What do you include in a funeral Order of Service?

Order of Service:
Your Guide to Creating a Meaningful Keepsake

When families are planning a funeral or memorial service, one question that often comes up is whether they need an order of service booklet. While they're certainly not mandatory, these little booklets can become so much more than just a program – they're often treasured keepsakes that families hold close for years to come.

What Actually Goes Into an Order of Service?

An order of service is essentially your roadmap for the ceremony, but it's also an opportunity to honour and celebrate the person you're saying goodbye to. Here's what typically goes inside:

The Front Cover usually features your loved one's name, dates of birth and passing, and often a beautiful photograph that captures their essence. Sometimes families include a meaningful quote or Bible verse that reflects their person's beliefs or personality.

Inside the booklet, you'll find the actual order of proceedings – things like the welcome, prayers, hymns or songs, eulogies, readings, and any special tributes. If there are hymns or songs that everyone will sing together, the words are usually printed so everyone can participate.

Many families also include a brief obituary or life story, sharing the highlights of their loved one's journey. Photos scattered throughout the pages help tell that story visually – perhaps showing them as a young person, with family, pursuing hobbies they loved, or simply capturing their beautiful smile.

The back cover often features a final photo, a thank you message from the family, or details about the wake or gathering afterwards.

Are They Really Necessary?

Honestly? No, they're not essential. Your ceremony will be just as meaningful without one. But here's the thing – they serve some lovely purposes that many families find comforting.

For guests, especially in larger services, having that order of service helps everyone feel included and know what's happening when. There's something reassuring about being able to follow along, especially during emotional moments when it's hard to focus.

Most funeral homes will include a basic order of service as part of their service package, which takes one thing off your plate during an already busy time. However, if you'd like more control over the design and content, you can absolutely create your own using design software like Canva (which has beautiful funeral templates) and have them printed at places like Officeworks. This gives you complete creative freedom to make something truly personal.

For the family, creating the order of service can actually be part of the healing process. Choosing photos, deciding what to include about their loved one's life, selecting meaningful readings – it's all part of honouring them and processing your grief.

Why Do People Treasure Them as Keepsakes?

I've seen grown adults carefully preserve their grandparent's order of service from decades ago, and there's something really beautiful about that. These booklets become tangible memories when everything else feels so intangible.

They capture not just the formal details of the service, but the essence of the person being remembered. Years later, family members can look through and remember exactly how Uncle Bob's favourite song made everyone smile through their tears, or re-read the beautiful poem their cousin shared.

For family history, they're gold. Future generations will have a snapshot of not just when great-grandma passed away, but who she was, what she loved, and how she was remembered by those who knew her best. They often include details that might otherwise be forgotten – like her maiden name, where she was born, or the little quirks that made her special.

Making Them Personal and Special

This is where you can really let your creativity and love shine through. Here are some beautiful ways I've seen families personalise their order of service:

Choose photos that tell a story – not just formal portraits, but candid shots that show their personality. The photo of Dad in his garden, Mum laughing at Christmas dinner, or your sister with her beloved dog.

Include their own words – perhaps a favourite saying they were known for, a poem they wrote, or even a funny quote that everyone will remember them by.

Reflect their passions – if they loved the ocean, maybe incorporate wave designs or blues and greens. If they were a keen gardener, perhaps include floral elements or their favourite flower.

Add personal touches – their handwriting reproduced as a design element, their signature, or even a recipe they were famous for. I've seen families include their loved one's favourite Bible verse, a song lyric that meant something special, or a quote from their favourite book.

Make it interactive – some families include a page where guests can write a memory or message, creating an instant keepsake that captures the love shared on that day.

Think about texture and quality – choosing beautiful paper or adding a ribbon tie can make the booklet feel more special and lasting.

The Bottom Line

Whether you choose to create an order of service or not, remember that there's no right or wrong way to honour someone you love. Some families prefer to keep things simple and intimate, while others find comfort in creating something detailed and lasting.

If you do decide to create one, don't stress about making it perfect. The most meaningful order of service booklets I've seen weren't necessarily the most professionally designed – they were the ones filled with love, authentic memories, and genuine celebration of a life well-lived.

These little booklets might seem like just another detail to organize during an already overwhelming time, but they often become unexpected treasures that help keep precious memories alive for generations to come.

If you're planning a funeral or memorial service and would like guidance on creating an order of service, I'm here to help make this process as gentle and meaningful as possible.