Order of Service Template: Examples, Wording & Printing Tips

Order of Service Template: Examples, Wording & Printing Tips

Creating a funeral order of service can feel overwhelming at a time when emotions are high. This small booklet or card is much more than a schedule of events—it’s a way to guide guests through the ceremony while leaving them with a meaningful keepsake.

If you’re looking for an order of service template, sample wording, or advice on design and printing, this guide will help. GD Print has been helping create order of services for 40+ years, to truly honour the memory of that special person.

What Is an Order of Service for a Funeral?

A funeral order of service is a printed programme that outlines the format of the ceremony. It ensures guests can follow along and also serves as a lasting memento of your loved one’s life. They are often printed on high quality paper and kept as a keepsake for people to look back on after the funeral or in the future. Whilst all order of services are different, typical sections in an order of funeral service include:

    •    Cover page with name, dates, and a photo

    •    Welcome or opening words

    •    Hymns, songs, or readings

    •    Tributes or eulogies

    •    Closing words or commendation

    •    Committal or burial details

    •    Thank you message and reception information

Order of Service Funeral Samples & Templates

To help you get started, here are some common funeral order of service templates:

Modern Funeral Order of Service Templates -  Minimal, clean design with quotes, poems, or photos. Example

Traditional Order of Service Template Funeral – Includes hymns, prayers, and a structured religious format. Example

Religious Template for Order of Service for Funeral – Tailored to Christian, Catholic, or other religious ceremonies. Example

Non-religious Order of Service for Funeral – Uses poems, readings, or personal stories instead of prayers. Example

Each order of service funeral example can be customised to reflect the personality and wishes of your loved one.

Wording Ideas for a Funeral Order of Service

Finding the right words isn’t easy and summarising somebody special into a paragraph is hard. Below we have created an order of service for funeral template to help kickstart some of your sections:

Opening line

1.    Celebratory tone

    •    “Today we come together to honour and celebrate the life of [Name], whose love and kindness will never be forgotten.”

    •    “We gather in gratitude for the memories, laughter, and love shared with [Name].”

2.    Reflective tone

    •    “In remembrance of [Name], we pause to reflect on a life lived with grace, dignity, and love.”

    •    “Today we honour the journey of [Name], cherishing the legacy left behind.”

3.    Spiritual/comforting tone

    •    “As we say farewell to [Name], we celebrate the gift of their life and the peace they now hold.”

    •    “Blessed are the memories of [Name], carried with us always.”

4.    Simple & heartfelt tone

    •    “We gather to remember [Name] with love in our hearts and gratitude for the time shared together.”

    •    “This service is a tribute to [Name], whose presence brought light into the lives of many.”

Closing line

1.    Celebratory tone

    • “Forever loved, forever celebrated.”

    • “Your legacy of love and joy lives on in us all.”

2.    Reflective tone

    • “Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.”

    • “Your memory will remain a guiding light for all who knew you.”

3.    Spiritual/comforting tone

    • “May you rest in eternal peace, surrounded by love.”

    • “Until we meet again, may your soul be at peace.”

4.    Simple & heartfelt tone

    • “Forever loved, forever remembered.”

    • “Though absent, you will always be with us.”

Format for Funeral Order of Service

The format for a funeral order of service depends on whether you want a single sheet, a folded card, or a full booklet. Things to consider:

    •    Size – A5 booklets are the most popular, but A6 cards are a simple alternative.

    •    Layout – Choose between one-page order of service funeral samples or multi-page booklets with detailed content.

    •    Design – Colours, fonts, and photographs can add a personal touch.

Example Order of Service Funeral

Here’s a quick outline you can adapt as your own order of service template funeral:

Front Cover

    •    Full name of the deceased

    •    Birth and death dates

    •    Photograph

Inside Pages

    •    Welcome and introduction

    •    Hymns, prayers, or readings

    •    Eulogy or tributes

    •    Closing words

    •    Committal or burial details

Back Cover

    •    Thank you note from the family

    •    Reception details

    •    Favourite poem, verse, or quote

Funeral Order of Service Printing

High-quality order of service printing ensures your booklets look professional and last as keepsakes. At GD Print, we provide:

    •    Fast turnaround for urgent funeral order of service printing

    •    Options for folded cards, stapled booklets, or custom formats

    •    Premium paper and finishes to give your funeral orders of service a lasting feel

We know that planning a funeral often happens under tight timeframes, so our team works to make the order of service funeral template process simple and stress-free. Discover our order of service printing here.

Conclusion

A thoughtfully created funeral order of service provides comfort to guests and ensures the ceremony flows smoothly. Whether you start with an order of service funeral sample or a funeral order of service template, the most meaningful programmes are those that reflect your loved one’s life and personality.

If you need professional funeral order of service printing, GD Print is here to help with quick turnaround, custom templates, and designs tailored to your needs.