Protestant Funeral Bulletin Template

The service is three days away and someone needs to produce the bulletin — the printed program that every person in the pew will hold during the funeral. It needs to be accurate, dignified, and finished before the print deadline. Here is how to structure it.

What a Funeral Bulletin Contains

A standard mainline Protestant funeral bulletin is a folded booklet (letter-size paper folded in half, giving you four panels) with these elements:

Front cover:

• Full name of the deceased
• Birth date and death date
• A cross, church logo, or simple decorative border
• The phrase "The Burial of the Dead" (Episcopal), "The Funeral Liturgy" (ELCA), "A Service of Death and Resurrection" (Methodist), or "A Service of Witness to the Resurrection" (Presbyterian)
• Date, time, and church name

Inside left — the order of service: This is the liturgical roadmap. List each element in sequence:

1. Prelude
2. Processional Hymn (include hymn name and number)
3. Opening Sentences / Words of Grace
4. Opening Prayer
5. First Reading — Old Testament (list the passage, e.g., Isaiah 25:6-9, and the reader's name)
6. Psalm (e.g., Psalm 23 — read responsively or sung)
7. Second Reading — Epistle (list passage and reader)
8. Gospel Reading (list passage; in Episcopal and Lutheran services, an ordained minister reads this)
9. Homily — Pastor's Name
10. Personal Remembrance — Speaker's Name (if applicable)
11. Hymn (name and number)
12. Apostles' Creed (if included)
13. Prayers of the People / Intercessions
14. The Lord's Prayer
15. Holy Communion (if included — include the church's stated invitation)
16. Commendation
17. Blessing / Benediction
18. Recessional Hymn (name and number)
19. Postlude

Inside right — biographical tribute:

• A brief paragraph about the deceased's life: birth, education, career, family, church involvement, significant achievements
• List of immediate survivors (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings)
• Preceded in death by (parents, spouse, siblings)

Back cover:

• Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers
• Acknowledgments — thank the church, musicians, and those who helped
• Reception details: location, time
• Memorial donation information (if applicable)
• A favorite scripture verse or brief quote from the deceased

Formatting Tips

• Font: Use a clean, readable serif font (Times New Roman, Garamond, or Palatino) at 11 or 12 point. The bulletin will be read by elderly family members in a dimly lit sanctuary.
• Hymn texts: You typically do not need to print full hymn texts if hymnals are in the pews. Just list the hymn name and number. If no hymnals are available, print the full text.
• Responsive readings: Bold the congregation's lines so people know when to speak.
• Proof carefully: Verify every name spelling, scripture reference, and hymn number. Errors in a funeral bulletin are permanent and painful.
• Print count: Ask the funeral director or church office for an attendance estimate. Print 10 to 15% more than expected.

Denomination-Specific Adjustments

Episcopal: The bulletin often follows the Book of Common Prayer closely. Some families print the BCP page numbers rather than the full text, since the BCP is available in the pews. Always include "Rite One" or "Rite Two" in the heading so attendees can follow along.

Lutheran (ELCA): The Evangelical Lutheran Worship hymnal is the reference. Lutheran bulletins frequently include the "Thanksgiving for Baptism" section at the beginning, tying the service to the deceased's baptism.

Presbyterian: The Service of Witness to the Resurrection is structured around simplicity. Presbyterian bulletins tend to be the most restrained in design — minimal graphics, clean layout, focused on the liturgical text.

Methodist: The Service of Death and Resurrection allows more flexibility. Methodist bulletins may include a photo of the deceased on the front cover and slightly more biographical detail than other traditions.

Who Produces It

At many mainline churches, the church secretary or parish administrator handles bulletin production as part of their regular duties. Confirm this early — if the church does not produce the bulletin, the family or the funeral home will need to. Most funeral homes offer bulletin printing as an add-on service (typically $100 to $300 for 100 to 200 copies).

If you are producing it yourself, have the pastor review the order of service before printing. The pastor may need to adjust the sequence, correct a scripture reference, or add liturgical elements you were not aware of.

The Protestant Mainline Funeral Guide includes denomination-specific bulletin templates with pre-formatted order-of-service sections for all five mainline traditions.