LDS Funeral Program Template: Order of Service and What to Include

The funeral program at an LDS service isn't just a keepsake for attendees — it's a document the bishop must review and approve before the program goes to print. Getting the format right from the start saves the family from last-minute rewrites during an already difficult week. Here's what goes into a proper Latter-day Saint funeral program and the order the service follows.

The Standard Order of Service

An LDS funeral mirrors the structure of a regular Sunday sacrament meeting. There are no responsive readings, litanies, or sacramental administrations like communion. The service is straightforward and focused on the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Atonement, and the hope of resurrection.

The typical sequence runs like this:

1. Organ prelude begins approximately one hour before the service, while the viewing wraps up in an adjacent room
2. Processional — congregation stands as pallbearers escort the closed casket into the chapel, followed by the family
3. Welcome and acknowledgements by the presiding bishop
4. Opening hymn sung by the congregation
5. Opening prayer (invocation) offered by a family member or friend
6. Life sketch or obituary reading
7. Gospel talks and personal tributes — two or three speakers, pre-arranged and approved by the bishop
8. Special musical number — vocal solo, duet, or instrumental piece
9. Concluding remarks by the bishop
10. Closing hymn sung by the congregation
11. Closing prayer (benediction)
12. Recessional — congregation stands as the casket is escorted out, family follows

The entire chapel service typically lasts 60 to 90 minutes.

What the Bishop Controls

This is where many families, especially those with non-member relatives, run into surprise friction. When a funeral is held in an LDS meetinghouse, it is officially a Church meeting. The bishop presides and has final approval over several elements:

• All speakers must be pre-arranged and listed in the program
• All musical selections must conform to Sunday worship standards
• No open-mic sessions — spontaneous testimony sharing from the congregation is strictly prohibited
• No secular music inside the chapel — pop songs, jazz, theatrical performances, and electronic backing tracks are not permitted
• No video slideshows inside the chapel itself, though they can be set up in the foyer or cultural hall

Instruments allowed in the chapel are the organ, piano, and (with bishop approval) acoustic string or woodwind instruments. Brass instruments, percussion, and recorded backing tracks are prohibited.

Choosing Hymns and Music

Congregational hymns should be established, reverent pieces that focus on the Savior. Common choices include:

• I Know That My Redeemer Lives
• Abide with Me!
• God Be with You Till We Meet Again
• O My Father

The special musical number gives the family more flexibility — a vocal solo or small ensemble performing a reverent piece that the bishop has approved. Plan to submit your music selections early to avoid last-minute substitutions.

What to Print on the Program

A clean LDS funeral program typically includes:

• Full name and dates of the deceased
• A brief life sketch or obituary
• The complete order of service with names of speakers, musicians, and the person offering each prayer
• The name of the presiding bishop
• The name of the priesthood holder dedicating the grave
• Cemetery name and address (if a graveside service follows)
• An optional note about the post-funeral luncheon location

Some families add a favorite scripture or a brief quote from Church leaders. Keep it reverent and simple — the bishop will review the final draft before printing.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Scheduling on a Sunday is the most frequent planning error — LDS funerals cannot be held on Sundays, as the day is reserved for regular worship. Other common issues include planning an open-mic tribute segment (which the bishop will remove), selecting music that doesn't meet chapel standards, and omitting the bishop's review step entirely.

Families sometimes prepare elaborate photo slideshows for the chapel only to learn at the last moment that electronic displays are prohibited on the stand. The workaround is setting up the slideshow in the foyer or cultural hall during the pre-service viewing and the post-funeral luncheon, where it's fully welcome.

After the Chapel Service

The program's scope extends beyond the chapel. At the cemetery, attendees gather for a brief graveside service that includes the priesthood dedication of the grave — a formal Melchizedek Priesthood ordinance. Afterward, the Relief Society hosts a luncheon at the meetinghouse where the family can decompress in a more relaxed setting.

The Mormon / LDS Funeral Guide includes printable program templates with the correct order of service pre-filled, along with a bishop coordination worksheet that helps families prepare their music, speaker list, and timeline for approval well before the service day.