Christian Funeral Program Template

The funeral program — sometimes called the bulletin or order of service — is the one printed document every guest receives. It tells people what is happening, when, and who is participating. For evangelical services, it also serves as a memorial keepsake that families hold onto for years.

Here is what goes on each page, how to format it, and where families most often stumble.

Standard Four-Panel Layout

Most funeral programs are printed on a single 8.5 x 11 sheet, folded in half to create four panels. The layout is straightforward:

Front cover:

• Full-color photograph of the deceased
• Full legal name
• Birth date and death date
• A scripture verse or short phrase ("Gone Home to Be with the Lord," "In Loving Memory")

Inside left — Life sketch:

• A condensed version of the obituary: birth details, family survivors, church membership, career highlights, and ministry involvement
• Keep it under 300 words — this is a summary, not the full newspaper obituary

Inside right — Order of service:

• Processional
• Opening hymn (list the title)
• Scripture readings (list the passages and who reads them)
• Tributes (list the speakers by name)
• Solo or choir selection (list the song title and performer)
• Sermon — Pastor [Name]
• Closing hymn
• Recessional
• Graveside committal — location and time

Back cover:

• Family acknowledgment: "The family of [name] wishes to express sincere gratitude for your prayers, love, and support during this time."
• Pallbearers listed by name (active and honorary)
• Optional: a favorite poem, additional scripture verse, or the deceased's personal motto

Formatting Tips

Use readable fonts. Serif fonts (like Times New Roman or Georgia) at 11–12 point for body text. The deceased's name on the cover can be larger and in a decorative font, but keep everything else clean.

Leave white space. A packed program looks chaotic. Use generous margins and spacing between sections. The inside-right panel (order of service) should be scannable at a glance — attendees are checking it during the service, not reading it closely.

Print more than you think you need. Ask the funeral home or church office for an attendance estimate and print 20% more. Latecomers, guests who take extras for absent family members, and archival copies for the church all add up.

Proof it twice. Misspelled names — especially of the deceased, the pastor, or the pallbearers — are the most common and most painful errors. Have two people review the final draft before printing.

What Not to Include

Cause of death. The program is a public document. Keep sensitive details private.

Long tributes. Save extended stories for the speakers during the service. The program carries only the schedule and a brief life sketch.

QR codes or social media handles. These feel commercial in a worship setting. If the family has an online memorial page, share the link on the funeral home's website or through the church email list, not on the printed program.

Who Creates It

The family creates the program, not the church or the funeral home — though both can help. Many funeral homes offer template-based design services (often included in their package). For a DIY approach, any word processor works: Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Canva all have bifold templates that match the standard layout.

The church office can tell you how many copies to print and whether they have a printer on-site for last-minute adjustments.

For a complete funeral planning toolkit with program templates and fill-in worksheets, see our Evangelical Funeral Guide.