A funeral order of service is one of the most personal and lasting things you can create to honour someone you love. Long after the service is over, many families keep their copies tucked inside books, pinned to noticeboards, or pressed into memory boxes. Getting it right matters — not just practically, but emotionally.
This guide walks you through everything you need to know: what to include, how to design it, when to get it printed, and how to adapt it for religious and non-religious services alike. If you're feeling overwhelmed, your NAFD-accredited funeral director can help guide you through the process — many have relationships with local printers and can coordinate the order of service on your behalf.
What Is a Funeral Order of Service?
A funeral order of service (sometimes called a funeral programme) is a printed or digital document handed to guests as they arrive at a funeral or memorial service. It acts as both a guide for the proceedings and a keepsake for those who attend.
Think of it as the running order of the service, combined with a tribute to the person who has died. It tells people when to stand, when to sing, and who is speaking — but it also carries photographs, poems, and words that capture something of who that person was.
What to Include in a Funeral Order of Service
There is no single correct format, but most orders of service include a combination of the following elements. Your funeral director or celebrant can advise on what works best for the type of service you're planning.
Cover Page
- A photograph — usually the most cherished image of the person. Choose one that feels true to who they were: a holiday snap, a portrait, or a candid moment.
- Full name — including any nickname they were commonly known by
- Birth and death dates — e.g. 15th March 1942 – 4th January 2026
- Date, time, and location of the service (optional on the cover, but useful)
Inside Pages — The Running Order
The interior of the order of service should follow the actual sequence of the service. A typical structure might include:
- Welcome and introduction (by the officiant, celebrant, or minister)
- Opening hymn or piece of music
- Reading or poem
- Eulogy or tribute
- Second hymn or piece of music
- Prayers (for religious services) or a moment of reflection
- Committal
- Closing hymn or music
- Notices (e.g. wake location, charitable donations)
Hymns, Poems, and Readings
If guests are expected to sing along to hymns, include the full lyrics — don't assume everyone knows them. For poems and readings being read aloud, you may include the text in full or simply list the title and author. Popular choices in the UK include:
- Poems: Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep by Mary Elizabeth Frye; Remember by Christina Rossetti; If I Should Go by Joyce Grenfell
- Hymns: Abide with Me; The Lord's My Shepherd; Lord of All Hopefulness
- Readings: Psalm 23; John 14:1–6; 1 Corinthians 13
A Short Biography or Tribute
Many families choose to include a brief written tribute — a paragraph or two summarising the person's life, personality, and the things they loved. This doesn't need to be long; even a few warm sentences can be deeply meaningful for those attending.
Back Page
The back of the order of service often includes:
- A thank-you message from the family
- Details of any charitable collection or donation fund
- Information about the wake or reception
- A closing quote, prayer, or verse
Typical Structures: Religious vs Non-Religious Services
Religious (Church or Chapel) Service
A traditional Christian funeral typically follows a more formal structure guided by the minister or vicar. The order of service for a religious funeral usually includes:
- Processional music as the coffin enters
- Welcome and opening prayers
- Hymn (congregation standing)
- Bible reading
- Eulogy or tribute
- Second hymn
- Prayers of intercession
- Committal prayers
- Closing hymn
- Recessional music
For Catholic, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, or other faith traditions, the structure will differ significantly. Your funeral director or faith community leader will be able to advise on the appropriate format.
Non-Religious (Civil or Humanist) Service
Non-religious services — conducted by a civil or humanist celebrant — are increasingly common in the UK. According to Humanists UK, humanist and non-religious funeral ceremonies now account for a significant proportion of all UK funerals. These services are typically more personalised and flexible in structure:
- Welcome music
- Opening words from the celebrant
- Tribute or life story (often longer than in a religious service)
- Music or song
- Reading or poem chosen by the family
- Reflective music / slideshow
- Committal
- Closing words
- Recessional music
Because humanist services are built around the individual, the order of service can be highly personalised — incorporating favourite quotes, photographs, or even a short film.
Design Tips for a Beautiful Order of Service
You don't need to be a designer to create something beautiful. Here are some practical tips:
Keep It Simple
A clean, uncluttered design is usually more dignified and easier to read than something overly busy. Choose one or two colours that feel appropriate — soft greys, navy, cream, sage green, and burgundy are all popular choices. Avoid overly bright or jarring colour combinations.
Choose Readable Fonts
Use a serif or clean sans-serif font at a size of at least 11–12pt for the body text. Older guests — and anyone reading in a dimly lit venue — will thank you. Avoid decorative script fonts for anything other than headlines or names.
Standard Sizes
The most common format in the UK is an A5 booklet (created by folding an A4 sheet), though A4 flat sheets and small A6 cards are also used. An A5 booklet typically provides four pages — cover, two inside pages, and a back page — which is usually sufficient.
Use High-Quality Photographs
If you're including a photo, ensure it's a high-resolution image (at least 300dpi for print). A blurry or pixelated photograph will look poor in print. If you only have an older printed photograph, many high-street print shops and online services can scan and improve the quality.
Paper Quality
A heavier paper stock (120–160gsm) feels more substantial and premium than standard 80gsm printer paper. Many families choose a silk or satin finish, which gives a softer, more luxurious feel.
Printing Options: DIY vs Professional
Printing at Home (DIY)
For families on a tighter budget, printing at home is entirely feasible. You'll need:
- A colour printer capable of reasonable photo quality
- Heavier paper stock (available from supermarkets or stationery shops)
- A bone folder or ruler for clean folds
Free design tools such as Canva offer funeral order of service templates that can be customised online and downloaded as print-ready PDFs.
High-Street Print Shops
Most high-street print shops (including Instant Print, Snap Printing, and independent copy shops) can produce professional-quality A5 booklets at short notice. Expect to pay approximately £1–£3 per copy, depending on quantity, paper quality, and finish. Ordering 50–100 copies is typical for an average-sized funeral.
Online Print Services
Online printers such as Moo, Vistaprint, or Printed.com offer high-quality results, often at lower cost than high-street alternatives — but delivery times are a consideration. Always order with at least five working days to spare to allow for proofing and shipping.
Through Your Funeral Director
Many NAFD-accredited funeral directors offer order of service printing as part of their arrangement service, or can recommend a trusted local supplier. This can take considerable pressure off the family at an already difficult time. Ask your funeral director early in the arrangement process if this is something they can assist with.
Timeline: When to Get It Done
Timing is one of the most common sources of stress for families creating an order of service. Here's a practical timeline to follow:
- As soon as arrangements are confirmed: Gather content — photographs, hymn choices, poem selections, eulogy notes, and any readings.
- 5–6 days before the service: Finalise the design and have the draft reviewed by another family member or the officiant/celebrant.
- 3–4 days before: Send the final file to the printer, or place your online order.
- 1–2 days before: Collect printed copies; check for any errors.
- Day of the service: Appoint someone to hand them out to guests as they arrive.
Aim to have the final version signed off at least two to three days before the service. This gives you a buffer for any last-minute corrections or reprinting.
Digital Alternatives to Printed Orders of Service
While a printed order of service remains the tradition at most UK funerals, digital alternatives are becoming more common — particularly for memorial events held online or for families keen to reduce paper usage.
- Digital PDF: A PDF version can be emailed to guests in advance or shared via a WhatsApp group or family memorial website.
- Printed QR code: Some families print a simple card with a QR code that guests scan to access the full order of service on their phone.
- Memorial websites: Platforms such as MuchLoved or Ever Loved allow families to create a dedicated memorial page where the order of service, photographs, and tributes can be shared and preserved.
Digital options work well as a supplement to printed copies — particularly for guests watching a livestreamed service from home — rather than as a complete replacement.
Sample Funeral Order of Service Template
Below is a simple template you can adapt for your own use:
Cover:
[Photograph]
In Loving Memory of
[Full Name]
[Date of birth] – [Date of death]
Page 2:
Order of Service
Welcome — [Name of officiant]
Opening Music — [Title / Artist]
Reading — [Title / Author]
Eulogy — [Delivered by name]
Hymn — [Title] (words below if congregational)
Page 3:
Poem — [Title / Author]
Music — [Title / Artist]
Committal
Closing Words
Recessional Music — [Title / Artist]
Back Cover:
The family would like to thank you for joining them today.
Donations in [Name]'s memory may be made to [Charity Name].
[Wake details, if applicable]
[Closing quote or verse]
A Few Final Thoughts
Creating an order of service takes time and emotional energy, and it's entirely normal to find it difficult. There is no single right way to do it — what matters most is that it feels true to the person being remembered.
If you're unsure where to start, or if you'd like practical support throughout the funeral planning process, an NAFD-accredited funeral director can help. All NAFD members follow a strict Code of Practice and are committed to supporting families with care, dignity, and transparency. Find an NAFD funeral director near you to begin the conversation.