Catholic Funeral Program Template — How to Create an Order of Service Booklet

Why a Printed Program Makes a Real Difference

A funeral program does two things at once: it helps guests follow along with the liturgy, and it serves as a lasting keepsake for the family. For non-Catholic guests especially, a clear order of service removes the anxiety of not knowing when to stand, sit, or kneel.

Most parishes do not provide printed programs — that responsibility falls on the family. Here is what to include and how to structure it.

What Goes in a Catholic Funeral Program

A standard Catholic funeral booklet is a folded 8.5 x 11 sheet (creating four panels) or a multi-page saddle-stitched booklet for longer services. The content follows the liturgical order:

Front Cover:

• Full name of the deceased
• Date of birth and date of death
• A photograph (optional but common)
• A short Scripture verse or prayer
• Name and location of the church
• Date and time of the Funeral Mass

Inside Left Panel — Order of Service:

• Processional Hymn (title)
• Introductory Rites
• First Reading (passage citation and lector's name)
• Responsorial Psalm (title and refrain)
• Second Reading (passage citation and lector's name)
• Gospel Reading (citation)
• Homily
• Words of Remembrance (speaker's name, if applicable)
• Offertory Hymn (title)
• Communion Hymn (title)
• Final Commendation
• Song of Farewell (title)
• Recessional Hymn (title)

Inside Right Panel — Personal Tributes:

• A brief biographical paragraph about the deceased
• List of surviving family members
• Names of pallbearers
• A personal poem, prayer, or favorite quote (secular content is fine here — the program is not a liturgical document)

Back Cover:

• Acknowledgment of thanks from the family
• Details of the Committal service (cemetery name and time)
• Reception or mercy meal location and time
• Memorial donation information (in lieu of flowers)

Common Formatting Mistakes

Listing the full text of readings — This makes the program too long and is unnecessary. Citation references (e.g., "Wisdom 3:1–9") are sufficient. Guests who want to follow along can use the church's missalette.

Including secular songs in the Mass section — If the family plans secular music at the reception, list it separately under a "Reception" heading. Listing it within the Mass order confuses guests and may conflict with what the parish actually permits.

Omitting the Responsorial Psalm refrain — Print the sung refrain so guests can participate. Many non-regular churchgoers don't know the response.

Forgetting Communion instructions — A brief line such as "Catholics in a state of grace are invited to receive Communion; all others are welcome to approach for a blessing with arms crossed" prevents awkward moments.

Design Tips

Keep the design dignified. Serif fonts (like Garamond or Times New Roman) read as more formal and traditional. Limit colors to black text on cream or white paper. A simple border or cross graphic is enough — avoid clip art or busy backgrounds.

If you are using Canva or a similar design platform, search for "funeral program" templates and modify the content to match the Catholic liturgical structure above. Many online templates use generic Protestant or secular formats that omit Catholic-specific elements like the Responsorial Psalm or the Final Commendation.

Print Enough Copies

Order 20 to 30 percent more copies than your expected attendance. People take programs home as keepsakes, and you don't want to run short. Most print shops can handle a same-day or next-day turnaround on a simple folded program.

For a complete liturgy-planning worksheet that feeds directly into your program — including the approved reading list, hymn options, and role assignments — the Catholic Funeral Guide gives you everything you need in one place.