How much does printing a funeral program cost?

In the UK, expect £30–80 for 100 bi-fold A5 programs on cardstock through a local print shop or online service (Moo.com, Vistaprint, Solopress). Funeral directors typically charge £60–150 for the same quantity, including design. In the US, $80–200 per 100 programs is typical, depending on paper quality and whether you use a funeral director or a print service like FuneralOne or Overnight Prints.

Does the denomination affect the program structure?

Yes, significantly. Anglican / Church of England services follow Common Worship and typically include processional, greeting, prayers, psalm, reading, hymn, address, prayers of intercession, committal, and recessional. Roman Catholic Requiem Masses include the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist. Jewish services are typically shorter and do not include flowers or music in Orthodox practice. Muslim janazah prayers are brief and usually held without a printed program. Hindu services (antyesti) vary by regional tradition. Humanist services have no fixed liturgy — the officiant designs the service from scratch.

What photo should be used on the cover?

A dignified portrait, ideally one the deceased would have been comfortable with — not a candid or group photo cropped to show just them. The most recently used formal photo is usually best. Ensure the image is at least 300dpi at the intended print size (roughly 10x8cm for an A5 cover). A blurry photo printed at low resolution looks unprofessional and can be upsetting.

How long before the service should the program be ready?

At least 48 hours before the service, to allow for a print run with same-day or next-day delivery. Most print services require 24–48 hours for standard turnaround. If ordering in the UK, Solopress offers same-day print and next-day delivery for orders placed before 12:00. Factor in the time needed to get digital files to the printer — PDF is the preferred format for professional printing.

Who typically receives a copy of the funeral program?

Everyone attending the service is given one at the entrance. Extra copies are typically kept by the immediate family, the officiant, and the funeral director. Sending copies to those who could not attend — particularly elderly or overseas relatives — is a thoughtful gesture. Digital versions can be emailed or posted online via a memorial page.

Can you use a digital funeral program instead of print?

Yes, increasingly so — particularly since 2020. A digital program can be distributed via QR code on a single printed card at the entrance, linking to a PDF or webpage. This works well for large services where printing costs are prohibitive, for environmentally conscious families, or for hybrid services with remote attendees. However, many older attendees and those without smartphones will be excluded, so print and digital often work together.

Are there rules about including hymn lyrics?

Hymns published before 1900 are generally in the public domain in the UK and US (life plus 70 years). Modern hymns and praise songs are copyright — check the CCLI licence. Most churches hold a CCLI licence that permits reproduction of covered songs in service materials. If your church holds a licence, include the CCLI licence number on the program. For services not held in a church, you may need to obtain separate permission.

What abbreviations appear on funeral programs?

RIP (Rest in Peace), R.I.P.; "In Memoriam"; "In Loving Memory of"; "Sunrise/Sunset" in place of birth/death dates in some traditions; "nee" for a woman's birth surname. In Catholic programs, you may see "OP", "SJ", or other religious order abbreviations after the officiant's name. "OSM" (Order of Service for the Funeral Mass) denotes a Catholic service.

Funeral Program Template — Free Order of Service (US + UK)

What a funeral program is

A funeral program — also called an order of service, service sheet, or memorial bulletin — is the printed document distributed to mourners at a funeral or memorial service. It serves two purposes simultaneously: a practical guide through the service, and a physical keepsake that many families treasure for years.

The practical function is clear: it tells mourners when to stand, when to sit, which hymn to turn to and what words to sing, when the eulogy will be given, and how the service will conclude. A well-prepared program means mourners are oriented rather than anxious, following the service rather than looking around for cues.

The keepsake function is equally important, though less often discussed. Unlike a death notice or obituary published in a newspaper, the funeral program is a physical object that attendees take home. For many families, it is the first tangible memorial artefact — the beginning of a collection that might grow to include a photo album, a memorial book, or a grave marker. The design, therefore, matters more than it might seem.

Structure: what goes on each panel

The standard bi-fold format gives four panels:

Cover (outside front):

Name of the deceased (full legal name; in some traditions, also their preferred name or nickname in quotation marks)
Dates of birth and death
A portrait photograph
The date, time, and location of the service
Optionally: a short Scripture verse, poem, or personal motto

Inside left:

Order of service, part 1: processional music, welcome, opening prayers or words, first hymn, first reading

Inside right:

Order of service, part 2: second reading, eulogy or tribute, committal, second hymn, recessional music
For longer services, this panel may carry the eulogy text, a psalm, or lyrics for a second hymn

Back cover (outside rear):

Acknowledgement from the family
Short biography summary (if the obituary is not being separately distributed)
A closing poem or verse
Details of a wake or reception (address, time)
Charitable donation request in lieu of flowers

Denominational variations

Anglican / Church of England. Common Worship is the standard liturgical text. The service typically includes a psalm (often Psalm 23), two Scripture readings, a sermon or homily, the committal, and the Nunc Dimittis. Full orders of service are available from the Church of England’s official resources — the officiant will confirm which prayers and texts to include.

Roman Catholic. A Requiem Mass or Funeral Mass follows the Roman Rite. The program needs to include responses for the congregation (e.g., “Thanks be to God” after readings, “Lord, hear our prayer” after petitions). The Gloria may or may not be included depending on the season. If there is a Mass, a full Liturgy of the Eucharist order will be needed.

Jewish. Orthodox Jewish funerals are typically simple — no flowers, no music, a brief graveside service with El Maleh Rachamim and Kaddish. Programs are not traditional in Orthodox practice. Liberal and Progressive Jewish funerals may include music and printed programs that follow a less formal structure.

Muslim. The janazah prayer is brief, performed before burial, often without a printed program. A memorial gathering held separately (Azza) may use a simple printed sheet with Quranic verses and a timeline of the deceased’s life.

Hindu. The antyesti (cremation rite) varies by regional and family tradition. Programs, where used, often include Sanskrit verses, a garland or floral motif on the cover, and details of subsequent memorial rites (Shradh, typically 13 days later).

Humanist. No prescribed liturgy. The program is designed entirely around the individual — their favourite music, personal readings, specific memories. This gives the most creative freedom and also requires the most planning from the family and the celebrant.

Paper and printing choices

Paper stock. For a bi-fold A5 program, 160–200gsm silk or gloss cardstock is standard. Matt finish is increasingly preferred for its more sombre, tactile quality. White or cream are most common. Coloured stock (pale blue, green, or lavender) can be used to reflect the deceased’s preferences.

Sizes. In the UK, A5 bi-fold (folded from A4) is standard. A4 single-sheet is used for simpler programs. In the US, half-letter (5.5”×8.5”) bi-fold or letter (8.5”×11”) trifold are typical.

Printing at home. Print at 600dpi or higher on laser for the sharpest result. Inkjet on coated paper works but takes longer to dry — allow 30 minutes before folding. Print a test sheet before the full run.

Print services. UK: Solopress, Instantprint, Moo.com (premium), your local funeral director (markup typically 50–100%). US: FuneralOne (specialised), Overnight Prints, Vistaprint, or local funeral director.

Timing. Most online print services offer 48-hour standard and 24-hour express turnaround. Order before noon for next-day delivery in the UK from most major services. Do not leave this until the morning of the service.

Common mistakes

Mistake 1: Typos in names and dates. These are visible to hundreds of people and impossible to correct once printed. Check every name (including the deceased’s) against official documents. Check all dates against the death certificate. Have someone else proof it after you have finished.

Mistake 2: Low-resolution photograph. A blurry photo printed at A5 size looks terrible and upsets families. If the only available photo is a low-resolution phone snapshot, use photo editing software to reduce the print size of the image rather than stretching it.

Mistake 3: Omitting the officiant’s name. The program is part of the permanent family record. The officiant’s name should appear.

Mistake 4: Wrong hymn version. “Amazing Grace” in 4/4 time (the traditional version) and “Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)” (the Chris Tomlin modern version) are different songs. If the organist is playing one version and the program has the words to another, the congregation cannot follow. Confirm the version with the music director.

Mistake 5: No wake details. Mourners who cannot stay for the committal, or who join late, often want to attend the wake. Omitting the address and time means they are leaving to check their phones for a message — a distraction during the service.

Worked example

Margaret Ellen Harrington (1938–2026)
Friday 1 May 2026, 14:00
All Saints Church, Dorchester
Officiant: Rev. Thomas Albright

Order of Service

Processional: “Abide with Me” (organ)
Welcome and opening prayer — Rev. Thomas Albright
Psalm 23 (read responsively)
Hymn: “How Great Thou Art” (verses 1, 2, 4)
Reading: 1 Corinthians 13:4–13 — read by granddaughter Emma Harrington
Eulogy — delivered by son Michael Harrington (10 minutes)
Reading: “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” by Mary Elizabeth Frye — read by daughter Catherine Wells
Prayers of intercession — Rev. Thomas Albright
Hymn: “Jerusalem” (all verses)
Committal and blessing
Recessional: “Jerusalem” (reprise, organ)

Acknowledgements: The Harrington family thanks everyone who has offered their support, prayers, and kindness. A light reception will follow at Dorchester Town Hall, West Wing (DT1 1HG), from approximately 15:30.

In lieu of flowers, donations to Dorchester Hospice (dorchesterhospice.org.uk) are gratefully received.

Format: A5 bi-fold, cream 200gsm cardstock, matt laminate cover. Photo: formal portrait from Margaret’s 80th birthday. Printed 200 copies (final attendance: 167). Printed at Solopress, ordered 3 days prior.