What to put on a memorial program

The memorial program is the small printed thing each guest holds during the service. It does two jobs. It tells people what is happening, in order, so no one is lost. And it gives them something to keep. A program with a photo and the dates and a line of poetry often ends up in a kitchen drawer for years. This page is a checklist for what belongs in it.

The cover

Four elements. The full name of the person who died, the years they lived (1948 to 2026, with the word to spelled out, not an en-dash), a photograph, and a short phrase. The phrase can be a role (Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother), a faith line (In loving memory), or a single word the family chose (Remembered). Keep the cover quiet. White space is dignity.

If you are starting from a blank page, our funeral program template gives you a fillable structure you can hand to the printer.

The order of service

This is the spine of the inside pages. List each piece in the order it happens, with the name of the person who is leading or speaking. The attendees will follow along, and the people speaking will know when their turn is coming. Print times only if the service is over an hour and the family wants guests to track it.

A standard order looks like this:

• Prelude music (song title and artist)
• Welcome (officiant or family member)
• Opening reading or prayer
• First eulogy (name of speaker)
• Musical interlude or congregational hymn
• Second eulogy or shared reflections
• Closing reading or prayer
• Recessional music
• Committal (graveside, if happening that day)
• Reception details

A short obituary or biography

Most programs include a 150 to 300 word version of the obituary on one of the inside pages. Not the full newspaper version. The short version gives the highlights. Born in, raised in, married, children, work, passions, the last paragraph about who they leave behind. If you have not started this yet, our piece on how to write an obituary walks through the structure.

Poems, prayers, and readings

If the service includes a poem or scripture, print the full text in the program so guests can read along. People do this involuntarily, and it keeps the room together. Common choices: Mary Oliver, Wendell Berry, a Psalm, an Irish blessing. Attribute the author. If the family has a favorite that is not in the public domain, write to the publisher; most grant permission for one-time funeral use without charge.

The back page

The back is for the things you want guests to leave with. A short thank-you from the family, the reception address and time, and the memorial gift information. The standard last line is: In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of [name] may be made to [charity with address or web URL]. Our piece on in lieu of flowers wording has more phrasing options.

For local context including funeral home print services, see our Chicago funeral planning page or browse the city directory.

A simple example

Front: Helen Marie Brennan. 1936 to 2026. Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Inside left: Order of service, eight items. Inside right: Short biography, 200 words. Back: Mary Oliver poem, reception at the parish hall, memorial gifts to the parish food pantry, thank-you from the family.

Common questions

How many pages should it be?

Most are a single folded sheet (four printed sides). For longer services, a gatefold gives you eight sides.

Do we need a photo on the cover?

Not required, but most families want one. A single portrait taken before illness, with the dates printed below.

What goes on the back page?

A poem or short reading, the thank-you from the family, the reception location, and the memorial gift information.

Who prints the program?

Usually the funeral home. Local print shops can turn around 50 to 200 copies in 24 hours from a PDF.