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Funeral program

Funeral order of service examples

The order of service lists each part of the ceremony in sequence, with the names of the people involved. It is decided with the officiant and the funeral director; the family's role is usually to choose readings, music and speakers. Below are sample orders to discuss with them.

Updated

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On this page

The examples on this page were written for TributePen. The people, names and details in them are invented: use them as a starting point, never as someone's real story.

How to use these samples

These are starting points to take to the officiant, not rules. Religious traditions, congregations and funeral homes differ; the officiant decides what the service includes. Put each part on its own line in the program, followed by a dash and the name of the person responsible.

A Protestant church funeral

Church funeral

traditional, Christian

Prelude – Organist
Processional
Welcome and Opening Prayer – Rev. Lisa Grant
Hymn – "Amazing Grace"
Old Testament Reading – Mark Ellis
New Testament Reading – Julie Carter
Obituary – read silently
Eulogy – Paul Ellis
Special Music – Grandchildren's choir
Message – Rev. Lisa Grant
Closing Prayer
Benediction
Recessional

For a church funeral program · 41 words · 319 characters
Why it works: the classic order, with family roles clearly named. Make it yours: confirm hymns and readings with the church; "read silently" tells guests the obituary is printed inside.

A Catholic funeral Mass

Funeral Mass outline

traditional, Catholic

Reception of the Body
Entrance Hymn
Liturgy of the Word
First Reading – Maria Gomez
Responsorial Psalm
Second Reading – Luis Gomez
Gospel
Homily
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Final Commendation
Recessional Hymn

For a funeral Mass program, outline only · 30 words · 205 characters
Why it works: it follows the main parts of a funeral Mass without inventing liturgical detail. Make it yours: the parish provides the readings to choose from and decides whether words of remembrance are included; ask before printing.

A funeral home service

Funeral home service

simple

Music – "Moon River"
Welcome – Celebrant
Reading – "Remember," by Christina Rossetti – Anne Walsh
Life Story – Celebrant
Tributes – Kathleen, Michael and Patrick Nolan
Moment of Reflection
Closing Words – Celebrant
Music as guests depart

For a non-religious funeral home service · 31 words · 237 characters
Why it works: a secular structure where family tributes are central. Make it yours: Christina Rossetti's poem "Remember" (1862) is in the public domain; for recent poems, check permissions.

A graveside service

Graveside

simple

Gathering
Opening Words – Pastor Tom Reyes
Scripture Reading
Words of Remembrance – Sarah Whitfield
Military Honors
Committal
Closing Prayer

For a short graveside service · 18 words · 140 characters
Why it works: graveside services are short; the program can be a single card. Make it yours: if military honors are planned, the funeral director coordinates them.

A celebration of life

Celebration of life

uplifting

Welcome – Rebecca Carter, daughter
Slideshow – "Linda's Life in Pictures"
Stories – Steve Moore, Diane Park, Tom Walsh
Open Microphone – share a memory
A Toast to Linda
Food, Music and Conversation

For a celebration of life in a community hall · 29 words · 197 characters
Why it works: informal parts are listed so guests know what will happen. Make it yours: see the celebration of life guide for planning.

Wording each line

  • Use titles as the person prefers: "Rev.", "Pastor", "Father", "Rabbi", "Celebrant."
  • For songs, put the title in quotation marks; add the performer if it is a person present.
  • For readings, give the title or reference and the reader's name.
  • For tributes, list names in speaking order.

To lay this out on a printed program, use the free funeral program template. To prepare a tribute, see how to write a eulogy.

Common questions

What is the order of a funeral service?

A common Protestant order is prelude, welcome, opening prayer, hymn, readings, obituary, eulogy or tributes, sermon, closing prayer, benediction and recessional. Catholic funeral Masses and other traditions have their own order; the officiant will guide you.

Where does the eulogy go in a funeral service?

Often after the readings and before the sermon or message. In a Catholic funeral Mass, words of remembrance, if permitted, usually come near the end; ask the parish. At a celebration of life, tributes are often the main part.

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