Funeral program examples

Each example below shows the four pages as they print, then the full wording. Open “Read every word of this program” to see the text you can copy. To use one, open its design, then change the names, the order of service and the life story to your own. If you aren’t sure what each page is for, funeral program: what it includes explains the layout.

Traditional Christian service

Eleanor Brooks’s program follows a common Protestant order: a hymn, an Old Testament reading and a New Testament reading, then a eulogy by her son and time for others to share memories. Each line names who leads that part, so the family members who read can see their place in the service and guests know who is speaking. The back page keeps the practical details together: a poem, an invitation to lunch in the fellowship hall and a library for donations. Families planning a church service led by a pastor can use this order almost unchanged.

Catholic funeral Mass

Maria Elena Ruiz’s program is titled “Mass of Christian Burial” and lists the parts of the Mass in order, from the entrance hymn through the readings, the homily and the final commendation. The priest reads the Gospel, and family members take the first and second readings. There is no eulogy in the order, which matches what many parishes ask; words of remembrance often happen at the vigil or the reception. Ask the parish which readings and music they allow before you print, and see the Catholic funeral program template for more Mass layouts.

Non-religious memorial

Robert Okafor’s memorial in a community hall has no hymns, prayers or scripture. His family titled it “Order of the afternoon” and filled it with music from his brother, a talk from his son, a word from his soccer coach, a slideshow and an open microphone, with everyone singing “Lean on Me” at the end. The one reading, Tennyson’s “Crossing the Bar”, is also on the back page, and its last lines mention meeting a “Pilot”, which many people read as God. For a fully secular program, swap it for a poem such as Masefield’s “Sea Fever” or another from the funeral poems page. This layout also suits a memorial service program.

Celebration of life

Linda Hartman’s celebration of life is in a barn, with “Here Comes the Sun” on guitar, a song everyone sings together, a slideshow made by the grandchildren and supper afterward. A pastor still welcomes guests and her daughter reads from Ecclesiastes, so it suits a family that wants a lighter gathering without leaving faith out. Her husband has the closing words, which gives the end of the program a personal note. For a celebration by the water with a closing toast, the Coastal design shows another version, and the celebration of life program templates have more.

Veteran

Robert Hayes’s cover gives his rank and branch, “Sergeant First Class · U.S. Army, Retired”, under his name. The order includes the posting of the colors by the VFW honor guard, the Navy hymn “Eternal Father, Strong to Save”, words from a fellow soldier, and the military honors spelled out: rifle volley, Taps and the presentation of the flag to his wife. Listing the honors tells guests what to expect, so the rifle volley doesn’t take anyone by surprise. Check the rank, branch and dates of service against the discharge papers, and see the military funeral program template for more designs.

A simple, short program

Judith Patterson’s chapel service has one reading, one remembrance by her son, two hymns and time for memories, which likely runs about half an hour. Her life story is three short paragraphs, so the page has room to keep the type large enough for older guests to read. A short program like this is quicker to write and proofread, which helps when the service is only a day or two away or the gathering is small.

Making your own from an example

Start with the order of service, because it depends on other people. Ask the officiant for their order, then confirm each reader, speaker and musician before you put their name in print. While you wait to hear back, write the life story; if you already have an obituary, trim it to fit the page. The back page comes last, since the reception address and donation details often aren’t settled until a day or two before.

Every design here is free to edit and download, with no sign-up and no watermark. When you are done, print one copy double-sided, fold it, and read it through with someone else before you print the rest.