What Should a Funeral Order of Service Include? (With Examples)

1) The essentials to include in any order of service

At its heart, your booklet should do two things: set the tone, and help people follow along without worry. These are the sections most families include:

• Front cover
  The person’s full name, life dates, a photograph (optional but common), date and time of the service, venue(s), and the name of the officiant or celebrant. Many families add a short line such as “A celebration of the life of…”.
• Welcome / opening words
  A brief introduction from the officiant or celebrant. You can note the opening piece of music here too.
• Running order at a glance
  A simple list of what will happen and in what sequence. See examples in Section 2.
• Hymns or music
  Include full lyrics if you expect everyone to join in, or the first verse and chorus if space is tight. For non-religious services, list the track title and artist for any recorded pieces.
• Readings, poems or prayers
  Give the title and author, plus the full text if you want people to read along. This is also where you might include a favourite psalm, poem, or humanist reflection.
• Tributes / eulogies
  A short biography or personal tribute, and the names of speakers.
• Committal
  Words used at the crematorium or graveside. If there’s a separate committal, note where and when it will take place.
• Closing words & blessing
  Final remarks from the officiant or celebrant, and closing music.
• After the service
  Details of the wake/reception, maps or directions, and any donation wishes (e.g. “Donations in memory of…”). A QR code can link to a livestream, online tribute page, or donation link.
• Thank-you note (often back cover)
  A simple message of thanks to attendees, those who sent flowers, or cared for your loved one.

Optional pages

Extra pages are commonly used for photo collages, favourite quotes, expanded eulogies, multiple hymns/readings, or more detailed biographical timelines. If you are still gathering replies, an online funeral RSVP can be linked via QR code on the cover or back page.

2) Example running orders (religious, non-religious, cremation & burial)

Every ceremony is personal. Use these outlines as starting points and adapt as needed.

Christian (church-based) service – example sequence

• Entry music
• Welcome and opening prayer
• Hymn 1 (lyrics printed)
• Reading (e.g., Psalm or Scripture)
• Tribute/eulogy
• Hymn 2
• Address/sermon
• Prayers and the Lord’s Prayer
• Commendation and blessing
• Recessional music
• Committal at crematorium or graveside (if separate), with brief note on logistics

Non-religious / celebrant-led service – example sequence

• Entry music
• Welcome and words of reflection
• Reading or poem
• Life story and tributes (one or more speakers)
• Moment of reflection with music
• Second reading or shared memory
• Committal words (if held in the same venue)
• Closing words and thank-yous
• Exit music and directions to the reception

Cremation service (at the crematorium)

• Entry music
• Welcome and reflection
• Tribute/eulogy
• Reading or prayer (optional)
• Committal and curtain close
• Closing music and exit
  Tip: note any separate church/chapel service on the front cover and keep this crematorium booklet concise.

Burial with graveside committal

• Church/chapel/hall service (as above)
• Procession to the graveside
• Committal words and blessing
• Short hymn or shared reflection
• Thanks and directions to the reception
  Tip: if space allows, include graveside responses so people can join in.

3) Pages, layout and practical choices

Choosing a page count (and what fits where)

Funeral booklets are typically A5 portrait and built in multiples of four pages. Common choices are 4, 8, 12 or 16 pages. As a rule of thumb:

• 4 pages (folded card):
  Front cover; inside spread for running order or a single hymn/reading; back cover for thank-you and reception details.
  Best for simple services or when time is short.
• 8 pages (stapled booklet):
  Cover; welcome & running order; two hymns with full lyrics; one reading; tribute; donations/thanks; back cover.
  A practical middle ground, ideal for most services.
• 12 pages:
  Adds room for longer tributes, extra hymns, or a small photo collage without squeezing the text.
• 16 pages:
  Space for multiple readings, full lyrics, and a larger photo section or timeline of life milestones.

If you’d like flexible, professionally designed layouts you can edit online, explore our collection of classic and photo-led order of service designs. You can add as many photos as you wish, include QR codes for donation links or livestreams, and produce either a printed booklet or a high-resolution PDF for sharing electronically.

What to print, what to link

• Photos & collages: A small collage page can be a comfort and keepsake. For a display board at the venue—or a gift for family—consider creating framed and mounted photo prints from the same images.
• Inviting people: If you still need to notify guests, coordinating with printed funeral announcement cards keeps wording and style consistent.
• Attendance & livestreams: A scannable QR code can link to an online funeral RSVP, wake details, or a streaming page.
• Afterwards: Many families send a short note or card a few weeks later; you’ll find coordinating funeral thank you card templates in matching styles.

Paper, printing and format

Orders of service are available as a 4-page folded card or 8, 12 or 16-page stapled booklets, printed in the UK on FSC-certified card and paper. A digital download option is also available if you need a PDF for email, a livestream QR code, or local printing.

For layouts you can personalise quickly—cover to back page—see our curated funeral order of service templates.