Funeral Program Templates

Tips to get you started on designing, printing & promoting your Funeral Brochures

How do you make a funeral program?

When creating a funeral program, your first concern is always to make sure your design choices are respectful and honoring of the deceased and their loved ones. Begin by gathering the different pieces of your program, including photos, the order of service and the names of those participating (along with their relationship to the one being remembered), and a well-written and thoughtful tribute or obituary (for more, check out our answer to “How to write a funeral program?”). Then, look through our funeral program templates to find one that is fitting. Using the tools in our online editor, upload your high-quality photos and replace the sample text with your own (Name of the person being remembered, birth and death dates, order of service and participants, and tribute or obituary). Include any notes of thanks from the family or directions to a graveside service. Apply a color scheme and font that align with the desires of the family and doesn’t distract from their loss. Proofread diligently, then you’re ready to print.

Looking for more help? We also wrote about this topic more in our article 5 Thoughtful Funeral Program Ideas to Honor a Loved One

What should be included in a funeral program?

As you consider how to lay out your funeral program, you should plan to include the full name (including maiden name) of the deceased, the dates and locations of their birth and death, the funeral service and burial time, date, and place, the name of the officiant and pallbearers, the names of surviving family members, and an order of service that includes the full name of the person delivering the eulogy and gives credit (titles, artist/author, etc.) for any songs, readings, or poems being performed or delivered. As space allows, you can also include photos of the one being celebrated at different stages of their life, a thoughtfully-written biography (writing tips here), and their favorite songs, foods, books, hobbies, and any other details that made them unique. If their career was a major part of their life, you can share the dates and places of their employment, and if they loved their pets like family, consider including the names and photos of their non-human loved ones. Share any post-service reception details and words of gratitude from the family. Finally, if he or she had a life motto or verse, give it the status it deserves. The overall goal of your funeral program should be to honor the life the deceased led and to help their family remember and celebrate them, so your inclusions should line up with that.

What size should funeral program be?

There is no set standard or rule for the size of a funeral program. We have found that our 8.5” x 11” bi-fold funeral program templates provide ample room for sharing service details, photos, and a brief eulogy or obituary. However, if you prefer something with more folds, you can always browse our tri-fold brochure templates to find one that could be transformed into a fitting memorial for the one whose life is being celebrated. 

How to write a funeral program?

Writing a funeral program is a terrible privilege. You are tasked with putting into words the entire life of one person while their loved ones grieve their loss. Before beginning, take the time to get to know the deceased - who they were, how they lived, who/what they loved. Make it your ambition to create a funeral program that celebrates and memorializes them with honor. Include anecdotes that carry great meaning for those who loved them, allowing them to be remembered with joy. Use the pages of the program to share the details of the service and those participating with care, as they are the people who meant so much to the one who has passed away. Pen the words of his or her biography as though you were writing the story of someone you loved. Take great care to get each date, name, and relationship right and to ensure no one is overlooked. Many will hold on to the funeral program for years to come and be reminded of the one they cared so deeply for - your work will help them to grieve and move forward - a terrible privilege.

How to print a funeral program?

Once you’ve finished designing your funeral program, choose the “Print/Download” option and follow the prompts or go directly to our Brochure Printing page. Select your page size, folding style, quantity, and paper type. Enter your delivery options and submit your order. We’ll deliver your funeral programs right to your door and guarantee your satisfaction. Or, you can always download a high-quality PDF and print your programs anywhere you like!