How to Add a Tribute Section to a Funeral Program Template
Christi Anderson
Funeral programs serve as both guides to a memorial service and keepsakes for loved ones. While they include essential elements such as the order of service, obituary, and acknowledgments, one of the most personal features is the tribute section. Tributes provide family and friends an opportunity to share memories, honor achievements, and highlight the unique qualities of the person being remembered. Knowing how to add a tribute section to a funeral program template ensures this portion feels heartfelt and organized, creating a lasting remembrance. With professional guidance from the Funeral Program Site, families can design tribute sections that are both beautiful and meaningful.
Why Tributes Matter
The tribute section gives voice to the love and respect felt by family and friends. Unlike the obituary, which often follows a structured format of life details, tributes are more personal and emotional. They may include:
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Reflections from children, grandchildren, or close relatives.
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Messages of admiration from friends, coworkers, or community members.
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Words of gratitude for the deceased’s role in others’ lives.
Tributes often highlight qualities like kindness, humor, wisdom, or generosity, painting a fuller picture of the individual’s legacy. For guests, reading these tributes provides comfort, inspiration, and a deeper connection to the loved one’s story.
Deciding What to Include
Families should begin by deciding how many tributes to feature and who should write them. Considerations include:
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Immediate Family: Spouses, children, or siblings may each contribute short notes.
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Extended Family and Friends: A select few tributes from close friends or colleagues can add balance.
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Community or Faith Leaders: Messages from religious or organizational figures may also be included.
To avoid overwhelming the program, families may limit tributes to two or three per program, with longer messages shared separately at the service or online.
Placement of the Tribute Section
The tribute section is typically placed after the obituary but before the acknowledgments. This location flows naturally, moving from the life story into personal reflections before concluding with gratitude.
In bifold programs, tributes may share space with the obituary or order of service. In larger booklets, they often occupy a full page, sometimes accompanied by photos of the loved one with family or friends.
Formatting Tips
Well-designed tribute sections enhance readability and emotional impact. Consider the following formatting guidelines:
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Font Style: Use a serif or sans serif font for body text, reserving decorative fonts for headings.
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Length: Keep tributes concise—150–200 words each—so they fit neatly in the layout.
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Attribution: Always include the name of the tribute writer for authenticity.
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Visual Balance: Pair tributes with small photos or decorative flourishes, but avoid clutter.
Templates make it easier to balance text and visuals, ensuring tributes feel polished without losing intimacy.
Adding Photos to Tributes
Photos add depth and personality to tribute sections. Families may choose to include:
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A portrait of the loved one.
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A candid photo of them with the tribute writer.
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A small collage of joyful moments.
Placing photos alongside tributes visually connects the words to shared memories, enhancing the keepsake value of the program.
Personalizing the Section
To make tributes more meaningful, families may incorporate:
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A favorite quote or scripture at the top of the tribute page.
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Decorative backgrounds or borders reflecting hobbies or faith.
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Handwritten notes or scanned letters as part of the design.
These elements ensure the tribute section reflects the personality of the individual being celebrated.
Balancing Space in the Program
One challenge of adding tributes is space. To manage this:
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Use a multi-page booklet if many tributes are desired.
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Include a condensed version in the program with extended tributes printed separately.
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Direct guests to an online memorial page for additional messages.
Professional templates from the Funeral Program Site are designed with flexible layouts, making it easy to include short or extended tributes without sacrificing design balance.
Printing Considerations
Before finalizing the program, print a test copy to confirm tribute sections are legible, well-spaced, and visually balanced. Check that names are spelled correctly and that no messages are accidentally cut off by margins or folds.
For keepsake-quality results, families may choose professional printing on premium paper, ensuring that tributes endure for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Tributes are one of the most meaningful elements of a funeral program, giving voice to the love and memories that define a person’s life. By thoughtfully selecting, formatting, and personalizing tributes, families can create programs that feel both intimate and polished.
For expert templates and professional printing that accommodate tribute sections beautifully, the Funeral Program Site remains the trusted resource. Its compassionate guidance ensures that every program is not only informative but also filled with words of love and 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.
