What a funeral program template is
A funeral program template is a predesigned document created specifically for funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life. The file opens with page layouts, headings, and photo areas already in place so you do not have to design from scratch. Your role is to replace placeholder text with your loved one’s name, dates, service schedule, and tribute content, then insert photos that best represent their life and personality.
These templates typically follow classic formats, such as a folded bulletin or multi-page booklet, that guests recognize and feel comfortable holding. Within those layouts, there is space for essentials like the full name of the deceased, dates of birth and passing, the service date and location, and a short or extended life story. Many designs also include areas for scriptures, poems, songs, and a closing message of thanks, helping you stay organized while you write.
Why families choose templates
In the days just before a service, most families are balancing calls, travel plans, and important decisions while also processing grief. Creating a polished program entirely from scratch can quickly feel like another heavy task. Templates reduce that stress by providing a structure that has already been tested for readability, balance, and printing, so every edit you make builds directly toward a finished, professional-looking piece.
Templates also help maintain consistency between printed and digital versions of your program. The same carefully arranged design can be handed out at the venue, saved as a PDF and emailed to friends, or uploaded alongside an online obituary so distant relatives can follow along. When everyone sees the same wording and layout, whether they are near or far, the service feels more unified and thoughtfully prepared.
Choosing the right template format
One of the first decisions is which overall format works best for the amount of content you wish to include. If the service is relatively brief, with a simple order of events and a concise obituary, a bifold program printed on one sheet of paper is often enough. When you plan to include multiple readings, song lyrics, several photos, and longer written tributes, a booklet-style design with additional pages offers more room and keeps the text easy to read.
Before committing to a layout, it helps to gather your content into a basic text document, even as a rough draft. List the names of speakers, outline the order of service, paste in scriptures or poems you are considering, and type an early version of the obituary or life sketch. Seeing everything in one place makes it easier to judge how many panels or pages you need and prevents last-minute scrambling to fit too much text into too little space.
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Funeral program template format comparison
Different formats suit different types of services and content amounts. The table below summarizes how three of the most common layouts are usually used so you can match your needs to the right structure. Considering folding style, page count, and the number of photos or readings you plan to include will guide you toward a format that feels both comfortable and practical.
| Format | Best For | Typical Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bifold | Most funeral and memorial services | Order of service, obituary, single or small group of photos | Simple, traditional layout that prints easily on letter-size paper; ideal when content is moderate and you want a classic church-style bulletin feel. |
| Trifold | Short services with minimal text | Condensed service details, brief obituary, and a few highlighted quotes or scriptures | Panel positions must be checked carefully; always test-fold a sample to confirm that the cover, inner panels, and back panel appear in the correct order. |
| Booklet | Services with more readings or photos | Extended obituary, multiple images, lyrics, prayers, and acknowledgments | Provides additional space for storytelling without shrinking fonts; ideal for celebrations of life that include several speakers or keepsake-style content. |
Design and editing tips
Once you have chosen a format, you can refine the look and feel of your program to reflect your loved one’s style and the tone of the gathering. A clear, readable font for body text combined with a slightly bolder font for headings often feels polished without being distracting. Gentle borders, soft colors, or subtle background elements can enhance the design, but it is important that every word remains easy to read, even in softer lighting.
Photos often carry the deepest emotional impact within a program. Many families select one favorite portrait for the cover that offers instant recognition for guests as they arrive. Inside, smaller photos can highlight different life stages, family gatherings, travels, or hobbies, helping to tell a fuller story at a glance. When cropping images, keep faces centered and avoid cutting off important details so expressions remain clear at the size you plan to print.
Content to include in a program
Most programs follow a familiar structure that you can adapt to your own needs. The front typically includes the name of the person being honored, dates of birth and passing, and sometimes a short phrase, verse, or quote that feels especially fitting. Inside, the order of service lists the main elements in sequence—welcome, readings, songs, eulogy, reflections, and closing—so guests can follow along comfortably and know what to expect.
Families often include a written life sketch or obituary that highlights meaningful relationships, milestones, and personal qualities. Even a few concise paragraphs can share a great deal about the person’s character and the way they are remembered. Additional sections can hold scriptures, prayers, poems, or song lyrics that will be used during the service. A closing note of thanks gives you a place to acknowledge the support, presence, and kindness of friends and relatives, and some templates offer optional spaces for listing pallbearers, officiants, musicians, or other contributors.
Printing and paper considerations
A well-crafted template is built with printing in mind so that margins, folds, and image placement line up correctly on common printers. Before printing a full stack of programs, it is wise to create a single proof copy using the same paper you plan to use for the final run. This test copy allows you to verify that colors look natural, fonts are comfortable to read, and no important details sit too close to the edges or fold lines.
The paper itself influences how your program feels in the hand and how it holds up over time. Standard copy paper is often sufficient for simple services and home printers, while a slightly heavier stock adds a more substantial, keepsake quality. For folded designs, especially on thicker paper, pre-scoring or folding carefully along a ruler can prevent cracking and keep edges crisp. Saving your finished design as a high-resolution PDF helps ensure that what you see on screen is exactly what prints at home or at a professional shop.
Digital sharing and remote guests
Not everyone who wants to participate in a service can always be present in person. A template-based program converts easily to digital formats, making it simple to share with those joining by livestream or from another location. Once you finalize your layout, you can export it as a PDF and send it via email, post it with an online obituary, or share it privately in a family group so relatives can download and view it on their own devices.
Providing both printed and digital options is also helpful for accessibility. Some guests value holding a physical program they can tuck into a Bible, journal, or memory box, while others may prefer zooming in on text on a tablet or phone. Because both versions come from the same template, you do not have to maintain separate designs; one carefully prepared file serves all your guests, wherever they are and however they choose to participate.
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Helpful links
When you are ready to explore design options or need additional tools, these links provide quick access to core resources from The Funeral Program Site as well as directions for in-person gatherings.
Funeral Program Templates by The Funeral Program Site
The Funeral Program Site offers a wide selection of coordinated designs so families can choose a style that reflects personality, culture, and faith while remaining practical to edit and print. From traditional and formal layouts to scenic, floral, and contemporary themes, each template is crafted to balance visual warmth with readability. Once you select the design that feels right, you can concentrate on the names, stories, and images that best honor the life being remembered, knowing that the underlying structure will help everything come together smoothly.