What to Include in a Funeral Program
Use a practical funeral program checklist for facts, photos, obituary, order of service, optional sections, and print checks.
- Required sections
- Optional additions
- Print-readiness checks
What is usually included in a funeral program?
A typical funeral program includes a cover with the person's name and dates, an obituary or short life story, the order of service, photos, readings or prayers, and a family acknowledgement. Longer booklets may also add tributes, pallbearers, reception details, or more photos. Every fact and service detail should be confirmed before printing.
No national body currently measures typical funeral program page counts; see our funeral program and memorial printing statistics for the documented data gap.
| Part | What to include or confirm |
|---|---|
| Cover | Full name, birth and death dates, portrait, and a remembrance line. |
| Life story | An obituary, short biography, or family-approved tribute. |
| Service sequence | Music, readings, prayers, speakers, tributes, and closing instructions. |
| Supporting content | Photos, verses, poems, acknowledgements, and participant names. |
| Guest details | Venue, date and time, livestream, reception, or donation information when needed. |
| Final checks | Names, dates, page order, photo quality, paper size, duplex, and fold direction. |
By the Funeral Program Maker Editorial Team · Updated · Editorial standards
Common questions
What is usually included in a funeral program?
Most programs include a cover, obituary or life story, order of service, photos, readings or prayers, and an acknowledgement from the family.
Do I need an obituary in the program?
It is common but not required. Some families use a short life story, a tribute paragraph, or a longer booklet with multiple remembrance sections.
What should I check before printing?
Check names, dates, service details, photo quality, page order, blank fields, and the print settings for paper size, duplex, and folding.