What Should You Include in a Funeral Program?

By Clinton Courier | June 26, 2026 |

Planning a funeral or memorial service involves many emotional decisions, and creating the program is one of the most meaningful. A funeral program gives guests a clear guide to the service while also serving as a keepsake that honors the person’s life. It can be simple, formal, religious, creative, or deeply personal, depending on the tone of the gathering. Many families are unsure what to include in a funeral program, especially when they are organizing details during a difficult time. The good news is that a thoughtful program does not need to be complicated. It simply needs to help attendees follow the service and remember the person being honored.

What Is a Funeral Program?

A funeral program is a printed or digital document that outlines the order of events for a funeral, memorial, celebration of life, or graveside service. It usually includes the person’s name, important dates, a photo, service details, and information about readings, speakers, songs, and tributes. Some programs are a single folded page, while others are multi-page booklets with photos, stories, and personal messages. The format depends on the type of service, the amount of content, and the family’s preferences. A funeral program can also help guests participate in prayers, hymns, or shared readings. Most importantly, it gives everyone a meaningful reminder of the person’s life and legacy.

Essential Details to Include

The first section of a funeral program should provide the basic information guests need. This usually appears on the cover or first page and should be easy to read. Include the full name of the person being honored, their birth and death dates, and the date, time, and location of the service. You may also include the name of the officiant, celebrant, funeral home, church, cemetery, or venue. A favorite photo is often placed on the cover to create a personal and welcoming feel. These details help set the tone and make the program feel complete.

Common details to include are:

Full name of the deceased
Birth date and date of passing
Service date, time, and location
Name of officiant or service leader
Funeral home, church, chapel, or venue name
Burial, interment, or reception information
A meaningful photo or image

Order of Service

The order of service is one of the most practical parts of the program. It tells guests what will happen during the ceremony and in what sequence. This section may include a welcome, opening prayer, musical selections, scripture readings, poems, eulogy, reflections, closing remarks, and recessional. For religious services, the order may follow a specific tradition or include congregational responses. For a celebration of life, it may be more flexible and include personal stories, video tributes, or open sharing. Keeping this section organized helps guests feel comfortable and know what to expect.

A typical order of service may include:

Prelude or opening music
Welcome or opening remarks
Prayer, scripture, or reading
Song, hymn, or musical tribute
Eulogy
Family reflections
Poem or special reading
Closing prayer or final blessing
Recessional
Burial, graveside service, or reception details

Obituary or Life Tribute

Many funeral programs include a short obituary or life tribute. This section tells the story of the person’s life in a warm and respectful way. It may include where they were born, their family relationships, education, career, hobbies, values, accomplishments, and special memories. You do not need to include every detail of their life, especially if space is limited. Focus on the qualities, milestones, and relationships that best reflect who they were. A life tribute can be formal, heartfelt, faith-based, or conversational, depending on the family’s wishes.

When writing this section, include details that feel meaningful rather than simply listing facts. Mention the roles they cherished, such as parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, friend, mentor, or community member. You can also highlight passions like gardening, music, cooking, travel, volunteering, sports, faith, or family traditions. If the person had a favorite saying, lesson, or belief, this can be included as well. Keep the tone respectful and authentic. The goal is to help guests remember the person as they truly were.

Photos and Personal Touches

Photos make a funeral program feel personal and memorable. A cover photo is common, but additional images can be included inside or on the back page if space allows. Some families choose a formal portrait, while others prefer a candid photo that captures the person’s personality. You may also include images from different life stages, such as childhood, marriage, family gatherings, military service, career moments, or favorite activities. Make sure photos are clear enough to print well. If the program is digital, you may have more flexibility with photo quality and layout.

Personal touches can make the program more meaningful. Consider adding a favorite quote, scripture, poem, lyric excerpt, prayer, or brief message from the family. You may include symbols that reflect the person’s faith, culture, service, hobbies, or personality. Flowers, doves, crosses, landscapes, candles, military emblems, or nature imagery are common design choices. Keep the design tasteful and easy to read. The best funeral programs balance beauty with clarity.

Family Members and Service Participants

A funeral program often includes the names of close family members and those participating in the service. This may include surviving relatives, those who passed before the deceased, pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, readers, musicians, clergy, celebrants, and speakers. Listing participants helps acknowledge the people who are contributing to the service. It also gives guests a better understanding of the family and community surrounding the person being honored. Be sure to confirm spellings before printing. Small errors can be painful during an already emotional time.

You may want to include:

Surviving family members
Family members who preceded them in death
Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers
Readers, speakers, and musicians
Clergy, officiants, or celebrants
Flower bearers or ushers
Military or fraternal honors participants

Poems, Prayers, Readings, and Songs

Poems, prayers, readings, and songs can bring comfort and meaning to a funeral program. They may be included in full if space allows, or simply listed in the order of service. Religious families may include scripture passages, hymns, or traditional prayers. Non-religious services may feature poems, inspirational readings, song lyrics, or personal reflections. Choose selections that match the person’s beliefs, values, and personality. The right words can help guests reflect, grieve, and celebrate a life well lived.

When choosing readings or songs, think about what the person loved or what would comfort the family. A favorite hymn, spiritual song, poem, or passage can create a deeply personal moment. You can also ask close relatives or friends if they remember any meaningful selections. If lyrics or poems are copyrighted, it is often better to include the title and performer rather than printing the full text. This keeps the program concise and avoids unnecessary complications. A simple title can still carry emotional meaning for everyone present.

FAQ About What to Include in a Funeral Program

What is the most important thing to include in a funeral program?
The most important elements are the person’s name, photo, birth and death dates, service details, and order of service. These help guests understand who is being honored and how the ceremony will unfold.

How long should a funeral program be?
A funeral program can be one page, a folded brochure, or a multi-page booklet. Most families choose a format based on how many photos, readings, and personal details they want to include.

Should a funeral program include an obituary?
Yes, many programs include a short obituary or life tribute. It helps guests reflect on the person’s life, relationships, accomplishments, and legacy.

Can a funeral program be simple?
Yes, a simple program is completely appropriate. A clean design with essential details, a photo, and the order of service can be both elegant and meaningful.

Who usually creates the funeral program?
A family member, funeral home, church office, celebrant, or designer may create the program. The family usually provides the personal details, photos, and final approval.

What to include in a funeral program for a celebration of life?
For a celebration of life, include service details, photos, stories, music, speakers, favorite quotes, and any reception information. The tone can be more personal, uplifting, and informal than a traditional funeral.

Acknowledgments and Thank-You Messages

Many families include an acknowledgment section near the end of the funeral program. This is a short message thanking guests for their prayers, support, visits, meals, flowers, cards, donations, and acts of kindness. It does not need to name every person individually unless the family wants to recognize specific caregivers, organizations, or service providers. A few sincere sentences are enough. This section can also include information about memorial donations, charities, or causes that were important to the person. If there is a reception after the service, include the location and invitation here as well.

A simple acknowledgment might say: “The family wishes to express sincere gratitude for your love, prayers, and support during this difficult time. Your kindness has brought comfort and strength.” You can personalize this message by mentioning the care team, church family, neighbors, friends, or relatives who offered special support. If donations are preferred instead of flowers, state the organization clearly. Include any website or mailing information only if needed. Keep the wording warm, brief, and easy to understand.

Final Tips for Creating a Meaningful Funeral Program

Before printing, review the entire program carefully for spelling, dates, names, and service details. Ask another family member or trusted friend to proofread it, because mistakes are easy to miss during a stressful time. Make sure the font is readable, the photos are clear, and the layout is not overcrowded. Choose a tone that reflects the person’s life, whether that is traditional, spiritual, joyful, simple, or deeply personal. A funeral program does not have to be perfect to be meaningful. It only needs to honor the person with care, clarity, and love.