A funeral order of service helps guests follow the ceremony. Begin with the agreed running order, then add names, readings, music and any practical directions. Confirm the final version with the person leading the service before printing; an attractive booklet is only useful if it matches what will happen.
Give one person responsibility for the final proof
Check names, dates and the spelling of every speaker’s name.
Confirm the exact reading or music version and any permission needed for reproduction.
Mark one file as final and tell the printer which earlier drafts are superseded.
Example proof note: “Version 3, approved by [name] on [date]. Reading changed to [title]; refreshments address confirmed; all earlier drafts withdrawn.” This prevents a correct edit being lost in an older file.
Should I print the exact minute of every part of the funeral?
Usually the sequence is more useful for guests than a rigid minute-by-minute schedule. Agree timing with the celebrant or venue, especially if the service has a fixed slot.
Can I use a QR code instead of printing directions?
A QR code can be an extra option, but keep essential location and access information readable on the page. Some guests will not have a suitable phone or connection.
Copyright rules can apply to text, music and published editions. Finding a poem online does not establish permission to print it in full; check the work and edition you plan to use. Check rights before reproducing a reading
Use the readings guide to choose a suitable text, then confirm the exact version and reproduction rights before it enters the printed programme. Funeral poems: readings and how to choose
What is a funeral order of service?
An order of service, sometimes called a funeral programme, tells everyone what will happen and when. It lists the music, the readings and who is speaking, so guests can follow along, join in with any hymns or songs, and know when the ceremony is coming to an end. It usually has the person's name, dates and a photograph on the front.
It also does a quieter job. Many people keep their copy for years, tucked into a book or a drawer, because it holds a favourite photo and a few words about someone they loved. That is worth remembering when you choose the pictures and the wording: you are making a small keepsake as well as a running order.
You do not have to have one. Some families prefer the celebrant or minister to simply guide everyone through the ceremony, and a small, informal funeral or a direct cremation followed by a later gathering may not need anything printed at all.
What goes in a funeral order of service?
Whatever the type of ceremony, most orders of service follow a similar shape. This is a typical structure you can adapt:
Entrance music as the coffin is brought in or guests take their seats.
Welcome from the celebrant, minister or faith leader, explaining why everyone has gathered.
First reading, which could be a poem, a passage from scripture or a piece of prose.
Tribute or eulogy, the story of the person's life, given by family, friends or the celebrant.
Hymn, song or music for reflection, sung together or listened to quietly.
Prayers or a moment of reflection, depending on the beliefs of the family.
Committal, the moment of formal farewell, when the coffin is lowered or, at a crematorium, curtains may close.
Closing words and thanks, often including details of the gathering afterwards.
Exit music as guests leave.
Not every ceremony includes every element, and the order can move around. Some families put the music for reflection after the tribute so people have a moment to take it in; others have two shorter tributes instead of one long eulogy. If you are writing a tribute yourself, our guide on how to write a eulogy walks you through it.
What does an order of service template look like?
An order of service is often a single folded card or a short booklet. This outline works for many ceremonies, and you can replace the words in square brackets with your own:
Front cover: A photograph, then "Celebrating the life of [full name]", then "[date of birth] to [date of death]", and below that "[venue], [day, date and time of the funeral]".
Inside pages: "Entrance music: [title], [artist]". "Welcome: [name of celebrant or minister]". "Reading: [title of poem or passage], read by [name]". "Tribute: [name or names]". "Music for reflection: [title], [artist]". "Prayers or a moment of quiet reflection". "Committal". "Closing words". "Exit music: [title], [artist]".
Back page: A short note from the family, for example: "Thank you for being here today. Mum would have been quietly delighted to see so many of the people she loved in one room. Please join us afterwards at [venue], where there will be food, tea and plenty of stories. If you would like to, you can make a donation in her memory to [charity]."
Some families add a second photo page, a short life story, a favourite saying or a poem printed in full. If you are still choosing readings or music, our guides to funeral poems and readings and funeral songs and hymns can help.
How is the order of service different for religious and humanist funerals?
The legal steps for a funeral are the same for everyone, but the ceremony is entirely your choice. In a humanist or other non-religious funeral, the order is shaped around the person's life rather than worship. Humanists UK explains on its funeral FAQs that the tribute is the heart of the ceremony and can last up to 15 minutes, followed by a time for reflection, during which religious guests are free to pray quietly, and then the committal. A hymn can be included if it brings back memories, though not as an act of worship.
A Christian funeral led by a minister usually includes readings from the Bible, prayers, often hymns and a short address, as well as personal tributes. If the funeral follows a set liturgy, such as a Catholic Requiem Mass, a Jewish service led by a rabbi, the Islamic funeral prayer, or Hindu or Sikh rites, talk to the officiant or faith community before you design anything. They will know what is customary to print, what is said or sung, and whether a printed booklet is expected at all. Some families also print short explanations of the rituals for guests who are unfamiliar with them.
How long is a funeral service at a crematorium?
This matters for planning, because the length of the service decides how much you can fit in. Crematoria book services in fixed slots. Coventry City Council, for example, says on its cremations page that every funeral has a 45-minute slot to allow a full 30 minutes for the service. Guildford Borough Council's chapel information says chapel time is restricted to 30 minutes and that a double time slot can be requested through the funeral director.
Humanists UK says a typical ceremony runs about 20 to 30 minutes depending on the time available. Within a short slot, every extra reading, speaker or verse takes time from something else, and your celebrant can help you decide what matters most. If you want several speakers, a long tribute or a hymn with many verses, ask about a longer slot, or hold the main ceremony at a church, hall or other venue and keep the crematorium part short. Church services and ceremonies at other venues are not tied to crematorium slots, but they still need a time agreed with the venue.
What should you print in an order of service?
Keep it clear and easy to read in a dim chapel: a simple font, good contrast, and the names of readings and music exactly as they will be announced. Include the names of everyone taking part, so guests know who is speaking. Photos of the person at different ages, a favourite place or a beloved pet can make the booklet feel personal.
If you want guests to sing, print the words of the hymn or song. Be aware that words are protected by copyright: in the UK, copyright in written and musical works lasts for 70 years after the author's death. Many traditional hymns are old enough to be out of copyright, but newer hymns and pop songs are not, so ask the minister, venue or funeral director whether a licence covers printing them. Listing a song by title and artist never needs permission.
Useful practical details include where the gathering afterwards is held, whether there are family flowers only or donations to a named charity, and, if the service is being streamed, a note for those watching at home. Check every name, date and spelling with at least one other person before you send it to print.
How many orders of service should you print, and when?
Count the number of guests you expect, then add a margin for people who arrive unannounced and for family members who will want spare copies to keep or post to relatives who could not come. If you are unsure how many people will attend, ask the funeral director how many people usually come to similar funerals in your area.
Leave enough time for printing. Funeral directors and local printers often offer order-of-service printing and can tell you their turnaround time; designing your own and printing at home is also perfectly fine. A digital copy as a PDF is useful for people joining online or living abroad.
How can you make a funeral order of service easier to read?
Use clear type, strong contrast and enough space between sections. Choose a print size that guests can comfortably read, and ask the printer for a proof. A short programme with an accurate running order is often more useful than a crowded booklet containing every detail.
Prepare for the next conversation
Check names, dates and the order with the person leading the ceremony.
Read a printed proof in ordinary light, not only on a bright screen.
Confirm permissions for any music lyrics, poems or images you reproduce.
Related next steps: Match the tribute to the running order; Choose music and readings before the final proof.
Frequently asked questions: Funeral order of service
Who usually puts the order of service together?
Usually a close family member, with input from the celebrant or minister, who confirms the running order. Funeral directors often help with design and printing.
Can you print song lyrics in an order of service?
Only where the words are out of copyright or a licence covers them. Ask the venue or funeral director, and if in doubt, list the song by title and artist.
What wording goes on the front of an order of service?
Commonly the full name, dates of birth and death, and a phrase such as "Celebrating the life of" or "In loving memory of", with the venue, date and time below.
Do you need an order of service for a small funeral?
No. For a small gathering, a single printed card or no printed material at all works well. The celebrant can guide everyone through the ceremony.
How Solace Care can help
Availability: These guides are freely accessible. The Solace platform currently supports Sweden, Finland, Norway, Denmark and the Netherlands. UK-specific features and legal document templates are not yet confirmed. Before signing up, contact support@solace.care to check access and which features are suitable for you.
Use this guide for ceremony decisions and final proof checks without an account. If you want additional app support, first ask support@solace.care to confirm suitable UK features and access. Once confirmed, you can create an account. For email updates, use the optional newsletter form. Registration does not submit forms or make legal decisions for you; a newsletter subscription is not an app account.
