An order of service helps everyone follow the funeral, and many people keep it for years afterwards. This guide explains what to include, gives you a page-by-page template, and shares tips on printing so there are no last-minute mistakes.
Key points
- Most orders of service are A4 folded to A5, giving four pages.
- The cover usually has a photo, the person’s full name and dates.
- The inside lists the running order and the words to any hymns.
- The back thanks people and gives details of the wake or donations.
- Check the running order with the minister or celebrant before printing.
- Proofread carefully, especially names, dates and spellings.
What to include
| Page | Typical content |
|---|---|
| Front cover | Photo; heading such as “In loving memory of” or “A celebration of the life of”; full name (and any nickname); dates of birth and death or years; venue, date and time |
| Inside | Running order: entrance music, welcome, hymns, readings (with reader’s name), tribute, prayers or reflection, committal, exit music |
| Hymn or poem pages | Words to any hymns or readings people will join in with (check copyright) |
| Back cover | Thank you message; wake details; charity for donations; a second photo or short quote |
Sample running orders
| Religious service (church) | Crematorium service (civil or humanist) |
|---|---|
| Entrance music | Entrance music |
| Welcome and opening prayer | Welcome from the celebrant |
| Hymn | Reading or poem |
| Bible reading | Tribute or life story |
| Tribute or eulogy | Reflection music, often with a slideshow |
| Hymn | Words from family or friends |
| Sermon or homily | Moment of silence |
| Prayers | Committal |
| Commendation and committal | Closing words |
| Final hymn and blessing | Exit music |
| Exit music |
These are examples only. Every church and celebrant does things a little differently, and a Catholic funeral Mass has its own structure.
A fill-in template (four pages, A5)
Page 1: front cover
[Photo]
In loving memory of
[Full name]
[Date of birth] – [Date of death]
[Venue name] [Day, date] at [time]
Page 2: order of service
Entrance music: [title, artist]
Welcome: [minister or celebrant’s name]
Hymn: [title] (words on page 3)
Reading: [title or reference], read by [name]
Tribute: [name, relationship]
Reflection: [title, artist]
Prayers or a moment of reflection
Committal
Exit music: [title, artist]
Page 3: hymn or poem
[Title]
[Words, if public domain or covered by the venue’s licence]
Page 4: back cover
The family would like to thank you for joining them today.
You are warmly invited to join us afterwards at [venue, address].
Donations in memory of [name] may be made to [charity] via [collection at the door / online page / funeral director].
[Second photo or short line, e.g. “Forever in our hearts”]
For a longer service, use an eight-page booklet and add pages for photos, a short life story or extra hymns.
Cover wording ideas
- In loving memory of
- A celebration of the life of
- Remembering with love
- A service of thanksgiving for the life of
- Forever in our hearts
- A life well lived
- In memory of a much-loved mum, nan and friend
- Always loved, never forgotten
Use the name people actually called them, for example “Margaret (Peggy) Ellis”, so everyone recognises the person.
Printing tips
- Photo quality: use the highest-resolution photo you have. Phone photos are usually fine; small images from social media can look blurry when printed. Printers generally ask for 300 dpi at the printed size.
- Paper: a heavier card-like paper feels more substantial and holds up to handling. Matt or silk finishes are easier to read under church lights than gloss.
- Font size: at least 11 or 12 point for the body text, larger for hymn words. Print a few large-print copies for anyone with sight loss.
- Colours: dark text on a light background is easiest to read. Avoid printing text over busy photos.
- Quantity: estimate attendance and add spares.
- Timing: allow several working days, and leave time to check a proof.
- Proofread: ask two people to check names, dates, spellings, reader names and the running order. Mistakes on the day are upsetting and costly to fix.
- Delivery: agree who will bring them to the venue and who will hand them out.
Doing it yourself
You can create an order of service using a word processor or free design software, then print at home or at a local print shop. Home printing works for small numbers but can be slow, and double-sided alignment is fiddly. A local printer can often print your own design quickly and affordably.
Copyright: hymns and poems
Older hymns and poems in the public domain can be printed freely. Many modern hymns, songs and poems are still in copyright. Churches often hold a licence covering hymn words, and the minister or funeral director can tell you what’s covered. For modern poems, you may need the publisher’s permission to print them in full. See our music, hymns and readings guide.
Cost
Costs depend on the number of pages, paper, quantity and turnaround. Printing through your funeral director is convenient, while a local or online printer, or DIY, is usually cheaper. Ask for a price before you commit. See funeral costs for the bigger picture.
Next steps
- Choose music, hymns and readings.
- Write the tribute with our eulogy guide.
- Find a funeral director near you who can help with printing.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to have an order of service?
How many orders of service should I print?
Who usually makes the order of service?
What size is an order of service?
How far ahead should I order printed orders of service?
Sources
We check guides against official sources and update them when rules change. Editorial policy · Report an error
Cite this page: FuneralFinder (2026). “How to create a funeral order of service”. https://funeralfinder.org/uk/guides/order-of-service/ (updated 25 September 2026).