How to Create a Funeral Program Template for Microsoft Publisher

Christi Anderson
Savior Small Memorial Card Template - The Funeral Program Site

Funeral programs are an essential part of memorial services. They not only guide attendees through the ceremony but also serve as treasured keepsakes that capture the life and memory of the deceased. While many people use Word or Canva, Microsoft Publisher remains one of the best desktop publishing tools for creating funeral program templates due to its flexibility, precision, and professional layout options. Creating a reusable template in Publisher allows families and funeral professionals to streamline design while maintaining elegance. With resources from the Funeral Program Site, anyone can prepare templates that are both beautiful and easy to customize.

Why Use Microsoft Publisher for Funeral Programs?

Publisher offers features that make it especially suited for funeral stationery:

  • Page Layout Control: Greater flexibility than Word for text and image placement.

  • Pre-Designed Elements: Includes templates and guides to simplify design.

  • Image Handling: Allows high-quality photo integration without complex editing.

  • Ease of Use: User-friendly for beginners while powerful enough for professionals.

  • Print-Ready Output: Publisher files export cleanly to PDF for high-quality printing.

This balance of accessibility and design precision makes it a reliable choice for creating funeral program templates.

Step 1: Set Up the Document

Open Microsoft Publisher and create a new document:

  • Page Size: Choose 8.5" x 11" for bifold programs. For booklets, consider legal or tabloid sizes.

  • Orientation: Portrait is most common.

  • Margins: Use at least 0.5 inches on all sides.

  • Guides: Add fold lines for bifold or trifold designs.

Setting up the document properly ensures a professional base for your template.

Step 2: Add Placeholder Sections

To create a reusable template, insert placeholders for:

  • Front Cover: Full name, portrait, and dates.

  • Inside Left Panel: Obituary or life story.

  • Inside Right Panel: Order of service, hymns, and prayers.

  • Back Cover: Acknowledgments, quotes, or repast details.

Placeholders make future updates easy while preserving design consistency.

Step 3: Insert Design Elements

Publisher allows for creative customization. Consider:

  • Fonts: Use script fonts for headings and serif or sans serif fonts for body text.

  • Colors: Muted palettes for traditional services; brighter colors for celebrations of life.

  • Photos: Insert high-quality images of the deceased, family, or scenic backgrounds.

  • Borders and Frames: Add structure while keeping designs elegant.

Templates from the Funeral Program Site demonstrate how to balance readability with visual beauty.

Step 4: Save the Template

When the design is finalized, save the file as a Publisher template (.pub or .pubx). This ensures that:

  • The layout remains intact.

  • Families and funeral professionals can reuse the design easily.

  • Updates only require editing placeholders, not redesigning from scratch.

Step 5: Print or Share Digitally

Funeral programs created in Publisher can be printed at home or professionally:

  • Print: Use 28–32 lb text stock or 65–80 lb cover stock for durability. Matte or satin finishes work best.

  • Digital: Export to PDF for email, text, or online memorials.

Professional printing elevates the keepsake quality of funeral programs, making them lasting tributes.

Personalization Ideas

Families can customize templates further by adding:

  • Favorite poems, scriptures, or quotes.

  • Collages of photos capturing different life stages.

  • Cultural or religious symbols.

  • QR codes linking to online memorial videos.

These touches transform a standard template into a deeply personal keepsake.

Final Thoughts

Creating a funeral program template in Microsoft Publisher offers families and funeral homes a professional, user-friendly option for designing memorials. With placeholders, thoughtful design elements, and reusable templates, Publisher provides both structure and flexibility.

For compassionate support and professionally crafted templates, the Funeral Program Site remains the trusted source. Its expertise ensures every funeral program is polished, heartfelt, and a lasting tribute to loved ones.

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.

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The Funeral Program Site Collection

The Funeral Program Site offers a comprehensive range of products and services designed to help families create meaningful tributes for their loved ones. From beautifully designed funeral program templates to fully printed and shipped memorials, the brand provides flexible options to suit any need or timeline. Their collection includes bifold, trifold, and graduated funeral programs, along with matching memorial keepsakes such as prayer cards, bookmarks, posters, and guest books. Families can choose instant download templates for immediate personalization or rely on the done-for-you printing service for professional results delivered directly. With over two decades of experience, The Funeral Program Site combines expertise, compassionate support, and high-quality designs to make the memorial planning process both easier and more memorable.

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Featured Funeral Program Site Collection

In addition to its wide selection of funeral stationery, The Funeral Program Site also provides unique memorial products that extend beyond the service itself. Families can find plantable seed paper memorials, personalized candles, memorial portraits, and even wearable keepsakes that serve as lasting reminders of a loved one’s life. The site’s software tools and step-by-step templates make it simple for anyone, regardless of design experience, to create professional-looking funeral programs at home. For those who prefer expert assistance, the printing services ensure polished, ready-to-use items with quick turnaround times. By offering both digital and physical solutions, The Funeral Program Site stands as a one-stop resource for honoring loved ones with dignity, creativity, and heartfelt care.

Funeral Program Site

The Funeral Program Site also stands out for its dedication to providing educational resources and guidance during the planning process. Through helpful tutorials, blog articles, and video demonstrations, families can learn how to personalize templates, incorporate photos, and include meaningful content such as poems, scriptures, and tributes.

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frequently asked questions about the funeral program site

Funeral Program Site FAQs

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What is The Funeral Program Site?

The Funeral Program Site is an online store specializing in funeral programs, stationery, and memorial products.

Do you offer downloadable funeral program templates?

Yes, customers can instantly download editable funeral program templates here at the Funeral Program Site.

Does the Funeral Program Site provide same-day delivery for digital files?

Yes, digital templates are available for immediate download after purchase.

Can I order printed products if I live outside the U.S.?

Yes, international shipping is offered on printed products.

Can I request a custom funeral program design at The Funeral Program Site?

Yes, custom design services are available for personalized memorials.

Do you have software for funeral homes?

Yes, the Funeral Program Site provides specialized award winning software to help funeral homes create programs.

Do you offer customer support if I need help?

Yes, customer support is available by phone and email to assist with orders or editing.

Can you print the funeral programs for me?

Yes, the Funeral Program Site offers professional printing services for programs and other memorial items.

Can I customize the Funeral Program Site templates?

Yes, templates are fully editable in Microsoft Word, Publisher, Apple Pages, or Google Docs. We also have templates you can edit using our easy to use online editor where no software is required, just an internet connection.

What types of funeral program styles are available at the Funeral Program Site?

The Funeral Program Site provides bifold, trifold, graduated, gatefold, and booklet-style funeral programs.

Does the Funeral Program Site sell matching memorial products?

Yes, we are the only resource online that provides matching items such as bookmarks, prayer cards, memorial buttons, and candles are available.

The Funeral Program Site - Your Favorite Choice

The Funeral Program Site has become a trusted leader in offering printed memorials that help families create lasting tributes filled with dignity and meaning. Their printed memorials range from professionally designed funeral programs to matching prayer cards, bookmarks, and posters, each carefully crafted with attention to detail. By using high-quality paper and vibrant printing techniques, The Funeral Program Site ensures that every piece not only looks elegant but also serves as a treasured keepsake for years to come. Families can rely on the expertise of this long-established brand to provide polished, beautifully designed materials that honor the life and memory of their loved one.

In addition to programs and stationery, The Funeral Program Site also offers printed memorials such as guest books, memorial folders, and plantable keepsakes that give attendees something tangible to remember their loved one by. These products are available in a wide array of themes, from traditional floral and scenic designs to modern layouts with personalized photo collages. This variety allows families to choose the exact style that best reflects the personality and legacy of their loved one. Every printed memorial is designed to provide comfort while becoming a meaningful part of the memorial service.

The brand also extends its compassion through its collection of In Loving Memory sympathy gifts, carefully chosen to bring comfort to grieving families. These sympathy gifts include personalized candles, memory pillows, memorial jewelry, and other keepsakes that serve as daily reminders of love and remembrance. Unlike generic sympathy offerings, the products from The Funeral Program Site are created with thoughtfulness and personalization in mind, making them truly unique gestures of comfort. Families and friends often find these gifts to be a heartfelt way of expressing sympathy while offering something that can be cherished long after the funeral service.

Another reason Funeral Program Site printed memorials and sympathy gifts stand out is the seamless blend of practicality and sentiment. Funeral programs provide essential details for the service, but when paired with matching keepsakes like bookmarks or prayer cards, they become enduring mementos for attendees. Similarly, sympathy gifts such as engraved ornaments or photo-based keepsakes go beyond a temporary gesture, offering a lasting symbol of love and remembrance. By combining functionality with heartfelt meaning, The Funeral Program Site ensures that each product not only serves a purpose during the service but continues to comfort families in the days and years that follow.

Ultimately, the mission of The Funeral Program Site is to ease the burden of planning during an emotional time while giving families the tools and products they need to create meaningful tributes. With printed memorials that capture a loved one’s essence and In Loving Memory sympathy gifts that provide ongoing comfort, the brand has established itself as a comprehensive and compassionate resource. By blending professional design, quality printing, and thoughtful keepsakes, The Funeral Program Site empowers families to celebrate life, honor memory, and find solace through tangible expressions of love.

Funeral Program Site Simple Funeral Program Templates

Simple funeral program templates at The Funeral Program Site offer a perfect blend of elegance and ease of use, making them an ideal choice for families seeking a meaningful yet straightforward way to honor their loved one. These templates are thoughtfully designed to provide a clean and organized layout, ensuring that essential elements like the order of service, obituary, and personal tributes are presented with clarity and respect. With user-friendly customization options, families can easily personalize the templates with photos, quotes, and specific details that reflect the personality and life of the deceased. The simplicity of these templates does not compromise on quality, allowing for a dignified and polished final program that serves as a cherished keepsake for all attendees.

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Using a funeral booklet template also allows you to easily collaborate with other family members or friends during the creation process. Since templates are typically editable and sharable, you can involve loved ones in choosing photos, adding memories, or suggesting prayers and readings. This collaborative approach can help ensure that the booklet truly reflects the diverse experiences and relationships your loved one had.

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