How to Create a Funeral Bulletin Template
Christi Anderson
Funeral bulletins are an essential part of memorial services, offering guests both guidance and comfort during a time of grief. They outline the order of service, provide biographical details, and often include prayers, poems, or scriptures. More than that, funeral bulletins become keepsakes that friends and family hold onto as reminders of their loved one’s life. Creating a funeral bulletin template helps families and funeral professionals save time while ensuring the design is professional, polished, and easy to customize. With resources from the Funeral Program Site, crafting a reusable template that balances structure with personalization becomes straightforward.
Why Funeral Bulletins Matter
A funeral bulletin is both practical and emotional. Its primary role is to guide attendees through the service, ensuring everyone knows the sequence of events, hymns, and readings. However, it also carries emotional weight, serving as a tangible keepsake of the day. Attendees often save bulletins for years, tucking them into Bibles, memory boxes, or photo albums. For families, designing a bulletin that reflects the personality and values of their loved one makes the service even more meaningful.
Step 1: Choose the Format
Funeral bulletins come in different formats, and the best choice depends on how much information will be included:
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Single-Sheet (8.5" x 11") – Simple, concise bulletins with essential details.
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Bifold – A letter-size sheet folded in half, creating four panels for additional content.
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Booklet – Multi-page bulletins for larger services or when extended obituaries, collages, or tributes are included.
The amount of content—such as prayers, scriptures, tributes, or multiple songs—will determine the right format.
Step 2: Set Up the Document
Using software like Microsoft Word, Publisher, Adobe InDesign, or Canva, create a new document:
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Page Size: Standard 8.5" x 11" is most common.
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Margins: At least 0.5 inches to avoid trimming issues.
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Guides: Add fold markers if creating bifolds or booklets.
This foundation ensures bulletins look balanced and professional.
Step 3: Add Placeholder Sections
To make the template reusable, create placeholders for:
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Front Cover: Full name, dates of birth and passing, portrait, and a heading like “In Loving Memory.”
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Order of Service: A detailed sequence of events—music, prayers, readings, eulogies, and closing words.
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Obituary or Life Story: A brief biography of the loved one.
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Acknowledgments: A thank-you section from the family.
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Back Cover: Scriptures, poems, or repast details.
With placeholders in place, each new bulletin only requires updating content, not redesigning.
Step 4: Incorporate Design Elements
Design choices should reflect dignity and personality. Consider:
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Fonts: Script or decorative fonts for headings, paired with easy-to-read serif or sans serif fonts for body text.
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Color Schemes: Muted colors for traditional services, brighter palettes for celebrations of life.
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Backgrounds and Images: Subtle floral motifs, scenic landscapes, or faith-based imagery.
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Photo Placeholders: For portraits or collages of the loved one.
Professional templates ensure these elements work together harmoniously.
Step 5: Save as a Template
Once the design is complete, save it as a template format:
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Word:
.dotx -
InDesign:
.indt -
Canva/Google Docs: Create a master copy for duplication.
This ensures that the layout can be reused for future services without being overwritten.
Step 6: Print Professionally
Funeral bulletins are keepsakes, so print quality matters. Printing considerations include:
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Paper: Use 28–32 lb text stock or 65–80 lb cardstock for sturdiness.
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Finish: Matte or satin finishes reduce glare and improve readability.
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Folding: Ensure folds are sharp and even for bifold or booklet designs.
Professional printing services ensure polished results, especially for bulletins with photos and decorative backgrounds. The Funeral Program Site provides templates and expert printing to guarantee bulletins are both meaningful and professionally finished.
Personalization Options
Families can personalize bulletins further by including:
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Favorite quotes, scriptures, or poems.
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Multiple photos or collages.
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Cultural or faith-based symbols.
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Special tributes or anecdotes from family members.
These additions transform a bulletin from a functional guide into a keepsake that reflects the essence of a loved one’s life.
Final Thoughts
A funeral bulletin is one of the most important elements of a memorial service. It guides attendees, preserves memories, and provides comfort through both words and images. By creating a reusable template with placeholders, design elements, and professional formatting, families and funeral professionals can simplify the design process while honoring loved ones with grace.
For expert templates and compassionate printing services, the Funeral Program Site remains the trusted resource. Its designs make it easy to create funeral bulletins that balance structure, personalization, and lasting keepsake value.
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.
