a Bible, a car visor or a frame. Years later it can be the one thing a grandchild finds with the person's name and face on it.
The custom comes from Catholic holy cards: small devotional cards with a picture of Jesus, Mary or a saint on the front and a prayer on the back. Families began adding the name and dates of the person who died, and the funeral holy card was born. Many Catholic families still choose a patron saint or a sacred image for the front.
Today prayer cards are used at Catholic and Protestant funerals, memorial services and celebrations of life alike. Without a prayer, the same card is usually called a memorial card or funeral card: a photo on the front, and a poem or a few words from the family on the back. Size, printing and handing them out are the same.
The Lovekept studio makes both, in the same design as the rest of your funeral stationery. The Catholic preset starts you with a cross icon and a traditional prayer; the Simple preset starts with no religious wording. The studio does not include saint artwork, so the front holds your loved one's photo or a simple icon.
What to write on a prayer card
Keep it short. The back of a standard card holds about 100 words at a size older eyes can read.
Most funeral prayer cards follow the same layout. The front carries a photo or an image, sometimes with a short heading. The back carries the name, the dates and one prayer, verse or poem. A family line or a QR code to the online memorial can sit at the bottom.
Psalm 23, at about 120 words, is close to the most a wallet card holds without shrinking the type. If the reading you love is longer, use a single verse or stanza on the card and print the whole text in the program.
- Front: a photo of the person, or an icon, with an optional heading such as "In Loving Memory"
- Back: full name as it will be remembered, including a nickname if everyone used it
- Back: dates of birth and death, or just the years
- Back: one prayer, verse or short poem
- Optional: a line from the family, the name of the parish or funeral home, or a QR code to the memorial page
Prayers and verses for funeral prayer cards
These are the readings families choose most often for the back of a prayer card, and each one fits a standard card. The traditional Catholic prayers come first, then scripture, then poems and short lines for a card without a prayer.
Eternal Rest
Traditional Catholic prayer. 20 words, fits a prayer card.
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Hail Mary
Traditional Catholic prayer. 42 words, fits a prayer card.
Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
The Memorare
Traditional Catholic prayer. 73 words, best on a program page.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided. Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Prayer of St. Francis
Prayer attributed to St. Francis of Assisi. 105 words, best on a program page.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; and where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be understood, as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive, it is in pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
The Lord's Prayer, traditional form (Matthew 6:9-13). 70 words, fits a prayer card.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalm 23
Psalm 23, King James Version. 118 words, best on a program page.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
John 11:25-26
John 11:25-26, King James Version. 37 words, fits a prayer card.
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 14:1-3
John 14:1-3, King James Version. 67 words, fits a prayer card.
Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
Matthew 5:4
Matthew 5:4, King James Version. 10 words, fits a prayer card.
Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.
Revelation 21:4
Revelation 21:4, King James Version. 35 words, fits a prayer card.
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
An Irish Blessing
Traditional Irish blessing. 47 words, fits a prayer card.
May the road rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, and the rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.
Remember
Christina Rossetti (1862). 111 words, best on a program page.
Remember me when I am gone away, Gone far away into the silent land; When you can no more hold me by the hand, Nor I half turn to go yet turning stay. Remember me when no more day by day You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad.
Gone from sight
Lovekept. 21 words, fits a prayer card.
We can no longer see you, but we find you everywhere: in quiet mornings, in the old songs, in each other.
Forever loved
Lovekept. 18 words, fits a prayer card.
You were loved every day of your life, and you are loved still. That part does not end.
Short verses and headings for memorial cards
Copy a line for the front of the card, or a short verse for the back when you want only a few words.
Headings for the front
In Loving Memory
In Loving Memory of
In Remembrance
Celebrating the Life of
Forever in Our Hearts
A Life Well Lived
Short Catholic lines
May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on his soul.
Mary, Mother of God, pray for her.
Please remember in your prayers the soul of [Name].
Of your charity, pray for the repose of the soul of [Name].
Short verses for the back
Loved beyond words, missed beyond measure.
Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.
Those we love are never truly gone. They live on in every memory we share.
A life so beautifully lived deserves to be beautifully remembered.
Forever loved, forever missed, forever in our hearts.
Her love lives on in all of us.
Lines from the family
The family thanks you for your prayers and your kindness.
Thank you for being part of his life and for being with us today.
Keep this card as we keep her in our hearts.
With love and gratitude, the family of [Name].
Prayer card size
The standard prayer card size is 2.5 x 4.25 in. That is the size this studio prints, and it fits in a wallet, a Bible or a card slot.
| Size | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5 x 4.25 in | Standard prayer or holy card | The most common size. Prints 6 per Letter sheet at home. |
| 2 x 3.5 in | Wallet card | Business card size. Room for a short verse, not a full prayer. |
| 2.75 x 4.75 in | Larger prayer card | Offered by some memorial printers for a bigger photo. |
| 3 x 4.75 in | Premium prayer card | Sold by some online printers, usually laminated. |
| 4 x 6 in | Photo memorial card | Postcard size. Room for a longer poem or a short obituary. |
A laminated card comes out a little larger than the paper card, because the clear edge adds about 1/8 in on each side.
How to print and laminate prayer cards at home
A home inkjet or laser printer and a few supplies from an office store are enough.
Choose the paper
Use card stock, not copy paper. Most home printers handle 65 to 80 lb cover; check your printer's manual before trying heavier stock. Matte stock is easy to write on; glossy photo card stock makes the photo richer on an inkjet.
Set the print dialog
Print at 100% or "Actual size", not "Fit to page", so the cards come out at 2.5 x 4.25 in. Turn on two-sided printing if your printer has it, or print the fronts, turn the sheet over as your printer requires, and print the backs.
Print one test sheet
Run one sheet on plain paper first. Hold it up to a window to check that each back sits behind its front before you use card stock.
Cut along the marks
A paper trimmer gives the cleanest edges. A metal ruler and a craft knife on a cutting mat also work. Cut the long lines first, then the short ones.
Laminate if you want
Self-seal laminating pouches need no machine: peel, place the card, press flat. With a thermal laminator, use 3 or 5 mil pouches. Leave a clear border of about 1/8 in around each card so the seal holds, then trim.
Round the corners
A corner rounder punch from a craft store gives laminated cards a finished look and stops sharp plastic corners from catching in a wallet.
How many prayer cards to print
Plan one card for each guest you expect, plus 10 to 20 percent. Families almost always want extras afterwards for relatives who could not come, for the house, and for mailing with funeral thank you cards.
Home printing costs a few cents per card in card stock and ink, so printing extra is cheap. For laminated cards in large numbers, or when there is no time to cut, choose "Exact size" in the studio and take the file to FedEx Office, Staples or a local printer, or use a specialist memorial card printer that ships overnight.
More free funeral templates
- All funeral templatesWhat to print for a funeral, how many, and by when.
- Obituary templateFill in the obituary and print it on Letter pages.
- Funeral programFolded 4-page program with the order of service and life story.
- Celebration of life programA relaxed order of events for a personal gathering.
- Thank you cardsFolded cards with your message printed inside, 2 to a sheet.
- Invitation5 x 7 invitations for a funeral, memorial or celebration of life.
Questions families ask
What do you write on a prayer card for a funeral?
A funeral prayer card usually has the person's full name, dates of birth and death, and one prayer, verse or short poem on the back, with a photo or religious image on the front. Some families add a line of thanks, the name of the parish, or a QR code to the online memorial. Keep the reading to about 100 words so the type stays readable.
What size is a funeral prayer card?
The standard funeral prayer card size is 2.5 x 4.25 in. Some printers also offer 2.75 x 4.75 in and 3 x 4.75 in, and a 2 x 3.5 in wallet card is used when only a short verse is needed. Six standard cards fit on one US Letter sheet.
Are funeral prayer cards a Catholic thing?
Funeral prayer cards began as Catholic holy cards, but families of many faiths use them now. Protestant families often print Psalm 23 or a Bible verse, and families without a religion print a poem or a few words instead. Without a prayer, the card is usually called a memorial card.
What is the difference between a prayer card and a Mass card?
A prayer card is a keepsake the family hands out at the service. A Mass card comes from a parish or religious order and tells the family that a Mass will be offered for the person who died; friends arrange it with the parish, usually with an offering. Lovekept does not make Mass cards, since only a parish can issue one.
What is a good prayer for a funeral prayer card?
The Eternal Rest prayer, the Hail Mary and the Memorare are the most common on Catholic funeral prayer cards. Psalm 23 and John 14 are popular with other Christian families. For a card without religion, a short poem such as Christina Rossetti's "Remember" or the Irish blessing works well.
Are memorial cards the same as prayer cards?
Yes, they are the same item with different wording. A memorial card is the same wallet-size card with a photo on the front and a poem or family message on the back instead of a prayer. People also call them funeral cards or remembrance cards.
How many prayer cards do I need for a funeral?
Print one per expected guest plus 10 to 20 percent. For a service of 100 people, about 120 cards is a safe number. Extras are useful for relatives who could not attend and for tucking into thank you notes.
How do I print my own prayer cards?
Make the card here, then print on US Letter card stock at 100% scale, six cards per sheet, fronts and backs. Print a plain-paper test first to check that the sides line up. Cut along the cut marks with a paper trimmer.
How do you laminate prayer cards at home?
Use self-seal laminating pouches, or a thermal laminator with 3 or 5 mil pouches. Place each cut card in a pouch, seal it, and trim so a clear border of about 1/8 in remains. Round the corners with a corner punch.
Can I put a picture of a saint on the card?
Saint images are a long tradition on Catholic holy cards, but the studio does not include saint artwork. Its Catholic preset uses a cross and a traditional prayer, and the front of the card holds your loved one's photo. Specialist memorial printers sell holy cards with licensed saint images if you want one.
Is there a free prayer card template in Word?
There is no Word file, because this prayer card template works in your browser. It prints straight to your printer and also saves as a PDF on a computer, which any print shop accepts. It is free with a Lovekept account, and there is no watermark.
Make the prayer cards now
Type the name and dates, choose a prayer, and print six cards per sheet. The details carry over to the program and thank you cards, so everything matches.