How to Make a Funeral Program

A funeral program is a printed document handed to guests at a memorial service. It typically includes the name and dates of the person who has passed, the order of events for the service, an obituary or life summary, and sometimes a photo, poems, or acknowledgements from the family. Creating one does not require professional design skills. This guide walks you through the entire process, from deciding what to include to printing and folding the finished program.

Step 1: Choose a Layout

The layout determines how the program folds and how many panels you have to work with. The four most common options are bifold, trifold, single sheet, and booklet. A bifold program is printed on a single sheet of paper and folded in half once, giving you four panels: a front cover, two inside pages, and a back cover. This is the most traditional format and works well for most funeral and memorial services. It fits neatly in a hand or a small program holder at the service.

A trifold program is folded twice, creating three panels per side for a total of six. This gives you more space and works well for services with a longer order of events or when you want to include additional content like multiple readings or a longer obituary. Trifold programs are common at celebrations of life and less formal services. A single-sheet program is just that: one unfolded page, often printed on both sides. It is the simplest option and works for short services where a brief schedule and a few words of remembrance are sufficient.

A booklet format uses multiple sheets folded and stapled in the center to create an eight-page program. This option gives you the most room and is appropriate for large services, long obituaries, or when the family wants to include multiple photos, extended acknowledgements, or several poems and readings. The choice of layout depends on how much content you have and the formality of the service. If you are unsure, a bifold is a safe and traditional choice.

Step 2: Gather the Content

Before you sit down to design the program, collect everything you want to include. Having the content ready makes the design process much faster. You will need the full name of the person who has passed away, their date of birth and date of death, and a photograph. The photo should be a clear, recent image that the family approves of. If a recent photo is not available, an older photograph that represents the person well is perfectly acceptable. You will also need the order of service, which is the schedule of events during the ceremony. This typically includes musical selections, prayers, scripture readings, the eulogy, and any other planned elements.

The obituary or a brief life summary is usually included on one of the inside panels. If an obituary has already been written for a newspaper or online memorial, you can use that text. Otherwise, a short paragraph covering the person's early life, career, family, and interests is sufficient. You may also want to include the names of pallbearers, a list of surviving family members, acknowledgements thanking people who helped during the illness or after the passing, and a poem, scripture verse, or quote that was meaningful to the person or the family.

Step 3: Create the Program

You have three ways to create your program on this site. The fastest option is the free online funeral program maker. It runs entirely in your browser. You choose a layout, type in the details, upload a photo, arrange the order of service, and download a print-ready PDF. There is no signup, no watermark, and no cost. The maker automatically saves your work as you go, so if you need to take a break, your progress will still be there when you return.

If you prefer to work in a familiar document editor, you can download a free funeral program template for Microsoft Word or a template for Google Docs. These are pre-formatted files with placeholder text that you replace with your own content. Word templates are ideal if you want to work offline or need precise typographic control. Google Docs templates are convenient if multiple family members need to collaborate on the content, since you can share the document and edit it together in real time.

Step 4: Review and Proofread

Before printing, review every part of the program carefully. Check the spelling of names, especially the name of the person who has passed and the names of family members. Verify the dates of birth and death. Read the order of service from top to bottom to make sure the sequence of events is correct and nothing has been left out or duplicated. If the obituary includes specific details like workplace names, school names, or dates of milestones, confirm those are accurate as well.

It helps to have someone who was not involved in writing the content review the program. A fresh pair of eyes will catch errors that you might overlook because you have been reading the same text repeatedly. Pay attention to formatting too. Make sure the text fits within the margins, the photo is not stretched or cropped awkwardly, and the font sizes are consistent. If you are using the online maker, the live preview shows you approximately how the printed program will look, but it is still worth reading through the content one more time.

Step 5: Print and Assemble

For the best results, use standard letter-size or A4 paper depending on your region. Standard copy paper works fine, but slightly heavier paper in the 24 to 32 pound range will feel more substantial and hold up better to handling at the service. If you are printing at home, set your printer to the highest quality setting. If you are using a copy shop or professional printer, they can usually produce better results on heavier or textured paper.

For a bifold program, fold the printed sheet in half along the long edge so the cover is on the front. Use a bone folder or the edge of a ruler to make a crisp fold. For a trifold, fold one side in first, then fold the other side over it. The panels should nest inside each other. For a booklet, stack the printed pages in the correct order, fold the entire stack in half, and staple along the center crease. If you do not have a long-reach stapler, a copy shop can staple booklets for you.