Crafting a Meaningful Farewell: A Comprehensive Guide to Ordering Funeral Service Programs

Losing a loved one is an incredibly difficult experience. Amidst the grief and sorrow, there are numerous practical arrangements to be made, one of which is the creation of an order of service, also known as a funeral program. This document serves as a roadmap for the funeral or memorial service, providing attendees with essential information and helping them to participate fully in honoring the deceased. Creating a thoughtful and personalized order of service can be a meaningful way to celebrate the life of your loved one and provide a lasting keepsake for those who attend.

This comprehensive guide will walk you through each step of the process, from gathering information and selecting a design to proofreading and printing. We’ll cover everything you need to know to create a beautiful and memorable order of service that reflects the unique personality and life of the person you’re celebrating.

## Understanding the Purpose of an Order of Service

Before diving into the practical steps, it’s important to understand the various roles an order of service plays:

* **Guidance:** It provides a clear outline of the service, ensuring that attendees know what to expect and when.
* **Information:** It includes details about the deceased, their life, and their family.
* **Participation:** It allows attendees to actively participate in the service through hymns, readings, and prayers.
* **Memorabilia:** It serves as a cherished memento of the service, offering comfort and remembrance in the days and years to come.
* **Tribute:** It honors the life and legacy of the deceased, highlighting their achievements, passions, and personality.

## Step-by-Step Guide to Creating an Order of Service

**1. Gather Essential Information:**

The first step is to gather all the necessary information you’ll need to include in the order of service. This may involve consulting with family members, the funeral director, and religious leaders. Here’s a breakdown of the key details:

* **Deceased’s Full Name and Dates:** This is the most basic information. Include the full name as it was formally known, the date of birth, and the date of death. Double-check these details for accuracy.
* **Service Details:**
* **Date and Time:** Confirm the exact date and time of the funeral or memorial service.
* **Location:** Provide the full address of the venue where the service will be held. This could be a church, funeral home, crematorium, or other meaningful location.
* **Officiant:** Include the name and title of the person conducting the service (e.g., Reverend John Smith, Celebrant Jane Doe).
* **Order of Events:** This is the core of the order of service and requires careful planning. Consider the following elements, which can be customized to reflect the deceased’s wishes and religious traditions:
* **Entrance Music:** The music played as attendees enter the venue.
* **Opening Remarks/Welcome:** A brief introduction and welcome by the officiant.
* **Opening Prayer/Invocation:** A prayer to begin the service (optional, depending on religious beliefs).
* **Eulogy:** A speech or series of speeches celebrating the life of the deceased. Identify who will be delivering the eulogy(s).
* **Readings:** Scripture passages, poems, or other meaningful texts read aloud. Specify the titles and the names of the readers.
* **Hymns/Songs:** Include the lyrics of any hymns or songs that will be sung during the service. Obtaining copyright permission for reproduced lyrics is important.
* **Prayers:** Prayers offered during the service, such as the Lord’s Prayer or specific prayers relevant to the deceased’s faith.
* **Tributes/Remembrances:** Time for family and friends to share brief stories or memories of the deceased.
* **Photo/Video Presentation:** If a slideshow or video is planned, note this in the order of service.
* **Committal Service (if applicable):** Details about the burial or cremation service.
* **Closing Prayer/Benediction:** A final prayer or blessing.
* **Recessional Music:** The music played as attendees leave the venue.
* **Obituary or Biographical Sketch:** A brief summary of the deceased’s life, highlighting their key achievements, interests, and relationships. This can be a shortened version of a longer obituary or a specially written tribute.
* **Photographs:** A carefully selected photograph of the deceased can add a personal touch to the order of service. Choose a photo that captures their personality and spirit.
* **Acknowledgements:** A section to thank those who have provided support during the bereavement period, such as caregivers, medical professionals, or friends and family who have offered assistance. This can also include mentioning charities for memorial donations.
* **Pallbearers (if applicable):** List the names of the pallbearers who will carry the casket.
* **Special Requests:** Include any specific requests from the deceased or their family, such as a dress code or a request for donations to a particular charity in lieu of flowers.

**2. Choose a Design and Layout:**

Once you have gathered all the necessary information, you can begin to think about the design and layout of your order of service. There are several options to consider:

* **Templates:** Numerous online resources offer pre-designed templates that can be easily customized with your own information and photos. These templates come in a variety of styles, from traditional to modern, and can save you time and effort.
* **DIY Design:** If you have design skills, you can create your own order of service from scratch using software such as Microsoft Word, Publisher, Adobe InDesign, or Canva. This gives you complete control over the design and layout.
* **Professional Design Services:** Many printing companies and graphic designers offer professional order of service design services. This is a good option if you want a high-quality, custom design but don’t have the time or skills to create it yourself.

When choosing a design, consider the following factors:

* **Style:** The design should reflect the personality and style of the deceased. A traditional design may be appropriate for a formal service, while a more modern design may be suitable for a less formal celebration of life.
* **Theme:** Consider incorporating a theme that reflects the deceased’s interests or hobbies. For example, if they loved gardening, you could use floral motifs in the design.
* **Color Scheme:** Choose a color scheme that is appropriate for the occasion. Neutral colors such as white, cream, and gray are traditional choices, but you can also incorporate colors that were meaningful to the deceased.
* **Font:** Select a clear and legible font that is easy to read. Avoid using overly decorative or script fonts, especially for large blocks of text.
* **Paper Stock:** Choose a paper stock that is appropriate for the design and printing method. A heavier paper stock will feel more substantial and will hold up better over time.
* **Format:** The most common formats are A4 folded to A5, or a longer DL size. Consider the amount of information you have when deciding on the format.

**3. Create a Detailed Outline:**

Before you start filling in the design, create a detailed outline that lists all the elements you want to include in the order of service, in the order they will appear. This will help you to organize your thoughts and ensure that you don’t forget anything important. The order of events, as mentioned earlier, will form the backbone of this outline.

**4. Populate the Template or Design:**

Now it’s time to start filling in the chosen design with the information you gathered and organized in the outline. Be careful to double-check all information for accuracy, paying close attention to names, dates, and times. Follow these guidelines:

* **Front Cover:**
* Deceased’s Full Name
* Photograph (optional)
* Dates of Birth and Death (optional)
* **Inside Pages:**
* Order of Events (clearly listed with times if appropriate)
* Hymn/Song Lyrics (ensure correct wording and attribution)
* Readings (full text or excerpts with source citation)
* Obituary/Biographical Sketch
* Acknowledgements
* Pallbearers (if applicable)
* **Back Cover:**
* A poem, verse, or quote (optional)
* A thank you message from the family
* Funeral home contact information
* Information about memorial donations (if applicable)

**5. Select Photos Carefully:**

Photographs can add a deeply personal touch to the order of service. Consider these factors when selecting photos:

* **Quality:** Choose high-resolution photos that will reproduce well in print. Avoid blurry or pixelated images.
* **Relevance:** Select photos that capture the deceased’s personality and spirit. Candid shots are often more meaningful than formal portraits.
* **Variety:** Include a variety of photos from different stages of their life, if possible.
* **Placement:** Consider where the photos will be placed in the order of service and how they will complement the text and design.

**6. Proofread Meticulously:**

This is perhaps the most crucial step in the process. Errors in the order of service can be distracting and disrespectful. Ask several people to proofread the document carefully, paying close attention to:

* **Spelling:** Check for any misspelled words, especially names and dates.
* **Grammar:** Ensure that the grammar is correct and that sentences are clear and concise.
* **Punctuation:** Pay attention to punctuation, especially commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks.
* **Accuracy:** Double-check all information for accuracy, including dates, times, locations, and names.
* **Consistency:** Ensure that the formatting is consistent throughout the document.

**7. Obtain Copyright Permissions:**

If you are including copyrighted material in the order of service, such as hymn lyrics, poems, or excerpts from books, you need to obtain permission from the copyright holder. This may involve contacting the publisher or the author directly. Many hymns are covered under blanket licenses held by churches, but it’s always best to confirm. There are also public domain options that bypass this requirement.

**8. Choose a Printing Option:**

Once you are satisfied with the design and content of your order of service, you need to choose a printing option. There are several options to consider:

* **Professional Printing:** This is the best option if you want a high-quality, professionally printed order of service. Many printing companies specialize in funeral programs and can offer a variety of paper stocks, finishes, and binding options.
* **Home Printing:** If you have a good-quality printer, you can print the order of service at home. This is a more affordable option, but the quality may not be as high as professional printing.
* **Funeral Home Printing:** Many funeral homes offer printing services for order of service programs. This can be a convenient option, as they are experienced in printing these types of documents.

When choosing a printing option, consider the following factors:

* **Quantity:** Determine how many copies you need to print. It’s always a good idea to print a few extra copies in case you run out.
* **Budget:** Set a budget for printing and choose an option that fits within your budget.
* **Timeline:** Consider how much time you have to print the order of service. Professional printing may take several days, while home printing can be done more quickly.
* **Quality:** Choose a printing option that will produce a high-quality, professional-looking order of service.

**9. Final Review and Approval:**

Before sending the order of service to print, have one final review with key family members to ensure everyone is happy with the content and design. This is the last chance to make any changes before the programs are printed.

**10. Distribution:**

Decide how you will distribute the order of service to attendees. The funeral director can usually assist with this. Common methods include:

* Placing them on seats before the service.
* Having ushers hand them out as people enter.
* Placing them on a table near the entrance.

## Alternatives to Traditional Printed Programs

In some cases, a printed order of service may not be practical or desired. Here are some alternatives:

* **Digital Order of Service:** Create a PDF version of the order of service and share it with attendees via email or a QR code that can be scanned at the service. This is a more environmentally friendly option.
* **Projected Order of Service:** Display the order of service on a screen during the service. This can be a good option for larger gatherings.
* **Verbal Announcements:** The officiant can announce the order of events during the service. This is a simple option for smaller gatherings.

## Tips for Personalizing the Order of Service

Here are some additional tips for personalizing the order of service and making it a truly meaningful tribute to your loved one:

* **Include Personal Anecdotes:** Share a few brief personal anecdotes or stories that highlight the deceased’s personality and character.
* **Use Their Favorite Colors or Fonts:** Incorporate their favorite colors or fonts into the design.
* **Include Their Hobbies or Interests:** Include images or symbols that represent their hobbies or interests.
* **Ask Family and Friends for Contributions:** Invite family and friends to contribute readings, poems, or memories to the order of service.
* **Incorporate Their Handwriting:** Scan a sample of their handwriting and include it in the order of service.
* **Add a Personal Message:** Include a personal message from the family to the deceased.

## Sample Order of Service Template

Here’s a basic example of how you could structure an order of service. Remember, this is just a template and you should adapt it to fit your specific needs and preferences:

**Front Cover:**

* [Photograph of Deceased]
* In Loving Memory of
* [Deceased’s Full Name]
* [Date of Birth] – [Date of Death]

**Inside Left Page:**

* Welcome and Introduction
* [Officiant’s Name and Title]
* Opening Prayer
* [Officiant’s Name]
* Reading
* [Title of Reading]
* [Reader’s Name]
* Hymn
* [Hymn Title]
* [Lyrics]

**Inside Right Page:**

* Eulogy
* [Speaker’s Name]
* Tributes/Remembrances
* (Open to family and friends)
* Hymn
* [Hymn Title]
* [Lyrics]
* Reading
* [Title of Reading]
* [Reader’s Name]

**Back Cover:**

* Acknowledgements
* The family would like to thank you for your kind support and attendance today.
* Donations in memory of [Deceased’s Name] may be made to [Charity Name] at [Website or Address].
* [Funeral Home Name and Contact Information]

## Conclusion

Creating an order of service is a significant undertaking during a time of grief. By carefully planning each element and personalizing it to reflect the unique life of the deceased, you can create a beautiful and meaningful tribute that will be cherished by those who attend the service. Remember to take your time, ask for help, and focus on creating a lasting memory of your loved one.