How to Create a Funeral Order of Service

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Arrange an order of service that celebrates your loved one’s life
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Planning a funeral is never easy. But when the day finally arrives, having an order of service can make the experience easier to bear. A funeral order of service—also known as a funeral program—is a must-have for guests and family members alike. This article explains what an order of service is, what it contains, and how to create one for an upcoming funeral, complete with examples. Keep reading to learn how to create an order of service to honor a loved one who has passed away.

Things You Should Know

  • An order of service is a schedule of events taking place at a funeral. Speeches, prayers, and other events are listed in the order they’ll occur in.
  • The funeral order of service is usually printed as a booklet. It also includes photos of the deceased, the time and date of services, and other information.
  • Have the funeral home prepare the order of service for you, or create one yourself using Adobe Photoshop or a graphic design website like Canva.
Section 1 of 4:

What is a funeral order of service?

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  1. An order of service is a schedule of events taking place at a funeral.
    It’s usually printed in a booklet and given to guests when they arrive at the funeral. Key events like prayers, songs, tributes, and eulogies are listed in the order that they’ll occur. This informs guests of what to expect during the service.[1]
    • An order of service usually features photos, prayers, poems, or quotes, along with the schedule of events. It may be printed as a booklet, pamphlet, or card.
    • An order is service is also known as a funeral program, funeral bulletin, memorial folder, or funeral pamphlet.[2]
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Section 2 of 4:

What do you include in an order of service?

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  1. Step 1 A cover with the name and photo of the deceased.
    The photo usually shows the deceased smiling or visibly happy. Their full name is included, along with their dates of birth and death. This information might be presented with other text such as “In loving memory”.[3]
    • For instance, the text might read “In loving memory of Maria Smith” or “Celebrating the life of Antonio Sanchez”.
  2. Step 2 The time, date, and location of the funeral service.
    This is usually printed on the cover. The address or name of the funeral home may be shown. In some cases, extra information is included, such as the time of the burial or cremation ceremony.[4]
    • For example: “Mass at St. Nicholas of Tolentine Church on Wednesday, June 3rd, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. Burial at 11:30 p.m. at Old Saint Raymond's Cemetery.”
  3. Step 3 A list of speeches, prayers, readings, music, and other events.
    Each event is listed alongside the name of the person presenting. For instance, the first event might be listed as “Welcome & Introduction - Michael Mazzetti”. The second might be “Prayer - Fr. Donald Robinson”, and so on. The events are listed in the order they will occur.[5]
    • The presenters’ relationships to the deceased may also be included next to their names: “Welcome & Introduction - Michael Mazzetti (nephew)”.
  4. Step 4 Text from any prayers, readings, and music being performed.
    Guests can use these texts to follow along. They could also refer to the lyrics while singing and chanting during musical performances.[6]
    • If a eulogy is given, the full text (or an excerpt) might be included as well.
  5. Step 5 Quotes, poems, lyrics, or bits of scripture.
    If the deceased was a devout Catholic, the order of service could feature a snippet from their favorite bible passage. Or, if they were a music fan, it could include lyrics from a song they used to enjoy.[7]
    • The family of the deceased may also include quotes and favorite memories with their loved one.
  6. Step 6 Extra photos of the deceased.
    Photos from different parts of their life—childhood, adolescence, their wedding day, their last vacation, and so on—can convey a loving story of the person who died. There could also be photos featuring other family members, a spouse, pets, or other important figures from their life.
    • Extra graphics like flowers, religious symbols, and artwork could be added as well.
  7. Step 7 An optional thank you message for the back cover.
    Include a brief message like, “On behalf of Michael and the entire Smith family, we wish to express our deepest appreciation for your love and support.” Or choose to leave the back cover blank, if you prefer.
    • If you’re collecting donations for charity in honor of the deceased, mention the charity and provide instructions on how to donate.
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Section 3 of 4:

Best Ways to Make a Funeral Order of Service

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  1. Step 1 Have the funeral home plan and print the order of service for you.
    Contact the funeral director to discuss the events that will take place that day. Provide them with information and media, including photos of your loved one, along with a list of prayers, music, and the names of people who will give formal speeches or tributes.[8]
    • They may present you with different templates and styles to choose from.[9]
    • The funeral home will arrange to have the order of service printed and ready in time for the funeral.
  2. Step 2 Use a graphic design website to make the order of service.
    Search for funeral program templates on Canva.com or a similar site. Choose a template, then upload a photo of your loved one and replace the text on the template with your own text, such as a schedule of events. When finished, order prints of your design to be shipped directly to you or the funeral home.
    • Note the shipping options when ordering your prints. If possible, choose a fast shipping method that will get the prints delivered to you prior to the date of the funeral.
    • The exact cost of your prints can vary depending on the website, template, size of your prints, cardstock they’re printed on, shipping method, and other factors.
  3. Step 3 Design and print the order of service yourself.
    Use software like Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop to create a one-of-a-kind design. Search online for inspiration, then create the order of service using your own images, graphics, and custom artwork. Be sure to include an image of the deceased on the front cover. Use a service like FedEx Printing to print enough copies for the funeral guests.[10]
    • This option might be time-consuming. For a quicker solution, opt for a design from Canva or a similar platform.
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Section 4 of 4:

Example Orders of Service

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  1. Step 1 Religious Order of Service:
    Welcome & Introduction……………………………Maria SmithOpening Prayers……………………………………Pastor MillerReading of Revelation 21:1-7………………………Janice EvansSinging of “The Old Rugged Cross”………………Michael EvansRemarks…………………………………………Friends & FamilyEulogy…………………………………………………Maria SmithSinging of “Amazing Grace”………………Michael Evans & Choir
  2. Step 2 Secular Order of Service:
    Welcome & Introduction……………………………Thomas DavisOpening Remarks…………………………………Anne MillerReading of “And Still I Rise”………………………Emily DavisSinging of “True Love Leaves No Traces”………Andrea GonzaloTributes…………………………………………Friends & FamilyEulogy…………………………………………………Thomas Evans
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What should I talk about when asked to speak at a funeral?
    David I. Jacobson
    David I. Jacobson
    Funeral Home Director
    David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an independent Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into two funeral homes in the Chicagoland area. With over 30 years of experience serving families, David is a leading expert on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an active funeral director that serves people planning and in need of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively about the values of the Jewish funeral as well as the dying process and the value of one’s legacy. 
    David I. Jacobson
    David I. Jacobson
    Funeral Home Director
    Expert Answer
    Focus on honoring the person who passed away and provide comfort to their loved ones. Acknowledge the significance of the occasion and express your condolences to the family and friends. Share who you are and your relationship with the deceased. Talk about the person’s life and their impact on yours. Highlight qualities that made them unique, their passions, and memorable moments you shared with them. Be authentic—if your relationship was complicated, acknowledge it gently and focus on the positive lessons or growth that came from it. Mention how they affected your life and others. Did they inspire, teach, or care for you in meaningful ways? Then offer some words of comfort and gratitude. Remind everyone of the lasting legacy this person is leaving behind through their influence, love, and memories.
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References

  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/0QLVtqemS3I?t=31
  2. ↑ https://youtu.be/0QLVtqemS3I?t=16
  3. ↑ https://funeralorderofservice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Funeral-Order-Of-Service-Examples.pdf
  4. ↑ https://funeralorderofservice.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Funeral-Order-Of-Service-Examples.pdf
  5. ↑ https://youtu.be/_Pcu_8g3690?t=37
  6. ↑ https://youtu.be/_Pcu_8g3690?t=46
  7. ↑ https://youtu.be/_Pcu_8g3690?t=48
  8. ↑ https://youtu.be/_Pcu_8g3690?t=38
  9. ↑ https://youtu.be/6TRTanUM01s?t=27
  1. ↑ https://youtu.be/yYha_c3KGjE?t=44

About This Article

David I. Jacobson
Co-authored by:
David I. Jacobson
Funeral Home Director
This article was co-authored by David I. Jacobson and by wikiHow staff writer, Johnathan Fuentes. David I. Jacobson is the founder of Chicago Jewish Funerals, an independent Jewish owned funeral provider that evolved into two funeral homes in the Chicagoland area. With over 30 years of experience serving families, David is a leading expert on Kavod Hamet, the Jewish traditions of honoring and respecting the dead. David is an active funeral director that serves people planning and in need of funerals, lecturing to congregations, community groups, and schools extensively about the values of the Jewish funeral as well as the dying process and the value of one’s legacy.  This article has been viewed 10,839 times.
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Co-authors: 3
Updated: January 4, 2025
Views: 10,839
Categories: Funerals
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