How to Create a Funeral Program Template
Christi Anderson
Creating a funeral program template is an important step in planning a memorial service. A program serves as both a guide for the ceremony and a keepsake for guests. Families often want to design something that is not only functional but also personal, reflecting the life, faith, and personality of their loved one. By creating a reusable template, families and funeral professionals can simplify the process while ensuring every program is consistent, beautiful, and meaningful. With resources like the Funeral Program Site, it is easier than ever to build templates that can be adapted for any service.
Why Create a Funeral Program Template?
Templates save time, reduce stress, and provide consistency. Instead of starting from scratch each time, families or professionals can work from a pre-designed layout. A template also ensures that important sections—such as the order of service, obituary, and acknowledgments—are never overlooked. Most importantly, templates can be personalized, blending structure with creativity to honor each individual uniquely.
For churches, funeral homes, and families that may host multiple services over time, having a template ready makes preparation more efficient while still allowing for heartfelt customization.
Step 1: Choose the Program Format
The first step is deciding what type of program you want to create. Common formats include:
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Bifold (8.5" x 11" folded in half): The most popular format, offering four panels for content.
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Trifold: Six panels, providing more room for text and photos.
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Booklet (multi-page): Ideal for larger services or families who want to include multiple tributes, photo collages, or song lyrics.
The format determines how much content can be included and influences how the template is structured.
Step 2: Set Up the Document
Using design software such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, Adobe InDesign, or Canva, create a new document with the correct dimensions.
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Page Size: Letter (8.5" x 11") is standard, but legal (8.5" x 14") or tabloid (11" x 17") can be used for larger booklets.
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Margins: Set at least 0.5" margins to prevent text from being cut off during printing.
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Guides: Add fold or panel guides depending on whether the format is bifold or trifold.
This setup becomes the foundation of your template.
Step 3: Create Placeholder Sections
Every funeral program contains common sections. Setting placeholders for these ensures nothing is missed:
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Front Cover: Name, photo, dates of birth and passing, and a title such as “In Loving Memory.”
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Order of Service: A list of the ceremony’s events, including prayers, songs, and eulogies.
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Obituary or Life Story: A written tribute highlighting milestones and achievements.
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Photos: Space for one or multiple images.
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Acknowledgments and Thank-Yous: A section where the family can express gratitude to attendees and service providers.
By creating placeholders, you make it easy to replace generic text with specific details for each service.
Step 4: Add Design Elements
To make the template visually appealing, add elements that reflect dignity and personality.
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Borders and Frames: Elegant flourishes or clean lines create structure.
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Backgrounds: Subtle colors or textures enhance the design without overpowering the content.
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Symbols: Religious or cultural icons, floral motifs, or imagery tied to the loved one’s hobbies.
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Typography: Use a script font for titles and clean serif or sans serif fonts for body text.
These elements can be standardized in the template but easily customized for each individual service.
Step 5: Save for Reuse
Once the design is complete, save the file as a template format if your software supports it (.dotx in Word, .indt in InDesign, etc.). This allows you to open the file, enter new details, and save it as a fresh program without altering the original design.
It’s also helpful to save a print-ready PDF version, ensuring consistent results across different printers.
Step 6: Print or Share Digitally
Funeral program templates can be used for both print and digital distribution. For printing, choose high-quality paper and verify printer settings to maintain alignment. For digital sharing, export as a PDF that can be emailed or posted on a memorial website.
The Funeral Program Site provides both professionally designed templates and printing services, making it easy for families to create programs that look polished and meaningful whether distributed in print or online.
Final Thoughts
Creating a funeral program template provides structure during a difficult time while leaving room for personalization. By setting up placeholders, choosing thoughtful design elements, and saving the file for reuse, families can streamline the process and focus more on celebrating their loved one’s life.
For those seeking professional guidance, ready-made templates, and high-quality printing, the Funeral Program Site remains the most trusted resource. Its expertise ensures that every program, whether created at home or printed professionally, reflects dignity, care, and memory.
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.
