How to Create a Funeral Order of Service in the UK

What Is a Funeral Order of Service?

A funeral order of service is a printed booklet or card given to mourners as they arrive at a funeral or memorial service. It outlines what will happen during the ceremony — the readings, hymns, music, and tributes — so that everyone can follow along and participate.

It also serves as a keepsake. Many people hold onto the order of service for years, long after the flowers have faded. Getting it right matters, but it does not need to be complicated or expensive.

Do You Need One?

There is no legal requirement to have an order of service. Plenty of funerals — particularly direct cremations or small, informal gatherings — proceed without one.

However, most families choose to create one because it:

• Helps mourners follow the ceremony
• Gives everyone the words to hymns and readings
• Provides a lasting memento of the person who died
• Gives the service a sense of structure and intention

If you are planning a funeral and feel overwhelmed, this is one task you can delegate to a family member or friend.

What to Include

A typical funeral order of service includes most or all of the following:

Front Cover

• The person's full name
• Date of birth and date of death
• Date, time, and location of the service
• A photograph (optional but common)

Inside Pages

Section	Description
Welcome or opening words	Usually delivered by the celebrant, minister, or officiant
Hymns	Full lyrics so mourners can sing along
Readings or poems	The title, text, and who is reading
Eulogy	Who is delivering it (the full text is not usually printed)
Musical tributes	Song titles and artists for any recorded music
Prayers or reflections	If it is a religious service, or moments of reflection for secular ceremonies
Committal	A note about the final part of the ceremony

Back Cover

• A thank-you message from the family
• Details of the wake or reception (time and location)
• Any charity donation requests in lieu of flowers
• A favourite quote, verse, or short message

How to Structure the Layout

Most orders of service follow one of two formats:

Single card (A5): Folded once to create four panels. Best for shorter, simpler services. Front cover, two inner pages, back cover.

Booklet (A5, 8 pages): Two sheets of A5 folded and stapled. Better for longer services with multiple hymns and readings.

If in doubt, go with the booklet format — it gives you breathing room and avoids cramming text onto the page.

Design Tips

You do not need to be a designer to create something respectful and attractive. Here are some practical tips:

• Keep it simple. Clean fonts, generous spacing, and a muted colour palette work best. This is not the place for decorative flourishes.
• Use a readable font size. Many mourners will be elderly — 12pt minimum for body text, larger for hymn lyrics.
• Choose one or two colours that feel appropriate. Navy, dark green, burgundy, or simple black and white are common choices.
• Include a photograph if the family agrees. A natural, happy photo is usually preferred over a formal portrait.
• Proofread carefully. Check names, dates, spellings, and song titles. Ask someone else to review it before printing.

Where to Get It Made

You have several options, depending on your budget and timeline:

DIY at Home

Use Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Canva (which has free funeral templates). Print on good-quality card stock using a home printer, or save as a PDF and take to a local print shop.

Cost: Paper and ink only — under £10 for most services.

Online Printing Services

Companies like Vistaprint, Printed.com, and Funeria offer funeral-specific templates. You upload your content, choose a design, and they print and deliver — often within 2–3 working days.

Cost: Typically £30–£80 for 50 copies, depending on paper quality and page count.

Your Funeral Director

Most funeral directors offer order of service printing as part of their package or as an add-on. They handle the design and printing, which removes one task from your list.

Cost: £50–£150 depending on the funeral director and quantity. Ask for a quote — prices vary widely.

Local Print Shops

A local printer can often turn these around quickly, sometimes same-day. Bring your PDF file on a USB stick or email it ahead.

Cost: Varies, but usually competitive with online services.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Ordering too few copies. It is better to have extras than to run out. Order 10–20% more than your expected attendance.
• Forgetting to check hymn lyrics. Hymns often have multiple versions. Confirm which version your church or celebrant uses.
• Leaving it too late. If using an online printer, allow at least 5 working days. If doing it yourself, aim to finalise the content 3–4 days before the service.
• Not including the wake details. Mourners often ask "Where are we going afterwards?" Print it on the back cover.

A Word About Digital Options

Some families now share a digital order of service alongside or instead of a printed version — a PDF sent by email or a link shared via a messaging group. This can work well for mourners who cannot attend in person, or as a backup if printing timelines are tight.

Tools like GetPassage can help you organise the many tasks involved in planning a funeral, including keeping track of readings, music choices, and service details — so nothing falls through the cracks during an incredibly difficult time.

It Does Not Have to Be Perfect

If you are putting together an order of service for someone you love, you may feel pressure to make it perfect. But the truth is, the people sitting in those seats are not judging the font or the paper weight. They are there to say goodbye.

A simple, clear, heartfelt order of service is more than enough. What matters is that it honours the person who died — and helps everyone present share in that moment together.