How to Create a Funeral Brochure Template

A funeral brochure is one of the most meaningful printed items created for a memorial service. It serves as both a guide for the ceremony and a keepsake for family and friends. While many families rely on pre-designed layouts, creating a funeral brochure template allows for personalization and reusability. Templates can be customized with names, photos, tributes, and order of service details, ensuring that each program is both unique and professional. With the help of the Funeral Program Site, families and funeral professionals can design templates that are elegant, easy to use, and adaptable for future services.

Why Create a Funeral Brochure Template?

Funeral services often need programs quickly, and starting from scratch can feel overwhelming. A template saves time, reduces stress, and ensures consistency. Templates also:

• Provide structure for including essential elements.

• Ensure professional-looking designs, even for those with little design experience.

• Offer flexibility for customization while maintaining polished formatting.

• Serve as a resource for funeral homes, churches, or families that may need to create brochures repeatedly.

By investing time in creating a template, families and professionals can simplify the process while honoring loved ones with dignity.

Step 1: Decide on Brochure Format

The first step is choosing the format of your brochure. The most common options include:

• Bifold Brochure (8.5" x 11" folded): Four panels for content—front cover, back cover, and two inside panels.

• Trifold Brochure: Six panels for more content, often used for longer obituaries or multiple photos.

• Booklet Style: Multi-page brochures for detailed tributes, collages, or multiple readings.

The format you choose will depend on how much content you want to include and the tone of the service.

Step 2: Set Up the Document

Using software like Microsoft Word, Publisher, Adobe InDesign, Canva, or Google Docs, set up a new document. Adjust the following:

• Page Size: Standard letter size (8.5" x 11") or larger for booklets.

• Margins: At least 0.5 inches to avoid cutting off text during printing.

• Guidelines: Add fold or panel guides to help with alignment.

This setup becomes the foundation of your template.

Step 3: Add Placeholder Sections

To make your template reusable, create placeholders for the most common elements:

• Front Cover: Full name, photo, birth and passing dates, and title such as “In Loving Memory.”

• Order of Service: A list of events like prayers, music, eulogies, and closing words.

• Obituary: A written life story with space for photos.

• Tributes and Acknowledgments: Sections for family messages and thank-yous.

• Back Cover: Closing scripture, quote, or reception details.

Placeholders ensure nothing essential is forgotten and make updates quick and simple.

Step 4: Incorporate Design Elements

Design choices bring the brochure to life. Consider:

• Backgrounds: Subtle patterns, floral themes, or religious imagery.

• Fonts: A decorative script for titles paired with a clean serif or sans serif for body text.

• Colors: Soft, muted tones for a traditional service or brighter hues for a celebration of life.

• Photos: Placeholders for portraits and candid images.

Templates from the Funeral Program Site include professional design elements that can be customized while maintaining visual balance.

Step 5: Save the Template

When your design is complete, save the file as a template format supported by your software. For example:

• Word: Save as .dotx

• InDesign: Save as .indt

• Canva/Google Docs: Save a copy and duplicate as needed

This ensures you can reuse the file without overwriting the original design.

Step 6: Print or Share Digitally

Once customized, the brochure can be printed at home or through professional services. For printing:

• Choose premium paper (28–32 lb text or 65–80 lb cover stock).

• Use high-quality printer settings for photos.

• Consider matte or satin finishes for readability.

For digital sharing, export as a PDF to email or post on a memorial website.

Final Thoughts

Creating a funeral brochure template allows families to prepare a polished, reusable design that honors loved ones with both structure and creativity. By establishing placeholders, selecting thoughtful design elements, and saving in template format, families and professionals can simplify future program creation.

For expert templates and professional printing, the Funeral Program Site remains the trusted source, offering compassionate guidance and designs that combine practicality with beauty.

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.