Creating a funeral order of service is a heartfelt and meaningful task, providing a chance to pay tribute to and celebrate the life of a loved one. Whether you’re planning a traditional religious ceremony, a joyful celebration of life, or something entirely unique, our carefully created funeral order of service examples can help you create a lasting keepsake that reflects the heart of the person being remembered.
With over 24 years of expertise in funeral order of service printing and memorial materials, I’ve had the honour of assisting thousands of families in the UK in creating really customized and meaningful tributes. I’m here to make the process as easy and comforting as I can because I know how crucial it is to get everything just perfect.
What is the information required to create a funeral order of service?
To design a thoughtful and respectful order of service, gather the following details:
Name of the deceased: Include their full name.
Dates of Life: Their date of birth and the date they passed away.
Funeral Location: The name and address of the venue (if known).
Date & Time of the Funeral: Specify the date and time for attendees.
Music Choices:
- Entrance Music: The piece played as guests enter.
- Exit Music: The closing piece as guests leave.
Poems or Readings: Any texts that will be shared during the service.
Photos: Select cherished photographs of the departed.
Acknowledgments and Donations:
- Messages of gratitude from the family.
- Details of any charity the family wishes to support in memory of the deceased.
The details provided serve as a reference, offering flexibility in customizing each order of service according to individual preferences. Customization options range from adjusting the amount of information to incorporating additional photos, using specific illustrations, objects, and themes. Take a moment to explore the following examples of order of service for funeral, which aim to inspire and assist you in determining the elements you wish to include to honour your loved one.
What should you include in a funeral program order of service?
Front Page:
The cover of the booklet should display a photo of the departed individual, along with their name and dates of life (date of birth and date of death). Typically, essential details of the funeral service, such as the location, date, and time, are included on this page.
Inside Pages:
Inside the booklet, you can add a detailed outline of the funeral service, known as the service programme. This includes elements such as entrance music, welcoming addresses, readings, poems, or prayers (attributed to their speakers), musical selections, the committal and blessing, and concluding music. Additionally, there’s room for cherished memories through textual entries and photographs, making it a poignant memento for attendees.
Back Page:
The concluding page of the booklet features a gratitude message from the family along with details about the chosen charity for donations. Information regarding any subsequent gatherings, like a wake, is also provided. Optionally, you can also add a photograph to the back cover.
By thoughtfully organizing and personalizing the order of service, you create a lasting tribute that both honours your loved one and provides comfort to those in attendance.
Some of our funeral order of service examples collection are as follows:
1. Traditional Christian Funeral Example
Includes:
- Prelude music
- Welcome and opening prayer
- Hymns (e.g., The Lord is My Shepherd, Abide With Me)
- Bible readings (Psalm 23, John 14:1–3)
- Eulogy
- The Lord’s Prayer
- Committal and closing blessing
Ideal design elements: A cross, white lilies, and soft pastel tones.
2. Celebration of Life – Modern Example
A non-religious service focused on joy and memory:
- Personal tributes and storytelling
- A playlist of the loved one’s favourite music
- Photo collage pages
- Quote or poem (e.g., “She lived life in full bloom”)
- Optional memory table or symbolic gestures
Design tip: Use vibrant colours, hobby-themed imagery, or even pets and travel backgrounds.
Explore Celebration of Life Templates
3. Hobby Themed Funeral Order of Service Examples
Personalize the order of service to reflect your loved one’s passions with thoughtful, themed designs:
- Celebrate a music lover’s life with favourite lyrics, song titles, and musical notes in the design.
- Honour a gardener with floral illustrations, nature quotes, and seed packet keepsakes.
- Reflect a crochet enthusiast’s passion through yarn-inspired patterns and craft motifs.
- Remember a sports fan with team colours, sporting icons, and match-day memories.
I’ve learned that every life is deserving of being honoured with dignity, love, and care. Funeral orders of service are more than just a program; they are a legacy, a memory, and a moment of connection.
Whether you need help getting started or want full design and printing support, I’m here for you.
