Helpful funeral stationery guide
What to include in a funeral order of service
A funeral order of service booklet helps family, friends and other guests follow a ceremony and provides a keepsake of someone’s life. There is no single correct format: choose the words, photographs and structure that feel right for your family and the service.
1. The front cover
The cover often includes the person’s full name, a photograph, their birth and death dates, and a heading such as “In Loving Memory” or “A Celebration of Life”. You may also include the date, time and location of the ceremony.
2. The order of the ceremony
Write the sequence in which things will happen. Ask the celebrant, minister or funeral director to confirm the final running order before printing.
Example order of service
- Entrance music
- Welcome and opening words
- Reading or poem
- Tribute or eulogy
- Hymn, song or reflection
- Committal or farewell
- Closing music
Use this only as a starting point. A religious ceremony, humanist celebration or informal gathering may follow a different order.
3. Readings, poems and hymns
Depending on the ceremony, you may include complete readings or simply their titles and who will read them. Check that the wording and spelling are correct. If you plan to reproduce published song lyrics, poems or other copyrighted material, make sure you have permission or any required licence.
4. Photographs and personal memories
Choose a clear portrait for the cover and, if space allows, additional family photographs on the inside pages. Short messages from loved ones, a favourite quotation or a few memories can make the booklet feel more personal. Original high-resolution photographs generally print better than screenshots.
5. The back cover
The final page is often used for a thank-you message, information about a reception or gathering, and details of a chosen charity or memorial donation. Include only details the family wishes to share publicly.
How many pages should a funeral booklet have?
4 pages: a simple folded A5 booklet for a short running order and a brief personal message.
8 pages: more space for readings, hymns and extra photographs.
12 or 16 pages: useful when the ceremony includes several contributions or when you want a longer photo tribute.
A four-page booklet has a front cover, two inside pages and a back cover. Longer booklets add pages in multiples of four, making it easier to arrange content for printing.
Choosing a calm design
Soft watercolour flowers, nature scenes and lightly faded illustrations can help create a gentle backdrop. Keep the important words easy to read, and consider leaving some pages completely white if they contain longer passages or detailed photographs.
Proofreading before printing
Check the spelling of every name, the dates, venue address, service time and the sequence of the programme. Ask another family member to review the finished proof if possible. Funeral stationery is meaningful, and a second check can prevent painful mistakes.