How to Create a Funeral Order of Service Booklet
Creating a funeral Order of Service can feel difficult when there is already so much to organise. A carefully prepared booklet guides guests through the ceremony and often becomes a keepsake for family and friends.
This guide explains what to include, how to arrange the pages and what to check before sending the booklet to print.
What should a funeral Order of Service include?
Every service is different, but most booklets follow a simple front cover, ceremony and back-page structure.
Front cover
The full name of the person
A heading such as “In Loving Memory of”
A photograph
Dates of birth and death
The service date, time and location
Inside pages
Entrance and exit music
Welcome or opening words
Readings, poems, prayers or hymns
Eulogy or personal tribute
Committal, blessing and closing words
Back page
A thank-you message from the family
Wake or refreshment details
Charity donation information
A favourite quote or short verse
A final photograph
Your funeral director, celebrant, minister or place of worship can usually help confirm the correct running order for the ceremony.
How many pages will you need?
The total number of booklet pages must be divisible by four because each folded sheet creates four finished pages.
One folded sheet with a front cover, two inside pages and a back cover. Suitable for a short and simple service.
A popular choice with room for the full ceremony, photographs, hymns, readings and a closing message.
Useful for longer services containing several readings, hymns, photographs, tributes or additional memories.
A six-page document would need two additional blank pages to create an eight-page booklet. Blank pages can be added where necessary.
Keep the design clear and easy to read
A calm, uncluttered layout usually works better than a design containing too many decorative elements.
Use a clear font for readings, prayers and hymns
Use at least 12pt text for the main wording
Use good contrast between wording and backgrounds
Leave comfortable space around the page edges
Avoid placing wording too close to the centre fold
Keep colours, borders and photographs consistent
Choosing photographs
Use the clearest original photograph available rather than a small screenshot copied from social media or a messaging app.
Older photographs can still print beautifully, but very small or heavily compressed images may appear blurred when enlarged.
Check that important faces are not positioned too close to a trimmed edge or across the centre fold.
Silk or uncoated paper?
Coated silk
Silk paper is smooth and white with a slight sheen. It produces clear photographs and strong colours and is the most popular finish for Orders of Service.
Uncoated
Uncoated paper has a natural, slightly textured finish. It creates a softer and more understated appearance and is easier to write on.
How to prepare the file
Supply individual A5 or A4 pages in normal reading order.
Do not arrange two pages onto one sheet or create printer spreads.
The PDF page count should match the number of finished booklet pages.
Add 3mm bleed where photographs, borders or backgrounds print to the edge.
Keep names, wording and important details at least 4mm inside the finished edge.
A press-quality PDF is preferred. Files created in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Publisher or Canva should be carefully checked after exporting to PDF.
Check the PDF proof carefully
We check the file for print suitability and send a PDF proof before printing. Please check:
Names and dates
Service time and location
Readings, hymns and wording
The order of every page
Photographs and page layout
The final page count
Our file check does not include proofreading. Ask another family member or the funeral director to check the complete proof before it is approved.
Turnaround time
The usual printing turnaround is approximately 2–3 working days from approval of the PDF proof.
Faster or same-day collection may be possible for a print-ready file. Contact us before ordering when the service date is close.
Collection and delivery
Booklets can be collected from our West Drayton print shop or delivered directly to your home, funeral director or service venue.
Allow enough time for proof checking, printing and delivery before the day of the service.
Other memorial printing
We can also print matching memorial cards, bookmarks and large photographs or welcome signs for display at the service or wake.
Print a funeral Order of Service
Order online using your required page count, paper and quantity. We will check the file and send a PDF proof before printing.
Order an Order of Service
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