Funeral program template
Make a free four-page funeral program, then print it at home or save it as a PDF.
What to put on a funeral program template, page by page
Most US funeral programs follow the same four-page layout. A good funeral program template gives each page one job, and it can match the rest of your free funeral templates.
The cover says who the program is for. The inside pages tell guests what will happen and who the person was. The back page thanks people and tells them where to go next. Keep the wording short: guests read the program in the minutes before the service starts, often in low light.
The same layout works as a funeral service program at a church or funeral home, or as a memorial service program template when the service is held without the body present. For a memorial service, leave out the pallbearers and the interment line. For a relaxed gathering, the celebration of life program template starts with an order of events instead.
Leave the family's home address and phone numbers off. Programs are left on pews and in parking lots, and a funeral announces when a house will be empty.
- Front cover: a title such as "In Loving Memory" or "Celebrating the Life of", the full name (with a nickname or maiden name if people knew it), a photo, the dates of birth and death, and the service date, time and place.
- Inside left: the order of service, with the names of the officiant, readers, musicians and speakers. Add pallbearers and honorary pallbearers at the bottom.
- Inside right: the life story, a shortened obituary of 150 to 300 words that covers family, work, faith and what the person loved. The full text can go on a separate printable obituary page.
- Back page: a reading or poem, a short acknowledgement from the family, the burial or interment details, the reception or repast, any in lieu of flowers request, and a QR code that links to an online memorial.
Funeral program examples and sample orders of service
Three sample funeral programs you can copy and change, plus a sample back page. The names are examples.
Christian church funeral
Protestant service with burial to follow
Prelude
Processional and seating of the family
Hymn: "Amazing Grace"
Opening prayer, Rev. Daniel Hughes
Old Testament reading: Psalm 23, read by Linda Parker
New Testament reading: John 14:1-3, read by James Collins
Obituary, read by Sarah Collins, granddaughter
Special music: "It Is Well with My Soul"
Eulogy, Michael Collins, son
Reflections from family and friends
Message, Rev. Daniel Hughes
Closing prayer and benediction
Recessional: "How Great Thou Art"
Pallbearers: Robert Collins, Thomas Collins, Kevin Parker, Mark Ellis, Brian Shaw, Luis Romero
Interment: Oakwood Cemetery, immediately following
Catholic funeral Mass
Order of Christian Funerals
Reception of the body: greeting, sprinkling with holy water, placing of the pall
Entrance hymn: "On Eagle's Wings"
Opening prayer
Liturgy of the Word
First reading: Wisdom 3:1-9, read by Anne Kowalski
Responsorial psalm: Psalm 23
Second reading: Romans 6:3-9, read by Peter Kowalski
Gospel acclamation
Gospel: John 14:1-6
Homily, Rev. Thomas Brennan
Universal prayer (prayer of the faithful)
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Presentation of the gifts, by the grandchildren
Eucharistic prayer, the Lord's Prayer, sign of peace
Holy Communion
Prayer after Communion
Words of remembrance, Maria Kowalski, daughter
Final commendation and song of farewell
Procession: "In Paradisum"
Rite of committal: Holy Cross Cemetery
Graveside service
Short service held at the cemetery
Gathering at the graveside
Words of welcome, Pastor Ruth Allen
Scripture: John 11:25-26
Prayer
Remembrances from family
Poem: "Crossing the Bar" by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, read by Emily Grant
Words of committal
The Lord's Prayer
Benediction
Military honors: folding and presentation of the flag, Taps
Family and friends are invited to place a flower on the casket.
Lunch follows at Grace Fellowship Hall, 214 Main Street.
Sample back page
Reading, acknowledgement and details
Psalm 23 (printed in full)
Acknowledgement
The family of Margaret Ann Collins thanks you for your prayers, cards, flowers, meals and every kindness shown to us. Your love and support have carried us through these days. Please keep us in your prayers.
Interment: Oakwood Cemetery
Repast: Fellowship Hall, following the burial
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that gifts be made to Hospice of the Valley.
Scan to visit Margaret's memorial and share a memory.
The Catholic funeral Mass program
A Catholic funeral program follows the order of the Mass, so most of its structure is set. The family's choices are the readings, the music and who takes each part.
The Catholic funeral rites have three parts: the vigil (often held at the funeral home the evening before, sometimes with a rosary), the funeral Mass, and the rite of committal at the cemetery. The program usually covers the Mass and gives the committal location on the back.
Families choose the first reading, the responsorial psalm, the second reading and usually the Gospel from the approved list in the Lectionary; the parish will give you the options. List the readers (lectors), the gift bearers, the pallbearers and the musicians by name. The priest who says the Mass is listed as the celebrant.
A full eulogy is not part of the Mass. Many parishes allow one short word of remembrance by a family member after Communion, before the final commendation, and some ask that longer tributes be given at the vigil or the reception. Ask the parish before you print.
Catholic funeral prayer cards with a saint or a prayer on the back are often handed out with the program. A Mass card is different: it comes from a parish or religious order and says a Mass will be offered for the person, so it is not something a family prints.
Funeral program format and size
The standard US funeral program is one Letter sheet folded in half. Larger formats need a print shop.
| Format | Flat sheet | Finished size | Pages | Where to print |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Letter bifold | 8.5 x 11 in | 5.5 x 8.5 in | 4 | Home printer or print shop |
| Letter trifold | 8.5 x 11 in | About 3.7 x 8.5 in | 6 panels | Home printer or print shop |
| Tabloid bifold | 11 x 17 in | 8.5 x 11 in | 4 | Print shop |
| Stapled booklet | Nested sheets | 5.5 x 8.5 or 8.5 x 11 in | 8, 12 or 16 | Print shop |
This template makes the Letter bifold. An "Exact size" option lays each page out at 5.5 x 8.5 in for a print shop instead.
Funeral program paper
Heavier paper feels more like a keepsake, but it has to go through your printer twice and fold cleanly.
| Paper | Weight | Good for | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copy paper | 20 lb (75 gsm) | Test prints | Thin; photos can show through. |
| Premium text paper | 24 to 32 lb (90 to 120 gsm) | Most home-printed programs | Runs two-sided in most printers and folds cleanly. |
| Brochure paper, matte or gloss | About 150 to 180 gsm | Photo-heavy programs | Coated on both sides. Buy the inkjet or laser version to match your printer. |
| Light cardstock | 65 lb cover (about 176 gsm) | Print shop covers | Can jam in two-sided home printing and crack at the fold unless it is scored. |
| Print shop program stock | 80 to 100 lb text | Counter orders | Ask for a scored fold on the heavier weights. |
Readings and poems for a funeral program
The back page usually carries one reading. These are the ones families choose most often, and all of them are in the template's library.
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 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.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, King James Version. 158 words, best on a program page.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
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.
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.
Crossing the Bar
Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1889). 102 words, best on a program page.
Sunset and evening star, And one clear call for me! And may there be no moaning of the bar, When I put out to sea, But such a tide as moving seems asleep, Too full for sound and foam, When that which drew from out the boundless deep Turns again home. Twilight and evening bell, And after that the dark! And may there be no sadness of farewell, When I embark; For tho' from out our bourne of Time and Place The flood may bear me far, I hope to see my Pilot face to face When I have crost the bar.
Death Is Nothing at All
Henry Scott Holland, from a sermon at St Paul's Cathedral (1910). 228 words, best on a program page.
Death is nothing at all. It does not count. I have only slipped away into the next room. Nothing has happened. Everything remains exactly as it was. I am I, and you are you, and the old life that we lived so fondly together is untouched, unchanged. Whatever we were to each other, that we are still. Call me by the old familiar name. Speak of me in the easy way which you always used. Put no difference into your tone. Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes that we enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without an effort, without the ghost of a shadow upon it. Life means all that it ever meant. It is the same as it ever was. There is absolute and unbroken continuity. What is this death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am but waiting for you, for an interval, somewhere very near, just round the corner. All is well. Nothing is hurt; nothing is lost. One brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!
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.
How to print funeral programs at home
A printable funeral program is printed on both sides and folded, and that is the part that goes wrong most often at home. This order avoids wasted paper.
Print one test copy
Print a single copy on plain paper, fold it and read it in order. Check that the cover is on the outside and that the back page is upright.
Set the print dialog
Choose US Letter, landscape, actual size or 100 percent (not "fit to page"), and two-sided printing that flips on the short edge. If page 3 prints upside down, you chose the long edge. With no two-sided option, print side one, put the stack back in the tray, and print side two.
Print in small batches
Print 20 to 25 at a time and let inkjet pages dry for a few minutes before stacking, so photos do not smudge.
Fold and crease
Fold each sheet in half with the cover facing out. Line up the corners, then run a ruler or the back of a spoon along the fold. Score heavier paper before folding.
How many funeral programs to print, and when
Print one program for each guest you expect, then add 10 to 20 percent. The extras go to late arrivals, to family who want several, and to relatives who could not come. If the funeral home or church can tell you how many people a room seats, use that as a ceiling. For a service where you expect about 100 people, 110 to 120 programs is a safe number.
Have the text final two days before the service. That leaves a day to print and fold at home, or to send the PDF to a print shop. Many FedEx Office, Staples and local print counters can print and fold programs the same day, but call ahead, because folding is sometimes extra and busy counters fill up. At a print counter, 100 bifold programs cost about $75 to $175 depending on the paper.
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.
- Celebration of life programA relaxed order of events for a personal gathering.
- Prayer cardsWallet-size cards with a photo and a prayer, 6 to a sheet.
- 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
How do you format a funeral program?
Most funeral programs are one US Letter sheet, printed on both sides and folded to 5.5 x 8.5 in, giving four pages. The cover has the name, photo, dates and service details; the inside has the order of service and the life story; the back has a reading and a thank-you from the family.
What should be included in a funeral program?
Include the full name, dates of birth and death, a photo, the service date, time and place, the order of service with the names of everyone taking part, a short life story, and a reading. Most families add an acknowledgement, the burial and reception details, and any in lieu of flowers request on the back.
What is the typical order of service for a funeral?
A typical Christian funeral order of service is prelude, processional, hymn, opening prayer, scripture readings, obituary, eulogy or remembrances, sermon, closing prayer and benediction, then the recessional. A Catholic funeral Mass follows the order of the Mass instead, and a graveside service is shorter.
Where can I find a free funeral program template?
The Lovekept funeral program template on this page is free with a Lovekept account, and there is no watermark. You fill it in in your browser, print it at home, or save it as a PDF from the print dialog on a computer. The same details fill the other funeral stationery in a matching design.
Is there a funeral program template for Word or Google Docs?
Word and Google Docs have general brochure layouts you can adapt, but getting four pages to print and fold in the right order takes some work. This template has no Word file: it works in your browser and saves a PDF, which any print shop accepts.
Can I print a funeral program at home?
Yes. Any home printer that takes US Letter paper can print a bifold program. Print two-sided, flip on the short edge, then fold each sheet in half; if your printer is one-sided, print the first side, reload the stack and print the second.
What kind of paper should I print a funeral program on?
For home printing, a 24 to 32 lb premium text paper or a matte brochure paper made for your printer type works well. Heavier cardstock can jam when printing two-sided and may crack at the fold.
How many programs should I print for a funeral?
Print one per expected guest plus 10 to 20 percent. For about 100 guests, 110 to 120 programs covers late arrivals and family who want extra copies.
What size is a funeral program?
The most common funeral program size is 5.5 x 8.5 in, made by folding a US Letter sheet in half. Larger programs fold an 11 x 17 in sheet to 8.5 x 11 in and are usually printed by a print shop.
What is the paper they give at funerals called?
It is usually called a funeral program. It is also called a funeral pamphlet, funeral bulletin, memorial folder, or an order of service, which is the common name in the UK.
How much does it cost to print funeral programs?
At a print counter, 100 folded bifold programs cost about $75 to $175 depending on the paper. Printing at home costs only paper and ink.
What are common funeral program mistakes?
The most common mistakes are a misspelled name, a wrong date or service time, and a photo that prints blurry. Have two people read every page, use the largest photo file you have, and print one test copy before printing the full stack.
Make the program now, print it tonight
Your details stay saved to your account, and the same details fill a matching obituary page, prayer card, service card, thank you card and invitation.