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 can feel confusing—some moments feel slow, but the planning moves 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. Templates reduce technical decisions when your mind is already full, and that can make the process feel more manageable.

If you want a calm starting point 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 accurate content, keep your layout readable, prepare photos for print, proof names and dates, and share a digital program for relatives who cannot attend in person.

What a funeral program template is and why it saves time

A funeral program template is a pre-designed file created specifically for funerals, memorial services, and celebrations of life. It includes the panel layout and spacing needed for printing and folding, plus organized areas for the sections most families include. Many templates provide a cover design for the person’s name and dates, interior space for the order of service, a place for an obituary or life tribute, and an acknowledgments section. Some layouts also include photo placeholders so you can insert images without guessing crop sizes or alignment.

Templates help most because they reduce decision fatigue. During grief, choices pile up quickly, and even small tasks can feel draining. A good template gives you a reliable structure so you can focus on what matters: accuracy, clarity, and words that feel true. The goal is not to make something flashy. The goal is to create something guests can read easily, follow confidently during the service, and keep as a respectful memento afterward.

Choose your format first so you do not redo your work

Before you edit, decide on the format based on how much content you plan to include. A bifold program is the most common option because it is familiar, quick to print, and fits the essentials well. It uses one letter-size sheet printed on both sides and folded in half. A bifold typically includes a cover photo, the person’s name and dates, an order of service, a short obituary or life tribute, a few photos, and a closing acknowledgment.

If you have multiple readings, several musical selections, song lyrics guests will follow, or a longer tribute, a booklet format may be a better fit. Booklets prevent the most common design issue: shrinking font sizes to make everything fit. Readability matters during a service, especially in varied lighting. If you find yourself compressing paragraphs and reducing text size, it is usually better to move to a format with more space or to shorten the content rather than forcing it into a tight layout.

Trifolds can be beautiful and compact, but they require extra proofing because panel order matters. If you choose a trifold, print a proof copy early and fold it exactly as it will be handed out. Confirm the cover panel is correct, the inside panels follow the ceremony sequence, and the back panel contains the final message, acknowledgments, or donation information you want guests to see.

A fast content checklist that prevents last-minute scrambling

Gather 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 first. Choose one clear cover portrait and two to five supporting photos. Save everything in a single folder so you can proof names and dates without searching through texts and emails.

Video guidance

Format comparison

Use the table below to match your content to a format that keeps everything readable. In most cases, the best program is the one that looks calm and organized 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 guided and cared for

Guests usually look for a few core sections. The cover typically includes the person’s name, dates, and a phrase like “In Loving Memory” or “Celebrating the Life.” Some 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 helps guests follow along and can feel comforting, especially for those attending a service style that is unfamiliar.

The obituary or life tribute is where the program becomes personal. Some families prefer a traditional obituary with biographical details and family names. Others choose a warmer tribute that focuses on the person’s character, relationships, and the way they made others feel. Two to four paragraphs is often enough to sound sincere without feeling overwhelming to write. If multiple relatives want to contribute, consider collecting their memories and then combining them into one consistent voice so the program reads smoothly from beginning to end.

An acknowledgments section offers a simple way to thank guests for support. If you include donation information or a memorial fund, keep it clear and brief so it does not distract from the tribute. Optional items may include pallbearers, honorary pallbearers, clergy, musicians, or a closing message. The priority is accuracy, because this printed piece often becomes part of the family record.

Editing tips that keep the design clean

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 a section instead of shrinking the font dramatically. Use consistent headings and spacing. Avoid switching fonts repeatedly. Even when the template offers many design options, consistency makes the page feel calmer and more intentional.

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, it often looks better inside at a smaller size rather than on the cover where darkness becomes more noticeable.

Proofing: the step that protects your family from preventable errors

Names and dates are where mistakes happen most, especially when the timeline is tight 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 missing letters, swapped digits, or venue details 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. Check 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 printing and fast 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 a proof before the full run. That one proof can prevent 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 your 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, so everyone sees the same order of service, photos, and wording. That can create a sense of 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 with a tight deadline. If you’re making a program right now, you’re 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 for a funeral or memorial service. It already has the panel structure and spacing set up, so when you print and fold it, the program reads in the correct order. The template includes placeholders for the name, dates, service location, and the order of service. Many templates include photo boxes that are already sized and aligned, which saves you from guessing crop sizes or trying to line up images manually. The simplest way to avoid errors is to 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. This is the part that helps guests the most, because it shows what will happen and in what sequence—welcome, prayer, readings, remarks, musical selections, and closing. If multiple people are participating, confirm their preferred name spelling, because this program often becomes part of the family record. Next, choose a format that matches the amount of content you have. 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 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 more 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 can 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 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 offers 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 the details that matter most: accurate names and dates, 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.