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Resource Guide • Templates • Editing • Printing

Funeral Program Templates: A Complete Guide for Families

Planning a funeral or memorial service often comes together quickly at a time when hearts are heavy and decisions feel overwhelming. A thoughtfully prepared program gives guests a clear outline of what to expect, honors the life being remembered, and becomes a keepsake that families can hold onto for years. Rather than starting from a blank document, many people find comfort in working from professionally designed funeral program templates that gently guide each step of the process.

The Funeral Program Site specializes in organized, easy-to-edit files that already include correct sizing, page order, and margin spacing. This means you can focus on names, dates, photos, and stories instead of wrestling with columns or guessing how the pages should fold. The sections below walk through key decisions—from choosing a format to printing and sharing—so families can move through this part of planning with as much calm and clarity as possible.

What a funeral program template is

A funeral program template is a ready-made document that includes page layouts, sample text, and designated spaces for photos, all set up to be customized with your own information. Instead of designing from scratch, you open the file, replace placeholder wording with your details, and insert images that represent your loved one. The structure is already complete, so the file stays aligned and properly formatted as you work.

These templates are built around familiar formats that guests recognize, such as bifold bulletins, trifolds, or multi-page booklets. Each layout reserves room for essentials like the full name of the deceased, dates of birth and passing, the order of service, an obituary or life story, and a closing note of thanks. By following a guided framework, it becomes much easier to be thorough without feeling overwhelmed by design choices.

Why families choose templates

During the days leading up to a service, families are often handling calls, travel arrangements, and important decisions in a very short window of time. Designing a polished printed piece from the ground up can feel like too much to manage. Templates ease that pressure by offering an underlying design that has already been tested for clarity, balance, and print readiness, so you are never starting at a blank screen.

Using a template also keeps printed and digital versions of the program consistent. The same layout can be used for copies handed out at the service, a downloadable PDF shared in email, or a file posted with an online obituary. When the design remains unified across formats, guests—whether in the chapel or joining remotely—receive the same clear, respectful presentation of the service details.

Choosing the right template format

One of the earliest decisions is which overall layout best fits the amount of content you plan to include. Shorter services with a brief order of events and a concise obituary may fit comfortably into a simple bifold design. Services that include multiple readings, several musical selections, and longer tributes may benefit from a booklet-style template that offers more pages and breathing room for text.

Before settling on a format, it can help to gather your content in a basic document: names, dates, the schedule for the service, and any Scriptures, poems, or song lyrics you are considering. Seeing everything in one place gives a realistic sense of how much space you will need so you can choose a layout that accommodates the material without forcing the font size to become uncomfortably small.

Video guidance

Funeral program template format comparison

The table below outlines how common program formats are typically used. While each design can be adapted to your specific needs, understanding the strengths of every option helps you choose a structure that supports the length and style of your service. Considering page count, folding style, and the volume of content together will lead to a smoother editing and printing experience.

Format Best For Typical Use Notes
Bifold Most funeral and memorial services Order of service, obituary, single or small group of photos Simple, familiar layout that is easy to edit and print on standard paper; ideal when content is moderate and a clean, traditional presentation is desired.
Trifold Short services with minimal text Condensed service details, brief obituary, and a few key highlights or quotes Panel order and folding direction matter; always run a test print to ensure the front, inside, and back panels appear in the correct sequence when folded.
Booklet Services with more readings or photos Extended obituary, multiple images, tributes, song lyrics, prayers, and acknowledgments Offers generous space without forcing tiny text; a good choice for celebrations of life with rich storytelling, timelines, or additional keepsake content.

Design and editing tips

Once you have chosen a format, the next step is to personalize fonts, colors, and photos in a way that keeps the program attractive but easy to read. Selecting one main font for body text and a simple coordinating style for headings often creates a more polished look than using many different typefaces. Background images or patterns should remain subtle so they do not compete with the legibility of the words, especially in settings where lighting may be low.

Photos are often the emotional center of the piece, so choose images that are clear, well lit, and representative of how you remember your loved one. A single portrait on the cover can create an immediate sense of connection, while additional snapshots can be placed inside to show different seasons of life, hobbies, or cherished relationships. Cropping carefully so faces are centered and expressions are easy to see will make the printed program feel more personal and inviting.

Content to include in a program

While no two services are identical, many programs share a similar core structure. Most begin with the full name of the deceased, dates of birth and death, and the location, date, and time of the service. The order of service then lists the sequence of events—such as musical selections, readings, a eulogy, and moments of reflection—so guests can follow along comfortably.

Many families also include an obituary or life sketch, favorite Scriptures or poems, and a brief acknowledgment thanking friends and relatives for their support. Some templates provide optional sections for listing pallbearers, officiants, or special contributors. If there will be a graveside service or reception afterward, it can be helpful to include directions or a short note about where guests are invited to gather next.

Printing and paper considerations

A well-designed template is built to print clearly on home printers, office equipment, or through a professional print shop. Before committing to a full run, it is wise to print a single test copy on the same type of paper you plan to use for the final programs. This proof allows you to confirm that margins, colors, and font sizes appear as expected and that no important text is too close to the edge or fold.

The paper you choose influences the feel of the finished piece. Standard copy paper can work for simple services, while a slightly heavier stock adds a more substantial, keepsake quality. If your program will be folded, especially in thicker paper, scoring or pre-folding can prevent cracking along the spine. Saving a final, high-resolution PDF file ensures you can reprint later or share the design easily with a print provider.

Digital sharing and remote guests

Increasingly, families choose to share a digital version of the program with those who cannot attend in person. A template-based layout converts smoothly into a PDF that can be emailed, linked from an online obituary, or offered as a download on a memorial page. Relatives who join a livestream can follow the same readings, songs, and order of events as those seated at the venue.

Providing both printed and digital options can be particularly meaningful for distant family members or guests with accessibility needs. Some people appreciate being able to zoom in on text on a device, while others value the comfort of holding a printed program. A single, flexible template supports both preferences without requiring separate designs.

Audio guide

Audio transcript

Welcome, and thank you for spending a few moments learning about funeral program templates from The Funeral Program Site. This short guide is designed to help you understand how a ready-made layout can support you as you plan a meaningful service, even if you have never created a program before. A funeral program template is simply a pre-arranged design that shows you where your information will go. Instead of beginning with a blank document, you open a file that already includes spaces for a photo, the full name of your loved one, dates, an order of service, and a written tribute or obituary. Your role is to replace the placeholder text with real details, and the template takes care of margins, spacing, and page order behind the scenes. The first step is to gather the essentials: names, dates, the time and location of the service, and the names of people who will participate. Once you enter this information, the layout starts to come alive and you can see where there is room for extras such as Scripture, poetry, song lyrics, or personal messages from family members. Because the design is structured, you can add content without worrying that everything will shift out of place. Next, choose one or more photos that feel especially meaningful. Many families select a favorite portrait for the front cover and then add a few smaller images inside that highlight milestones, hobbies, or special relationships. The template makes it easy to drop these photos into place and adjust the crop so faces are centered and expressions remain clear, even when printed at a smaller size. As you review your text, read it slowly and check spelling, dates, and names with another family member whenever possible. If the program begins to look crowded or hard to read, consider simplifying a paragraph or moving longer items, such as full song lyrics, to an inside page or a booklet-style layout with more space. A calm, open design will feel more comfortable for guests to hold and read during the service. Before printing, always create a final proof copy. Save your finished work as a PDF and print a single sample on the same paper you plan to use for the full set. Look closely at the folds, panel order, and alignment of front and back pages. This single step can prevent common issues and helps ensure that what guests receive looks exactly the way you intended. After the service, many families keep one or two programs in a memory box, album, or frame. Because the template is saved on your computer, you can reprint copies later or send a digital version to relatives who were not able to attend. In this way, the design you created once continues to offer comfort and connection long after the day of the gathering. Above all, remember that your program does not have to be elaborate to be meaningful. A simple, clearly organized layout, filled with honest words and a few carefully chosen photos, can become a powerful tribute. Our goal at The Funeral Program Site is to provide templates that make the technical process easier so you can focus on honoring a unique and irreplaceable life.

Helpful links

When you are ready to explore design options or need additional tools, these links offer quick access to core resources from The Funeral Program Site as well as directions for in-person services.

Funeral Program Templates by The Funeral Program Site

The Funeral Program Site offers a wide range of coordinated designs so families can choose a style that reflects personality, faith, or favorite colors while still fitting within a clear, printable structure. From traditional themes to scenic, floral, or modern looks, each template is crafted to balance visual warmth with readability and ease of use. Once you select a design, you can focus on filling the pages with the words and images that best tell the story of a life well lived.