How to Create a Funeral Folder Template
Christi Anderson
Funeral folders are among the most versatile and meaningful pieces of funeral stationery. Sometimes called memorial folders, they serve as both a guide to the service and a keepsake for attendees. These folded documents provide room for essential details such as the order of service, obituary, photos, tributes, and acknowledgments. Unlike single-sheet flyers, funeral folders offer additional space while remaining manageable in size. Creating a reusable funeral folder template allows families and funeral professionals to streamline the process, ensuring polished, dignified results every time. With resources from the Funeral Program Site, anyone can design folders that combine elegance, structure, and heartfelt personalization.
Why Funeral Folders Are Important
A funeral folder is both practical and sentimental. It organizes the flow of the service for attendees while also serving as a keepsake. Guests often save folders long after the service, keeping them in albums, Bibles, or memory boxes. They offer:
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Guidance: A clear outline of the ceremony.
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Personalization: Space for photos, scripture, or poems.
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Keepsake Value: A tangible remembrance of the day and the loved one.
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Flexibility: Enough room to accommodate various service elements.
For families, the folder provides comfort by capturing both the structure and emotions of the day.
Step 1: Choose the Format
Funeral folders are typically created in a bifold format:
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8.5" x 11" folded in half: The most common size, creating four panels.
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Legal or Tabloid Sizes: Larger formats for extended obituaries, tributes, or photo collages.
The format depends on the amount of content and the style of service.
Step 2: Set Up the Document
In your preferred software (Word, Publisher, InDesign, Canva):
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Page Size: Match the chosen format.
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Margins: At least 0.5 inches on all sides.
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Guidelines: Add fold markers to help align text and images.
This setup ensures a polished, print-ready design.
Step 3: Add Placeholder Sections
A reusable template should include placeholders for:
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Front Cover: Full name, portrait, dates, and a title like “In Loving Memory.”
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Inside Left Panel: Obituary or life story.
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Inside Right Panel: Order of service with music, readings, and tributes.
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Back Cover: Acknowledgments, repast details, or a favorite scripture.
Placeholders make it easy to update information while maintaining structure.
Step 4: Design with Elegance
Funeral folders should balance design with readability. Consider:
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Fonts: Script fonts for headings, serif or sans serif for body text.
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Colors: Soft tones for traditional services; brighter palettes for celebrations of life.
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Images: Scenic backgrounds, floral motifs, or faith-based symbols.
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Layout: Ensure enough white space to avoid overcrowding.
Templates from the Funeral Program Site are carefully designed to maintain this balance, combining beauty with practicality.
Step 5: Save the Template
Once the design is complete, save it as a template file:
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Word:
.dotx -
InDesign:
.indt -
Canva/Google Docs: Duplicate and reuse
This allows for future use without altering the original.
Step 6: Print Professionally
Funeral folders should be durable and polished. For best results:
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Use 28–32 lb text stock or 65–80 lb cardstock.
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Print in full color for photos and backgrounds.
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Choose matte or satin finishes for readability.
Professional printing ensures the folders are consistent, polished, and worthy of keepsake quality.
Personalization Ideas
To make folders more meaningful, families may include:
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A favorite prayer, scripture, or hymn.
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Multiple photos or collages.
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Cultural or faith-based symbols.
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A poem or tribute from a family member.
These touches make each folder unique and reflective of the loved one’s life.
Final Thoughts
Creating a funeral folder template allows families and funeral professionals to simplify the design process while producing beautiful, meaningful results. With placeholders, thoughtful design, and professional printing, funeral folders serve as guides during the service and keepsakes for years to come.
For compassionate guidance and professional designs, the Funeral Program Site remains the trusted source. Its expertise ensures every folder reflects dignity, structure, and heartfelt remembrance.
About the Author
Christi Anderson is the founder of The Funeral Program Site and an author dedicated to helping families create meaningful memorials. With years of experience in funeral stationery and personalized tributes, she has guided thousands of families through the process of honoring their loved ones with dignity. Explore her books and resources on her Amazon Author Page.
