The funeral programs (sometimes called a memorial service bulletin) are printed documents that outlines the key points in the funeral or memorial service and summarizes the life achievements of your deceased loved one. The family of the deceased usually prepares the information for the funeral program. The family may work with the funeral home or church to create the funeral program, or they may use a company such as Elegant Memorials to download a customized funeral program template that can also serve as a keepsake. For a customized funeral program that represents the unique personality of your loved one, visit our on-line funeral program template design gallery.

Funeral Program Layout


Choose from a variety of cover designs

Determine a paper size and layout style, such as bifold or triford, 8 1/2" x 11" or 8 1/2" x 14"

Choose a title or phrase -- "Home Going Celebration"; "In Loving Memory"; "A Memorial Tribute"; "Celebrating the Life"; "In Remembrance"; or any custom phrase

Location; Date; Time;

Name of Service Leader

Date of Birth and Date of Death

Order of Service

Prelude - anything that serves as a preceding event or introduces the events thatfollow; Ex. Instrumental Song, Poem, Choir, Solo Singer
Procession – Group Entrance (usually family and immediate family) into a ceremony or service
Prayer Moment of Silence (Remembrance)
Reading (Scriptural, Poem, favorite excerpt)
Hymn Song of Comfort
Acknowledgments (family members, hospice, community members)
Obituary Reading
Hymn (Song of Comfort)
Eulogy/Tributes/Funeral Poems
Benediction/Closing - Short invocation for divine help, blessing and guidance, usually at the end of a service
Recessional (Song/ Procession or “exiting” of the service)

Obituary

An obituary is a notice or announcement, of a person's death,to includean account of their life. Obituaries are an important part of the funeral program and arethe last words written about someone's life. For details about writing an obituary and to view sample obituaries read “How to Write an Obituary”

Poems/Eulogies/Tributes

Poems are used in funeral programs to bring comfort to the grieving, or to help celebrate the life of the deceased. Eulogies, tributes and special poems can be included to help personalize the program.

Special Acknowledgments /Thank You Notes

This section of the program expresses gratitude to friends, family and organizations that have shown special support in your loved one's life. It can be highly personalized or contain standard text.

The following articles can help you create the perfect funeral program:

Funeral Program Templates Designs and Covers
Using Funeral Program Templates
Sample Obituaries
Funeral Poems
Funeral Songs
Funeral Program Examples
Sample Funeral Programs
How to Write an Obituary
How to Write a Eulogy

Using Poems in Funeral Programs


Funeral poems are often incorporates in funeral programs. Poems help to communicate feelings for the deceased that may be difficult for grieving family and friends to express. There many different types of poems that you can use, including religious, secular, poems about a particular relationship that you share with the deceased (such as friend, mother, father, daughter, son, etc). You can find many resources that have a wide selection of poems for funeral and funeral programs. The internet is a great source for finding poems, and many sites will categorize the poems based on relationship and cause of death. Adding poems to your funeral programs or memorial service programs can turn your bulletin into a cherished keepsake.