Funeral order of service — frequently asked questions

A funeral order of service is a printed booklet given to mourners at a funeral service. It lists the sequence of the service — hymns, readings, music, tributes, and prayers — so that guests can follow along.

It also typically includes a photograph of the person who has died, their name and dates, and sometimes a short biography or poem. Many families keep it as a lasting memento of the day.

A funeral order of service typically includes:

• A cover — the person's name, dates (born and died), and a photograph
• A welcome or introduction by the officiant
• Hymns or music — with words printed if guests are expected to sing
• A reading or poem
• The eulogy or tribute
• Prayers (for religious services)
• The committal
• Closing music

You can also add a short biography, a favourite quote, or a message from the family on the back page. You don't need to include everything — include what is meaningful for your service.

For a full breakdown, see our guide: What to write in a funeral order of service.

Print slightly more than you expect to need. A common approach is to estimate the number of guests and add 20–30 per cent. Many families also print extras for the funeral director, the officiant, and to keep as keepsakes.

If you are unsure, 50–75 is a reasonable starting point for a mid-sized funeral. Leftover copies are a meaningful memento; running out on the day causes unnecessary stress.

The most common size in the UK is A5 (148mm × 210mm), printed as a folded A4 sheet to create a 4-page booklet. Some families choose a single A5 sheet (2 pages), or a larger A4 booklet for longer services with full hymn words.

A5 folded is the format most print shops and online printing services expect. Our templates are designed at A5 size.

Printing costs vary depending on quantity, paper quality, and where you print:

• Home printing on good quality paper costs very little per copy — mainly ink
• Local print shops typically charge £1–£3 per copy for a colour A5 booklet
• Online printing services (Instantprint, Printed.com, Vistaprint) can be cheaper in quantity — around 50–80p per copy for 50 or more, plus postage
• Through a funeral director is usually the most expensive option

Using your own template and printing locally gives you the most control over cost and quality.

Yes. Many families print their own at home. You will need a colour printer and good quality paper — 120gsm or above is recommended so the finished booklet feels substantial rather than flimsy. Print on A4, then fold in half to create an A5 booklet.

A laser printer produces sharper results than inkjet, particularly for photos. If you don't have access to a good printer, most local print shops will print from a PDF you bring on a USB stick or email to them.

Our templates download as print-ready PDFs.

Most funeral orders of service are 4 pages — a single A4 sheet folded in half. This is enough space for the cover, the full running order, and a short biography or poem on the back.

For longer services with several hymns (and their full words), an 8-page or 12-page booklet may be more appropriate. There is no rule — include what is needed for your service, and no more.

They are the same thing. "Order of service", "funeral programme", and "funeral booklet" all refer to the printed document given to mourners at a funeral. "Order of service" is the more traditional British term; "programme" is used interchangeably and is more common in some regions and in the United States.

Usually a close family member, often with input from the funeral director and the officiant. The funeral director will advise on the running order, the officiant will confirm the structure of their service, and the family fills in the personal details — the biography, photos, chosen readings, and hymns.

You do not need professional help to write one, and you do not need to follow a rigid template. Write what feels right for the person and the service.

Start as soon as the funeral date is confirmed — typically 4–7 days before the service. You need time to gather information, write the content, design the booklet, and arrange printing.

Allow at least 2–3 days if using an online printing service (longer in winter when print shops are busier). If printing at home, you can leave it until 1–2 days before — but this leaves no margin for errors.

Choose a photo where the person looks like themselves — relaxed, recognisable, and at their best. A portrait or head-and-shoulders shot works better than a group photo or a heavily cropped image.

The photo does not need to be recent; many families choose a photo from a time the person was particularly happy or healthy. For print quality, use a digital image of at least 1MB or 1,000 pixels wide — smaller images look blurry when printed at A5.

The back page is often used for:

• A short biography of the person's life
• A favourite poem or quote
• A thank-you message from the family
• Details of a wake or reception — time and venue
• Information about charitable donations in memory of the person
• A meaningful photograph

Some families leave it nearly blank — just a single line: "Beloved and deeply missed." There is no requirement to fill every page.

Not necessarily. A small graveside service or direct cremation with only a handful of people present does not require a printed booklet. However, many families still choose to create one as a keepsake, even if only a few copies are printed. It gives the occasion a sense of care and ceremony regardless of the size of the gathering.

Yes — and many do. At a humanist or non-religious funeral, the order of service replaces hymns with music tracks, prayers with reflective readings or poems, and a sermon with a tribute or celebrant's address. The format is the same; the content is adapted.

Our templates work for both religious and non-religious services.

A typical Church of England funeral follows this order:

1. Entry music or opening hymn
2. Welcome by the minister
3. Opening prayers
4. A hymn
5. A scripture reading
6. The eulogy or tribute
7. A hymn
8. Prayers (including the Lord's Prayer)
9. The committal
10. A closing hymn
11. The blessing
12. Exit music

The exact structure varies by church and officiant, and not all elements are required. Your vicar or minister will provide the order for your specific service.

The format is almost identical. The main difference is in the committal — the final moment of the service. At a cremation, the committal typically involves the coffin being lowered or the curtains closing. At a burial, it involves the coffin being lowered into the grave, often with the words "earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust." Both are printed in the order of service in the same position.

Yes — and writing it yourself is usually the most meaningful approach. You knew the person. A few honest sentences about who they were, what they loved, and what they meant to those they leaves behind carries far more weight than a formal obituary style.

Our guide to writing an order of service and our eulogy guide both include practical examples to help you get started.