What to Include in a Funeral Pamphlet for a Loved One
When a loved one passes away, families often turn to printed tributes as a way to honor their memory and guide guests during the service. One of the most heartfelt and accessible options is a funeral pamphlet—a short, folded handout that provides essential details about the person’s life and the memorial ceremony.
A funeral pamphlet is more than just paper—it’s a keepsake, a guide, and a written expression of love. Whether you’re planning a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life, knowing what to include in a funeral pamphlet ensures that your tribute is meaningful, well-organized, and comforting to attendees.
To see professionally designed examples and inspiration, visit funeral pamphlet and funeral pamphlet.
What Is a Funeral Pamphlet?
A funeral pamphlet is a folded, single-sheet program handed out at the funeral or memorial service. Unlike longer multi-page booklets, a pamphlet is typically formatted as a bifold (folded once) or trifold (folded into thirds) and contains the most essential details about the deceased and the service.
Its purpose is twofold:
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Guide Attendees: It provides structure during the service and informs attendees of the order of events.
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Celebrate Life: It memorializes the person in words and images, offering loved ones a tangible keepsake.
The best funeral pamphlets balance simplicity with sentiment, allowing families to share meaningful content without overwhelming readers.
1. Front Cover
The cover of the funeral pamphlet is the first thing guests will see. It should reflect dignity and love, capturing the spirit of the person being remembered.
What to include on the front cover:
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Full Name: Include first, middle, and last names, along with any titles (e.g., Dr., Rev., Jr., Sr.).
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Birth and Death Dates: These dates mark the span of the person’s life and should be accurate and clearly visible.
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Photo: Choose a high-resolution, centered portrait that captures your loved one’s personality. Smiling or peaceful expressions are most commonly used.
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Title/Header: Common phrases include:
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“In Loving Memory”
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“Celebrating the Life of”
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“A Life Well-Lived”
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Optional Details: Some families include the location or date of the service on the front page as well.
Choose a layout and design that complements the tone of the service—religious, military, nature-inspired, or minimalist.
2. Order of Service
This section helps guests follow along with the memorial, especially in spiritual or religious ceremonies. It lays out the sequence of events so attendees know what to expect and when to participate.
Typical elements in the order of service:
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Welcome or opening remarks
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Musical selections
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Prayer or invocation
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Scripture readings or poems
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Eulogy or life tribute
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Reflections from family or friends
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Closing remarks
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Benediction or dismissal
You may choose to include speaker names, song titles, and even page numbers if referencing other materials. Keep the language clear and the layout easy to scan.
3. Short Obituary or Life Summary
A concise life story brings a personal element to the funeral pamphlet. While full obituaries may appear in newspapers or memorial booklets, a summarized version is ideal for pamphlets due to limited space.
Include key highlights such as:
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Place and date of birth
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Education and career
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Family members (spouse, children, siblings)
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Hobbies or passions
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Volunteer or community involvement
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Personality traits, values, or memorable quotes
Use warm, respectful language that reflects their spirit. Focus on connection—how they touched lives, inspired others, or made a difference.
You can also include this section under the header "Life Reflections" or "About [Name]."
4. Scriptures, Poems, or Quotes
This is a space for spiritual or emotional content that comforts attendees and honors the deceased’s values.
Options to include:
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A favorite Bible verse or spiritual passage
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A poem that reflects grief, hope, or celebration
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A quote your loved one lived by
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A short prayer
Be sure the selection fits the tone of the service. For example, a military funeral might include patriotic lines, while a celebration of life may opt for uplifting or joyful verses.
If you need help choosing suitable passages, The Funeral Program Site offers a library of pre-selected readings and design tools to match.
5. Acknowledgments and Thank-You Notes
The back panel or inside flap is a great place to thank attendees and those who provided support during the loss. This message of gratitude offers closure and recognizes the wider community.
Sample wording:
“We thank you for your support, prayers, and presence during this difficult time. Your kindness and love have brought us comfort and peace.”
You may also include:
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The name of the funeral home
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Donation information (in lieu of flowers)
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Reception or repast details
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Family contact information for follow-up messages
This section, while short, is appreciated by those attending the service and helps bring the pamphlet to a thoughtful conclusion.
6. Additional Optional Elements
Depending on space, you may consider adding:
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Favorite Song Lyrics: If a particular hymn or song was meaningful to your loved one, a short excerpt can be included.
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Timeline: A brief timeline of major life events can be powerful.
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QR Code: Link to an online memorial page, video tribute, or slideshow.
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Religious Symbols or Icons: Crosses, doves, flowers, or stars can be used to reflect spiritual beliefs or personal aesthetics.
Keep in mind that funeral pamphlets work best when they are clean and not overcrowded. Prioritize what would be most meaningful to your family and the guests.
Design and Printing Tips
Once content is finalized, it's time to format and print your funeral pamphlet. Here are essential design tips:
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Use Templates: Choose a pre-formatted design from trusted providers like The Funeral Program Site to save time and avoid layout issues.
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Stick to 1–2 Fonts: Use an easy-to-read serif or sans-serif font for body text, and a graceful script for headers if desired.
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Limit to 2–3 Colors: Soft tones like navy, gray, lavender, or cream add elegance.
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Print on Premium Paper: Choose 80–100 lb text or cover stock for durability.
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Order Extras: Always print more copies than expected for unexpected guests or future keepsakes.
Whether printing at home, at a local shop, or through an online provider, always proofread thoroughly before final print.
To explore ready-made templates and print solutions, visit:
funeral pamphlet
funeral pamphlet
Why Funeral Pamphlets Matter
Although brief, a funeral pamphlet serves a powerful purpose. It brings clarity to the memorial service, tells a story in just a few pages, and helps mourners feel more connected. It’s often the only tangible item attendees take home, making it a vital piece of the remembrance process.
Because of its size and simplicity, a pamphlet can also be shared digitally, mailed to those unable to attend, or included in scrapbooks or memory boxes.
By including thoughtful content, warm words, and a touch of personalization, you create something beautiful that lasts beyond the day of the service.
Using The Funeral Program Site
For families seeking help, The Funeral Program Site is a trusted provider of custom templates and printed memorials. Their services include:
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Editable funeral pamphlet templates
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Same-day digital downloads
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Professional printing and shipping
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Access to poems, scriptures, and design themes
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Expert support for layout and content
Their resources make the creation process smoother, especially during a time when emotions are high and time is short.
Whether you need a simple bifold pamphlet or something more creative, The Funeral Program Site provides the tools and support to honor your loved one beautifully.
Final Thoughts
Knowing what to include in a funeral pamphlet helps ensure your tribute is thoughtful, complete, and comforting to all who attend. From the cover photo and service details to the order of events and life summary, each section contributes to the overall tone and impact of the ceremony.
When words are hard to find, the right design, a meaningful poem, or a favorite quote can speak volumes. With care, simplicity, and love, you can create a printed tribute that will be remembered long after the service ends.
For inspiration, examples, and templates to help you begin, visit:
funeral pamphlet
funeral pamphlet
Author Bio:
Christi Anderson is the founder of The Funeral Program Site and a trusted authority in memorial design. She has guided thousands of families through the process of honoring loved ones with dignity and personalization. Discover her templates, articles, and books at her Amazon Author Page.
