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Resource Guide • DIY Templates • Wording • Photos • Printing • Digital Sharing

DIY Funeral Program Templates: A Complete Family Guide to Layout, Wording, Printing, and Sharing

The Funeral Program Site created this guide for families who want a funeral program that feels steady, respectful, and easy to follow, even when everything else feels rushed. When a loss happens, time moves in a strange way—some moments feel slow, but the planning happens fast. You may be handling phone calls, travel details, a venue schedule, relatives with questions, and decisions you never expected to make. A funeral program is a small piece of the day, but it does something meaningful: it welcomes guests, explains what will happen next, and preserves names, dates, and memories in a keepsake many people hold onto for years.

If you are creating the program yourself, you might feel pressure about wording, spacing, photos, printing, and whether it will look “professional.” The good news is that you do not need to be a designer. A template removes the hardest step—building the layout from nothing—and gives you a structure that already fits the fold. Instead of fighting margins and columns, you replace placeholders with real information, add the order of service, and choose photos that reflect the person you are honoring. That is why templates feel like a relief: they reduce technical decisions when your mind is already full.

If you want a calm starting point that you can edit quickly, these funeral program templates can help you move forward without reformatting the page again and again. In the sections below, you will learn how to choose the right format, gather the correct content, keep your layout readable, prepare photos for print, avoid common proofing mistakes, and share a digital program for relatives who cannot attend.

What a funeral program template is and why it saves time

A funeral program template is a pre-designed file created specifically for funerals, memorials, and celebrations of life. It includes the panel structure and spacing needed for printing and folding, plus organized areas for the most common sections families include. Most templates provide a cover layout for a name, dates, and a headline, and interior areas for the order of service, an obituary or life tribute, acknowledgments, and photo placement. Because the file is designed for print, margins are already safe, headings are aligned, and the panel order is set so the program reads correctly after folding.

Templates are helpful because they reduce decision fatigue. Grief can make even small choices feel heavy, and planning can create a constant stream of “quick questions” that never feel quick. A good template gives you a reliable framework so you can focus on what matters: accuracy, clarity, and words that feel true. The goal is not to create something flashy. The goal is to create something guests can read easily and keep with respect.

Choose your format before you start editing

Your format should match your content. A bifold is the most common option because it is familiar, quick to print, and usually provides enough space for the essentials. A bifold uses one letter-size sheet printed front and back and folded in half. It generally fits a cover photo, the person’s name and dates, a clear order of service, a short obituary or life tribute, a few photos, and an acknowledgments message. If your service is traditional and your content is moderate, a bifold is often the best balance of simplicity and meaning.

If you have multiple readings, song lyrics guests will follow, several speakers, a longer tribute, or many photos, a booklet format may be a better fit. Booklets prevent the most common design problem: shrinking text to make everything fit. Readability matters during a service, especially in dim lighting or from a distance. If you find yourself compressing paragraphs, reducing font sizes, or stacking text tightly, that is usually a signal to move to a format with more room or to shorten content.

Trifolds can look beautiful when content is short, but they require careful proofing because panel order matters. If you choose a trifold, print one proof copy early and fold it exactly how it will be handed out. Confirm the cover panel is correct, the inside panels follow the ceremony sequence, and the back panel contains the closing information you want guests to see.

Gather your content in one place first

Collect the exact spelling of the full name, dates of birth and passing, service date and time, venue name and address, officiant name, and the complete order of service (readers, speakers, songs, musicians). Draft the obituary or life tribute in a separate document so you can edit it without disturbing the layout. Choose one clear cover portrait and two to five supporting photos. Keeping everything in one folder reduces errors and last-minute searching.

Video guidance

Format comparison

Use the table below to match your content to the format that keeps everything readable. In most cases, the best program is the one that looks calm on the page. Guests should be able to scan it quickly and follow the service without squinting or searching.

Format Best For Typical Inclusions Helpful Notes
Bifold Most funerals and memorial services Cover, order of service, short tribute, a few photos, acknowledgments Classic, familiar, and quick to print; best for moderate content and tight timelines.
Trifold Short services with minimal text Condensed schedule, brief tribute, quote or verse, small photo set Panel order matters; always print and fold one proof copy before producing multiples.
Booklet More readings, lyrics, photos, or longer tribute content Extended tribute, multiple photos, lyrics, prayers, expanded acknowledgments More space prevents tiny fonts; best when you want a keepsake-focused program.

What to include so guests feel supported

Guests usually look for a few core sections. The cover typically includes a name, dates, and a phrase like “In Loving Memory” or “Celebrating the Life.” Many families add a short scripture, a quote, or one line of poetry. Inside, the order of service lists each part of the ceremony in the sequence it will happen. This is more helpful than many people realize. In grief, guests may feel uncertain about when to stand, when to sit, or what comes next. A clear order of service creates gentle structure.

The obituary or life tribute is where the program becomes personal. Some families prefer a traditional obituary with biographical details and family names. Others prefer a warmer tribute that focuses on the person’s character, relationships, and the way they made others feel. If you are unsure how long it should be, aim for two to four paragraphs that read naturally. You can mention where the person was born, what mattered to them, what they enjoyed, and what people will remember most. You do not need formal language. You need honest words.

An acknowledgments section is a simple way to thank guests for support. If you include donation information or a memorial fund, keep the wording clear and short. Optional items may include pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, clergy, musicians, or a closing message. The most important goal is consistency and accuracy, because names and dates are the details families want preserved correctly.

Design choices that keep the program clean and readable

A program looks polished when it stays readable. Keep body text at a comfortable size, and avoid pushing paragraphs into tight spaces. If you need room, shorten the text instead of shrinking the font. Use consistent headings and spacing. Avoid switching fonts multiple times. Even if the template offers several styles, selecting one heading style and one body style creates a calmer look.

Photos should be chosen with printing in mind. A clear cover portrait helps guests recognize the person immediately. Inside photos can show different seasons of life: family gatherings, milestones, hobbies, and everyday moments. When cropping, keep faces centered and avoid cutting off important features. If a photo is darker, consider placing it inside rather than on the cover, because covers are printed larger and darkness becomes more noticeable.

Proofing: the step that protects your family from preventable errors

Names and dates are where mistakes happen most, and that is normal when the timeline is short and emotions are high. Build a simple proof routine. Print a draft copy early, fold it, and read it slowly from start to finish. Then ask one other person to read it too. Fresh eyes often catch a missing initial, swapped digits in a date, or a venue address typo that you may miss after staring at the page for hours.

Printing with confidence

After your final proof, export a print-ready PDF. PDFs preserve layout so the program prints the way it looks on your screen. Print one proof copy before printing the full quantity. Fold it exactly how it will be handed out. Confirm the cover is correct, the inside panel order matches the service flow, and nothing important sits too close to the fold line. Look at the proof under normal indoor lighting, because that is how guests will see it.

Paper choice depends on time and budget. Standard paper works for home printers and quick turnarounds. Heavier stock feels more like a keepsake and holds up better over time. If using heavier paper, fold carefully to reduce cracking along the fold. If you are using a local print shop, provide the PDF and request one proof before the full run. That simple step prevents costly reprints and last-minute stress.

Digital sharing for relatives who cannot attend

Many families share a digital version so relatives can participate from a distance. Export the program as a PDF and share it via email, text, or a private family group. The benefit of templates is that your printed and digital versions match. Everyone sees the same order of service, photos, and wording, which creates unity even when people cannot be in the same room.

Digital copies also help after the service. People misplace paper programs, but a saved PDF can be shared again, printed later, and kept in a family archive. Save the final file in a clearly labeled folder with the full name and service date so it is easy to find later.

Audio guide

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Audio transcript: Funeral Program Templates (updated for this audio)

Hello, and welcome. You’re listening to The Funeral Program Site, and this audio is here to help you create a funeral program in a way that feels simple, organized, and doable—even if you are working under a tight deadline. If you’re making a program right now, you are probably juggling several things at the same time. You may be coordinating family input, confirming service details, responding to messages, and trying to make decisions while you are still processing the loss. So first, take a breath. You do not need to be a graphic designer to create something meaningful. You need accurate information, a clear structure, and a layout that stays readable. Let’s start with what a funeral program template is. A template is a pre-designed file built specifically for a funeral or memorial service. It already has the panel structure and spacing set up, so when you print it and fold it, the program reads in the correct order. The template includes placeholders for key details like the name, dates, service location, and the order of service. Many templates also include photo boxes that are already sized and aligned, which saves you from guessing crop sizes or trying to line up images manually. Here is the simplest way to avoid errors: gather your content before you edit. You want the exact spelling of your loved one’s full name, including middle initial if your family prefers it. You want the dates of birth and passing, the service date and time, and the venue name and address. Then you want the order of service, and this is the part that helps guests the most. Write it in the same sequence the service will follow—welcome, prayer, readings, remarks, musical selections, and closing. If you have more than one speaker, confirm each person’s preferred spelling, because the program becomes part of the family record. Next, choose the format that matches your amount of content. A bifold program is the most common format because it is simple and familiar. It is one sheet printed front and back, then folded in half. It usually provides enough room for a cover photo, a clear order of service, a short tribute, and a closing acknowledgment. If you have a longer tribute, multiple poems, lyrics people will follow, or many photos, a booklet format may be a better fit because it gives you more space and keeps text readable. Try to avoid shrinking the font just to make everything fit. If guests cannot read comfortably, the program becomes less helpful. Now let’s talk about what guests expect to see. The cover is typically the name and dates, plus a phrase like “In Loving Memory” or “Celebrating the Life.” If you include a quote, keep it short and meaningful. Inside, the order of service should be easy to scan. Guests often use it like a guide, especially if they are unsure when to stand, when to sit, or what comes next. That structure can feel comforting. The tribute or obituary is the most personal section. Some families choose a traditional obituary with biographical details and family names. Others choose a life tribute that focuses on relationships, character, and the way the person made others feel. If you are unsure what to write, aim for two to four short paragraphs that sound honest. You can mention where the person was born, what mattered to them, what they enjoyed, and what people will remember most. You do not need formal language. You need true words. Photos are often the most emotional part of the program. For the cover, choose a clear portrait that feels recognizable and is bright enough to print well. For the inside, add a handful of photos that show different seasons of life—family moments, milestones, hobbies, everyday memories. When you crop, keep faces centered and avoid cutting off important details. If a photo is slightly blurry, it may still work inside at a smaller size, but choose your sharpest image for the cover when possible. Now, proofing. Names and dates are where mistakes happen most, especially when the timeline is tight and emotions are high. Here is a practical routine: read the program out loud from top to bottom. Then ask one other person to read it too. A second set of eyes catches small things: a missing letter, a wrong digit, an incorrect time, or a name that was typed the way it sounds instead of the way it is spelled. When your edits are finished, save a print-ready PDF. A PDF is the safest format for printing because it holds the layout in place. Then print one proof copy and fold it the way you will hand it out. Confirm the cover is correct, the inside panels are in the right order, and nothing important sits too close to the fold. If you are using a print shop, bring the PDF and request one proof before the full run. That single proof prevents expensive mistakes. Finally, remember that your program can be shared digitally. Many families email a PDF to relatives who cannot attend. Others save it in a family archive. A program is not only for the day of the service. It becomes a record that people return to later, especially on anniversaries or quiet moments when they want to remember. If you need more guidance, The Funeral Program Site offers resources that help families create programs that feel clear, respectful, and personal. You do not have to make it perfect. You just have to make it accurate, readable, and true to the person you are honoring. Thank you for listening.

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Helpful links

These links take you to key resources, including the main website, the funeral programs collection page, and Google Maps for directions and planning.

Coordinated styles and practical support from The Funeral Program Site

DIY templates are most helpful when they are easy to edit and still look polished when printed. The Funeral Program Site provides designs in a wide range of styles, including traditional, floral, scenic, modern, and faith-based options. Families can choose a look that matches the tone of the service, then focus on what matters most: accurate details, readable text, and photos that feel like the person being honored.

If you feel stuck near the finish line, return to three priorities. First, keep the text readable. Second, verify every name and date. Third, choose a cover photo that feels warm and recognizable. When those three things are right, your program will feel meaningful to guests, even if you created it quickly. Save the final PDF in a safe place, because many families later print extra copies for relatives or keep one clean copy for a memory box.