Interfaith Funeral Program Template: Order of Service for Multi-Faith Families

What an Interfaith Funeral Program Needs to Do

A standard funeral program lists the order of service: who speaks, what's read, when to stand. An interfaith funeral program has to do more than that. It has to orient a room full of people who follow different traditions — or no tradition — through rituals some of them have never seen before.

The printed program is the single most underrated tool in interfaith funeral planning. A good one eliminates the two biggest sources of discomfort: guests not knowing what's happening next, and guests not knowing whether they're supposed to participate.

Sample Order of Service

This template follows the sequencing approach — giving each tradition its own block rather than blending elements together — which avoids diluting any single practice:

Opening (5 minutes)

• Welcome by officiant or family spokesperson
• Acknowledgment of the multiple traditions represented
• Brief explanation of the service format

First Tradition Block (10–15 minutes)

• Opening prayer or invocation from Tradition A
• Scripture reading or sacred text
• Reflection or homily by clergy/leader of Tradition A

Moment of Silence (1–2 minutes)

• Printed note: "We pause to reflect, pray, or meditate according to our own hearts"

Second Tradition Block (10–15 minutes)

• Prayer or invocation from Tradition B
• Reading from sacred text or literature
• Reflection by clergy/leader of Tradition B

Shared Elements (10 minutes)

• Eulogy by family member or close friend
• Photo slideshow or musical tribute
• Secular poetry reading

Closing (5 minutes)

• Joint blessing or universal benediction
• Recessional music
• Announcement of reception details

Wording That Works

The welcome message sets the tone for everything that follows. Here are three approaches:

Formal: "Today we gather to honour the life of [Name], drawing from the traditions that shaped [their] life and the lives of [their] family. You will hear prayers and readings from [Tradition A] and [Tradition B]. We welcome your presence regardless of your own beliefs and invite you to participate in whatever way feels natural to you."

Warm and personal: "[Name] spent [their] life bridging two worlds — [faith background]. This service reflects that. You'll hear from both traditions, and there's no wrong way to be here. If something is unfamiliar, simply listen. Your presence is what matters."

Brief: "This is a service of many voices. We'll move through elements from [Tradition A] and [Tradition B], with pauses for quiet reflection. The printed notes below will guide you."

Participation Cues

The most helpful thing a program can do is tell guests exactly when they're expected to act and when they can simply listen. Use short parenthetical notes throughout:

• (All are welcome to stand) — for prayers where standing is customary
• (Please remain seated) — for rituals specific to one tradition
• (Congregation responds: "Lord, hear our prayer") — only where appropriate
• (A moment of silence for personal prayer or reflection) — at transitions
• (Non-Jewish guests are welcome to stand as a sign of respect during the Kaddish) — specific guidance for cross-faith moments

Avoid asking the entire audience to recite prayers from a single tradition. Instead, print the text in the program so guests can follow along silently.

Program Format Tips

• Bifold or trifold: a single folded sheet (8.5 × 11 or A4) is enough for most services
• Photo on the cover: the deceased's name, dates, and a photo. Keep it simple.
• Inside left: order of service with participation cues
• Inside right: readings, prayers, or lyrics printed in full
• Back panel: a brief note of thanks, reception location and time, and any charitable donation information

For services with non-English elements — Arabic prayers, Hebrew blessings, Sanskrit mantras — include both the original text and a phonetic transliteration alongside the English translation. This lets guests follow along without requiring them to read a script they can't pronounce.

Common Formatting Mistakes

Three things that derail otherwise good programs:

1. No context for unfamiliar rituals. A line that says "Salat al-Janazah" with no explanation leaves half the room confused. Add one sentence: "The Islamic funeral prayer — guests are welcome to observe quietly."

2. Too many speakers with no time guidance. When a program lists seven speakers without indicating how long each segment runs, the service drifts past 90 minutes and guests get restless. Keep total service time to 45–60 minutes.

3. Mixing the two format types. Either sequence traditions into blocks (recommended for interfaith) or blend them element by element — never alternate between the two approaches in the same service.

Getting the Full Template

The Interfaith Funeral Planning Guide includes a printable program template with fill-in sections for each tradition block, pre-written participation cues, and wording for the most common faith combinations (Jewish-Christian, Muslim-Christian, Hindu-Christian, Buddhist-secular). It also covers what to discuss with each clergy member before finalising the program — some faith leaders have firm rules about what can and can't appear alongside their prayers in print.