What Should Be Included in an Online Funeral Program?

Online funeral programs have become an essential part of modern memorial services, offering families a flexible, accessible, and elegant way to honor their loved ones. Unlike traditional paper programs, online funeral programs can be viewed on any device, shared instantly, and customized with rich media like video and photos. But what exactly should you include in an online funeral program to ensure it is both meaningful and complete?
The Funeral Program Site provides all the tools needed to create a comprehensive digital memorial. Their easy online editor and curated templates guide users step-by-step through building a professional and heartfelt tribute. Whether you are organizing a virtual service or supplementing an in-person event, knowing what to include in your online program is the key to crafting something timeless and personal.
Core Elements Every Online Funeral Program Should Include
1. Cover Page with Name, Dates, and Photo
The front of your program sets the tone for the entire memorial. It should include the full name of the deceased, their birth and passing dates, and a quality photo that represents them well. Most families also include a short phrase or title, such as “In Loving Memory,” “A Celebration of Life,” or a meaningful quote or scripture.
Design plays a big role here. The Funeral Program Site offers beautiful front cover layouts designed for elegance and clarity. You can preview how this looks in an example online funeral program that demonstrates balance between text and image, using floral, religious, or modern themes depending on the personality of your loved one.
2. Obituary or Life Biography
The obituary or life story is the heart of your online funeral program. It tells who the person was, what they accomplished, who they loved, and what made them unique. This section should highlight major life milestones—education, career, family, hobbies, faith, and personality traits. It's not only informative but deeply personal, providing context and emotional depth to the tribute.
Since online programs are not limited by space like printed ones, you can include a longer version of the obituary and even add special anecdotes or quotes from friends and family. This makes the program more engaging and helps paint a fuller picture of the loved one’s life.
3. Order of Service
Whether the service is religious, non-denominational, or a simple memorial gathering, the order of service outlines how the event will proceed. Common elements include the opening prayer, scripture readings, musical selections, eulogy, personal reflections, and closing remarks or benediction. Listing them in order allows attendees—especially those watching online—to follow along with the ceremony.
The Funeral Program Site includes templates that support easy formatting of these sections. You can use bullet points or time-based sequencing, and even include the names of participants like clergy, speakers, and musicians.
Optional But Meaningful Additions
4. Photo Gallery or Slideshow
Photos speak where words fall short. Including a gallery of cherished images—childhood moments, family milestones, celebrations, or simple candid snapshots—adds warmth and humanity to the program. Most online funeral programs today feature embedded slideshows or scrollable photo sections to allow attendees to visually engage with memories.
The Funeral Program Site editor allows you to upload multiple images, adjust sizes, and position them naturally throughout the program. These visuals transform the program from a document into an emotional experience.
5. Memorial Poems or Scriptures
Inserting poems, scripture readings, or spiritual reflections adds literary and emotional depth to your program. These pieces serve to comfort, inspire, and honor the tone of the memorial. Common scriptures include Psalm 23, John 14:1-3, or Ecclesiastes 3, while secular poems like “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” are also widely used.
You can place these between sections, dedicate a page to them, or even pair them with relevant imagery. The digital format allows you to experiment with layout until you find the presentation that feels just right.
6. Tributes and Reflections
Consider including written tributes from close family and friends. These personal messages bring variety and depth to the memorial, often revealing sides of the person that others may not have known. A sibling might recall childhood adventures, a grandchild might express admiration, and a lifelong friend may highlight the humor and loyalty of the departed.
Tributes can be added manually or collected via an embedded form. The Funeral Program Site supports guestbooks and tribute sections that visitors can contribute to before or after the ceremony.
Sharing and Displaying the Program
7. Unique Viewing Link
Once completed, your online funeral program will be hosted on a secure server and published to a unique URL. This link can be shared via email, text, social media, or included in the virtual service invitation. Anyone with the link can view the program on any device, making it easy for family and friends around the world to participate.
To see how this works in real-time, you can explore a sample online funeral program hosted in Google Drive format. It displays how the digital structure creates a clean, scrollable layout for readers of all ages and technical skill levels.
8. Embedded Media and Video
One of the biggest advantages of online programs is the ability to embed rich media. You can add YouTube links to memorial videos, audio files of favorite songs, or voice messages from loved ones. These features bring energy and life to the program and allow everyone to experience the memorial on an emotional level that printed materials cannot replicate.
Whether it’s a tribute video or a slideshow set to music, multimedia elevates the experience and makes it feel more interactive. The Funeral Program Site’s tools support these elements easily, helping you craft a tribute that speaks beyond the page.
The Funeral Program Site: Your Trusted Partner in Digital Memorials
Guided Simplicity
The Funeral Program Site has helped thousands of families create online funeral programs with ease. Their editor was designed specifically for non-designers, offering step-by-step guidance, auto-saving, and instant previewing. It eliminates the guesswork and helps you focus on what really matters: the memories and the message.
You don’t need software or design experience. Everything is done in your web browser, and you can return to make edits anytime. They offer both ready-to-edit templates and full-service options if you’d prefer to have a professional take care of formatting for you.
Secure Hosting and Ongoing Access
Your finished online funeral program is securely hosted and accessible long after the service ends. This means that whether you share it a week before or a year later, the tribute remains intact and beautifully displayed. You control who sees it and can even apply password protection for privacy. This long-term accessibility is ideal for future memorial events or genealogy records.
If you’d like to explore the structure of a well-crafted digital program, we invite you to view another example: online funeral programs.
Final Thoughts: Building a Tribute That Lasts
More Than a Document—A Legacy
When thoughtfully assembled, an online funeral program becomes more than just a tool for the day of the service—it becomes a lasting legacy. It offers a place for family and friends to remember, reflect, and return to in times of grief or celebration. The flexibility of online formatting allows you to share stories, include voices, and preserve the essence of a life in a way that is timeless and accessible.
The Funeral Program Site makes the process achievable for anyone, providing all the resources needed to craft a beautiful, comprehensive, and shareable tribute. Whether your loved one’s memorial is small and intimate or large and public, online funeral programs offer the ideal format for honoring their life with love, clarity, and connection.