Planning a funeral or memorial service often involves making many decisions in a short period of time. A funeral program can make one part of that process easier by giving guests a clear guide to the service while also creating a personal remembrance of the life being honored.

A funeral program typically includes the loved one’s name and photograph, dates, service information, an order of service and a short obituary or life story. It may also include readings, poems, music, meaningful quotes or acknowledgments from the family.

There is no single correct funeral program template. The best program is one that is easy to follow, reflects the person being remembered and includes the information guests need without feeling overcrowded.

What Is a Funeral Program?

A funeral program is a printed or digital guide used during a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life.

Its practical purpose is to explain what will happen during the service. Its personal purpose is to help tell the story of the person being remembered.

Some families choose a simple one-page memorial service program, while others create a folded booklet containing photographs, an obituary, favorite readings and family acknowledgments.

The format can be formal or informal depending on the type of service.

A traditional funeral may follow a structured funeral order of service, while a celebration of life program may focus more heavily on photographs, memories, music and personal stories.

Planning more than the printed program? Read our guide to Planning a Celebration of Life or Memorial Service for additional ideas on creating a meaningful gathering. Planning a Celebration of Life or Memorial Service

What Should Be Included in a Funeral Program?

Most funeral program templates contain several core elements, but families can adapt them based on their traditions and preferences.

The program does not need to contain everything about a person’s life. Think of it as a meaningful introduction to their story rather than a complete biography.

Simple Funeral Program Template

A straightforward funeral program template could follow this format:

Cover

In Loving Memory of
[Full Name]
[Birth Date] – [Date of Death]

[Memorial Photograph]

Inside

Welcome and Opening Remarks

Reading or Prayer

Musical Selection

Family Memories

Eulogy

Moment of Reflection

Closing Words

Reception Information

Back Page

Forever remembered, always loved.

Family acknowledgment and a favorite photograph, quotation or brief message.

This structure can work for a traditional funeral, memorial service or celebration of life. The wording can then be adjusted to reflect the family’s beliefs, traditions and personality.

Funeral Program Wording Examples

The words used in a memorial program do not have to be elaborate. Simple, sincere language is often easier for guests to connect with.

For the cover, families might use wording such as:

In Loving Memory of [Name]

Celebrating the Life of [Name]

Remembering a Life Well Lived

A Celebration of Life for [Name]

For the closing section, wording might include:

Your presence, kindness and support are deeply appreciated by our family.

Or:

Thank you for joining us as we remember and celebrate a life that meant so much to so many.

These phrases can be personalized with names, favorite sayings or details that reflect the person being honored.

How to Write a Short Obituary for a Funeral Program

A funeral program obituary is usually shorter than a newspaper or online obituary.

Begin with the person’s full name and the basic dates of their life. Then briefly describe the relationships, qualities, interests and experiences that mattered most.

A simple obituary example might read:

James Robert Miller, a devoted husband, father and grandfather, will be remembered for his kindness, sense of humor and lifelong love of the outdoors. He treasured time with his family, early mornings spent fishing and the friendships he built throughout his life. His warmth and generosity will remain part of the many memories shared by those who knew and loved him.

The goal is not to include every accomplishment. Choose details that help someone reading the program understand who the person was.

For more formal obituaries, families may also include education, military service, career, community involvement, surviving family members and service details.

Funeral Program vs. Obituary: What Is the Difference?

A funeral program guides guests through the memorial service and may become a keepsake after the gathering.

An obituary focuses primarily on communicating the death and summarizing the person’s life. It may be published online, in a newspaper or through a funeral home.

The obituary can be included inside the funeral program, but the two serve different purposes.

Think of the obituary as the story, and the funeral program as the guide to the gathering where that story is remembered.

Adding Photos and Personal Details

Photographs can make a celebration of life program feel especially personal.

The cover commonly features one meaningful portrait, while interior pages can include family photographs, milestones, hobbies, travel memories or everyday moments.

If photographs are an important part of the memorial, families may choose to carry the same visual theme into the remembrance displayed at home.

Urns.com currently offers Photo Urns and Keepsakes, including photo display urns and other memorial styles designed to incorporate a photograph.

Continue the story beyond the service with a memorial that includes a favorite photograph.
Explore Photo Urns & Keepsakes

Creating a Consistent Memorial Theme

Some families choose to use the same photograph, colors, flowers or symbols throughout the funeral program and memorial display.

For example, a favorite flower might appear on the program and also influence the design of the urn. A military emblem could connect the service materials with a veteran’s memorial. A family photograph might appear both in the printed program and alongside a photo urn.

These small connections can create a memorial that feels more personal without making every detail identical.

For families who want to add names, dates or other personal details to a memorial, Urns.com also maintains a collection of customizable options.

Personal details can help a memorial reflect an individual story.
Explore Customizable Memorials

Keepsakes for Family Members

A funeral program often becomes a keepsake itself. Some families also choose small memorial pieces that can be shared among close relatives.

Keepsake urns and small urns for ashes are designed for families who wish to preserve smaller individual memorials or share a remembrance among loved ones. Urns.com currently offers keepsake styles in materials including wood, marble, glass, pewter and brass.

If several family members would like a personal remembrance, explore smaller memorial options created for sharing and remembrance.
Explore Keepsake & Small Urns

Frequently Asked Questions About Funeral Programs

How long should a funeral program be?

There is no required length. A simple program may be one folded page, while a more detailed memorial booklet may contain several pages. Include enough information to guide guests without making the program difficult to read.

What goes on the front of a funeral program?

Most covers include the loved one’s name, photograph, birth and death dates and the date or location of the service. A short phrase such as “In Loving Memory” or “Celebrating the Life of” may also be included.

Should an obituary be included in a funeral program?

It can be, but it is not required. A short obituary or life summary can help guests learn more about the person being remembered and makes the program more meaningful as a keepsake.

What is the order of a funeral program?

The order depends on religious traditions and family preferences. A common sequence includes a welcome, opening reading or prayer, music, readings, eulogy, reflections and closing remarks.

Can a funeral program be used for a celebration of life?

Yes. A celebration of life program can use the same basic structure while placing more emphasis on personal stories, photographs, favorite music and memories.

A Program That Tells Their Story

A funeral program does more than explain what comes next during a service. It can help family and friends remember the details, relationships and moments that made a person’s life unique.

Start with a simple structure. Add the information guests need, choose a few meaningful photographs or words and allow the personality of the person being remembered to guide the rest.

There is no need to create something elaborate for it to be meaningful.

And when the service has ended, families may choose other ways to continue honoring that story at home. From urns for human ashes to photo memorials, keepsake urns and personalized designs, the right remembrance can reflect the same names, symbols and memories included in the funeral program. Urns.com currently offers adult urns across traditional and contemporary memorial styles.

Honor their story in a way that feels personal to your family.
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