How to Add Music or Hymns to a Funeral Program Template
Christi Anderson
Music has always played an essential role in funerals and memorials. Whether through hymns, instrumental pieces, or contemporary songs, music provides comfort, sets the tone, and allows mourners to reflect on cherished memories. When designing a funeral program, families often want to include musical elements that both guide the service and celebrate the individuality of their loved one. Adding music or hymns to a funeral program template ensures attendees can participate fully while preserving those meaningful songs as part of a keepsake. With guidance from the Funeral Program Site, families can personalize their programs with music that reflects dignity, love, and remembrance.
Why Music Matters in Funeral Services
Music evokes emotion in ways words often cannot. It comforts the grieving, inspires reflection, and celebrates a life well lived. Hymns or songs chosen for a funeral service can:
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Provide familiarity and reassurance during difficult moments.
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Reflect the faith, values, or personality of the loved one.
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Encourage participation as attendees join in singing.
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Create a lasting memory that resonates long after the service ends.
For many families, music is one of the most memorable elements of a funeral, making its inclusion in the program an important step.
Deciding What Music to Include
When selecting songs or hymns for the program, consider the following:
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Faith Traditions: Hymns such as Amazing Grace or How Great Thou Art are common in Christian services, while other faiths have their own musical traditions.
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Favorite Songs: Families often include secular songs that held personal meaning, from jazz standards to modern ballads.
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Instrumental Selections: Piano, violin, or harp pieces can add quiet reflection.
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Family Participation: Sometimes relatives perform a solo or play an instrument, and these moments should be noted in the program.
The program should reflect the balance between tradition and individuality.
Where to Place Music in the Program
Funeral program templates typically include a section for the Order of Service, which is the natural place to list hymns and songs. Common placements include:
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Prelude: Music played as guests arrive.
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Congregational Hymns: Songs sung together during the service.
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Special Music: Solos or performances by family members or musicians.
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Postlude: Music played as guests exit.
For programs with more space, such as booklets, families may print full hymn lyrics to encourage participation.
Formatting Music and Hymn Sections
Clarity is essential when adding music to a program. Best practices include:
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Song Titles in Bold or Italics: To distinguish them from other service elements.
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Composer or Author Names: Optional, but adds recognition.
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Lyrics: Print in full if congregational singing is expected; otherwise, excerpts or choruses may suffice.
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Page Layout: Use columns for longer hymns to save space while maintaining readability.
A well-formatted music section ensures that attendees can follow along with ease.
Enhancing Programs with Lyrics
Including hymn lyrics or favorite song verses transforms the program into more than a guide—it becomes a keepsake of shared worship and remembrance. Printing lyrics also helps attendees participate, especially when not everyone knows the words. Families may choose to highlight a chorus or stanza that was particularly meaningful to their loved one.
Design Considerations for Music Sections
When adding music or hymns, design matters as much as content. Tips include:
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Consistent Fonts: Use readable serif or sans serif fonts for lyrics, reserving decorative fonts for titles.
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Spacing: Ensure adequate line spacing to avoid crowding verses.
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Borders or Decorative Elements: Subtle flourishes can frame the hymn section, enhancing beauty without distracting from the words.
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Photo Integration: In booklets, pairing lyrics with related photos (e.g., the loved one singing in church) creates a personal touch.
Printing and Paper Choices
Because music sections often include longer text, readability in print is crucial. Choose premium matte or satin-finish paper that prevents glare and makes lyrics easy to follow. Larger multi-page booklets may pair heavy cardstock covers with lighter text-weight pages for lyrics and service details.
Professional printing ensures clarity and quality, especially when lyrics and photos are combined. Providers like the Funeral Program Site specialize in templates and printing services that balance elegance with practicality, helping families avoid common formatting and readability issues.
Final Thoughts
Music is one of the most profound elements of a funeral service, and including it in the program ensures that every attendee can participate fully and reflect meaningfully. Whether through timeless hymns, favorite songs, or instrumental pieces, music speaks to the soul and provides comfort during times of loss.
By thoughtfully choosing songs, formatting lyrics, and presenting them beautifully within a program template, families can create a keepsake that both guides the service and preserves cherished memories. For professional templates and printing expertise, the Funeral Program Site remains the trusted resource, offering compassionate guidance to ensure every program is as meaningful as the music it celebrates.
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.
