Free funeral program maker — beautiful programs in minutes.

Funeral Program Examples — Real Layouts You Can Use

Every family is different, and so is every program. Below are six common formats — from a four-panel bi-fold for a short funeral, to a full booklet for a long, full life. Each example shows what a real program looks like at the size it’ll be printed.

The bi-fold is the most common: a single sheet of paper folded once, with a photo and dates on the cover, the order of service inside, and the obituary or acknowledgment on the back. It works for almost every funeral or memorial service. The tri-fold gives more room for hymns and readings. The booklet — usually four to eight pages — is for a longer service, multiple speakers, or a family who wants a true keepsake.

Free Funeral Program Templates — Word & PDF Downloads

Ten free, editable funeral program templates covering every common service type — bi-fold programs, tri-fold orders of service, celebration-of-life booklets, Catholic Mass programs, memorial bulletins, funeral pamphlets, announcements, brochures, single-page flyers, and full memorial booklets. Download as a Microsoft Word (.docx) file to edit in Word, Google Docs, or Pages — or grab the print-ready PDF.

Each template uses the same dignified typography as our generator and is set up for US Letter paper with the correct fold marks. Download, edit the placeholder text, add your photo, and print at home or at any local print shop.

All templates are free, editable, and require no signup. They’re intended as a starting point — replace the placeholder text with your loved one’s details, then print on cardstock at home or take the file to Staples, FedEx Office, or any local print shop.

How to Make a Funeral Program — Step-by-Step Guide

A funeral program (also known as a pamphlet, brochure, or order of service) follows a predictable structure — once you know the parts, you can build one quickly even under the pressure of a recent loss.

Making a funeral program is more straightforward than it looks. Most families finish in fifteen to twenty minutes once they have the basic information in front of them: full name, dates, photo, the order of service, and a few personal touches. Use the generator above to build yours panel by panel, or follow the steps below to make one by hand.

1. Choose a layout

Bi-fold is the safe default — a single sheet folded once, four panels, perfect for most services. If the order of service runs long, or you want to include the full obituary, go with a tri-fold (six panels). For a longer ceremony with multiple speakers, photos, and hymns, choose the booklet.

2. Gather the essential information

Write down: full legal name (and nickname, if used), date of birth, date of death, photo (a high-resolution image at least 1200 by 1500 pixels), service type and date and time and location, the officiant’s name, and the order of service. Confirm spellings of every family member name with at least one other relative — this is the most common source of errors. Get the address of the church or funeral home in writing.

3. Build the order of service

The traditional order is: welcome, opening prayer, scripture reading, hymn, eulogy, sharing of memories, hymn, closing prayer, recessional. Adjust to fit the faith tradition and family preference. Note who is performing each item — “Hymn — ‘Amazing Grace’ — Congregation” or “Eulogy — Sarah Henderson, daughter.” The generator above handles the formatting; you focus on the order.

4. Add personal touches

A favorite scripture verse on the back panel. A short paragraph about a hobby or quirk that everyone will recognize. A note from the family thanking everyone for being there. These are the things that make a program feel like a person, not a template.

5. Print and distribute

Print one proof copy first, on regular paper. Fold it. Read it. Check every name and date. Then print your full quantity on cardstock — at home, at Staples or FedEx Office, or through an online print service. Plan for 1.5× the expected attendance.

How long should a funeral program be?

Most funeral programs are four to eight panels — short enough to read during the service, long enough to feel substantial. A bi-fold (4 panels) fits about 250 to 400 words. A tri-fold (6 panels) fits about 600 words. A booklet has no real upper limit.

Funeral Pamphlet, Funeral Program, Order of Service — What’s the Difference?

These terms are often used interchangeably, but each has subtle distinctions in different traditions, regions, and faith communities. Understanding the differences helps you communicate clearly with your funeral director, printer, or family — and pick the right format for the service you’re planning.

• Funeral program — the most common American term; usually 4 panels (bi-fold) with the order of service.
• Funeral pamphlet — same document as a program; more common in some Southern and African-American traditions.
• Funeral brochure — same document; more common in marketing and print-shop language, often tri-fold.
• Funeral booklet — typically multi-page, used for longer or more elaborate services.
• Memorial bulletin — same document but for a memorial service (no body present).
• Order of service — technically the listed schedule of events inside the program; sometimes used as the name for the whole document.
• Memorial service program — used when the service is a memorial rather than a traditional funeral.
• Funeral announcement — a shorter handout (often a single sheet) used when the service date isn’t finalized.

Whatever you call it, our maker creates the same beautiful printed handout — fully customized to honor your loved one.

Funeral Program Layouts — Bi-fold, Tri-fold, Booklet

The three most common funeral program layouts each suit a different kind of service. Pick the one that matches the length of the ceremony and the amount of content you want to include.

What to Include in a Funeral Program

A funeral program has six standard sections. Some families include all six, some include only three or four — the right choice depends on the length of the service and how much you want to share publicly.

Front cover

Photo (centered, dignified), full name in serif type, sunrise–sunset dates with an em-dash between them, and the date and place of the service. That’s it. Resist the urge to add anything else here — the cover should feel calm.

Order of service

The complete sequence of the ceremony, in order, with the name of the person leading or performing each item where appropriate. Use small caps or italics for the type (Hymn, Reading), regular weight for the title.

Obituary or life story

A brief biographical paragraph — birthplace, education, career, family, hobbies, and a single line about character. Keep it to 200–300 words. If you want a longer obituary, link to it on a memorial website rather than printing it.

Pallbearers

List active pallbearers (usually six names) and honorary pallbearers separately. List by relationship if helpful — “Brother, Nephew, Cousin” — but it’s not required.

Acknowledgments

A short message from the family thanking everyone for their presence and support. Three to four sentences. Sign “The Family of [Full Name]” or list immediate family members by name.

Back cover

Reception details, donation requests in lieu of flowers, a favorite poem or scripture verse, or a final closing line. Keep it spare — the back is the last thing people read.

Funeral Program Wording — Examples & Tips

How to write the cover

Use a soft header — “In Loving Memory of” for traditional services, “Celebrating the Life of” for a celebration of life. Then full name on its own line, dates on the next, service type and date underneath. Some families add a single short line of scripture or a favorite quote between the name and the dates.

Order of service wording

Standard format is “Type — Title — Performer.” Examples: “Welcome — Pastor John Smith,” “Hymn — ‘Amazing Grace’ — Congregation,” “Eulogy — Sarah Henderson, daughter,” “Closing Prayer — Pastor John Smith.” Keep it consistent throughout — pick one style and use it for every item.

Acknowledgments

The family wishes to express their deepest gratitude for every kind word, prayer, and act of love during this difficult time. Your presence today is a comfort we will not forget. — The Family of [Full Name]

Choosing scripture, poems, quotes

Common choices: Psalm 23 (“The Lord is my shepherd…”), Ecclesiastes 3:1–8 (“To everything there is a season…”), 1 Corinthians 13 (“Love is patient, love is kind…”), “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye, and “Death Is Nothing At All” by Henry Scott Holland. Pick something the deceased would have recognized — not just something that sounds beautiful.

Funeral Program Etiquette — Sensitive Situations

Multiple marriages

List the current or most recent spouse first, then list previous spouses by “Preceded in death by” if applicable, or simply omit. Don’t make the program a record of every relationship — keep the focus on the people present today.

Sudden death

If the loss was unexpected, the program tends to be shorter — there hasn’t been time to gather hymns, write a long obituary, or plan a complex service. That’s fine. A simple bi-fold with a photo, dates, brief order of service, and one line of acknowledgment is enough.

Including a beloved pet

Many families list a dog or cat under “Survived by” or in the obituary itself — “and her devoted golden retriever, Riley.” This is increasingly common and entirely appropriate.

Mixing religious and non-religious elements

You can include a scripture reading and a secular poem in the same service. Just choose carefully — one of each, not three of one and none of the other. The order of service can read “Reading — Mary Elizabeth Frye” right above “Scripture — Psalm 23” without contradiction.

Divided families

If there’s tension between branches of the family, the program is not the place to settle it. List everyone factually under “Survived by,” in birth order or relationship order. Don’t omit anyone who should be acknowledged — the absence will be noticed.

How Much Does It Cost to Print a Funeral Program?

Printing costs vary widely depending on quantity, paper, and where you print. Here’s what to expect for a typical 50–150 program order.

Frequently Asked Questions

Related Resources

This tool generates a print-ready starting point. Please review every detail — names, dates, service times, scripture references — with family before printing. Print a single proof copy first to check formatting before printing the full quantity.