A funeral program template is a way to create something unique and special to honor your loved one while also guiding guests through the order of service at a funeral. Saying goodbye to someone you love during the funeral often involves many parts, and a funeral program helps guests understand every step of the process.
Because you already have enough on your plate, we created a funeral program template specifically with modern funerals in mind. There’s no need to create something from scratch when we’ve done the hard work for you.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- What Goes Into a Funeral Program?
- Download Your Free Modern Funeral Program
- How to Download and Edit Your Free Modern Funeral Program
- How to Print Your Funeral Program Template
Each funeral deserves a gorgeous, memorable program. These designs below are easy to edit, download, and print depending on your needs. Keep reading to learn more about this process as well as how to snag your own free modern funeral program templates.
What Goes Into a Funeral Program?
From an obituary for a funeral program to the order of service, what information should you include for your guests? While much of this is up to personal preference, here’s what’s commonly included:
- Service information: Information about where the service is held, times, address, and who is leading the service.
- Photo: There is usually a cover photo included with the funeral program, and this is typically a family photo or a photo of the deceased.
- Order of service: The most important part of the funeral program is the order of service, explaining each part of the service chronologically.
- Obituary: The written obituary is usually also included in the program.
- Memorial poems or prayers: If space allows, the family might also include a prayer or passage in honor of the deceased. You might also list any specific players from the service, like the closing prayer for a funeral.
- Reception: If there is to be a repast or reception, information about this will be in the program as well.
- Donation: It’s not uncommon to request donations in lieu of flowers or to support a special cause. In this case, learn how to manage text wording for a memorial donation.
- Thanks: Lastly, the family might include special thanks to guests, loved ones, and so on.
It’s up to you to decide what exactly will go into your loved one’s funeral program. From touching messages to a matter-of-fact order of service, there is no “right” or “wrong” process. Let our template be your guide, and make decisions from there.
Download Your Free Modern Funeral Program
To download your program, use the form below. There are two different program designs to choose from, both modern and unique. Select the one you like best once you’ve downloaded the zip file below.
How to Download and Edit Your Free Modern Funeral Program
It’s easy to download and edit your free modern funeral program with no tech experience needed. As long as you have a word processor, it’s easy to begin. Follow the steps below to download and edit your free modern funeral program.
For Microsoft Word
Microsoft Word is the easiest tool for editing your funeral program. To get started, follow these steps:
- Download your template using the button below.
- Unzip the file on your computer. Here’s how to unzip on a Mac and how to unzip on a PC.
- From there, open your template of choice in Microsoft Word.
- Change the text to reflect your service, your loved one’s details, and obituary.
- Update the photo by selecting it, right-clicking, and selecting “Change Photo.” You can upload a photo from your device and adjust the sizing so it fits the template.
- Save your document by going to File and clicking Save As.
- You’re ready to print or share your document.
For Google Docs
Google Docs is a free, online alternative to Microsoft Word. However, it’s important to note that your template is designed in Microsoft Word format, so some sizing and visuals might need adjusting in Google Docs. Here’s what to do:
- Download your template using the button below.
- Unzip the file on your computer. Here’s how to unzip on a Mac and how to unzip on a PC.
- Sign in to your Google Drive and go to New, Upload File, and select the template you’d like to use.
- Your Word file will be saved on Google Drive. Double click on the file name to bring the visual preview. At the top, select Open in Google Docs.
- You’ll now see your template in Google Docs, and you might need to adjust some of the sizing and spacing.
- Lastly, add your own photo and text.
- To export, go to File and select Download to Computer.
How to Print Your Funeral Program Template
Once you’ve created your funeral program using one of the templates above, it’s time to print it for the service. It’s common to hand these programs out to all guests during the service, and many people hold onto them for years into the future to honor their deceased loved ones.
You have two main options when it comes to printing your funeral templates: DIY or professional service. If you or someone you know owns a large, high-quality printer, you can easily print these yourself. However, they’ll need to be double-sided which can be tricky. You might also want them to be in high-quality color.
To take a DIY project up a level, you can invest in quality paper like cardstock. This gives it a more polished, professional touch without the cost of a printing service.
If you’d rather have someone else take care of it, there are a number of local and national services that will print a large number of funeral programs. This can run you between $20 to $100 depending on how many you need to print, paper quality, and color content.
That being said, this is a convenient and professional way to get your template looking its best for your loved one’s service.
Save and Share Your Free Funeral Program
A funeral program template saves you both time and money. While you can always design a program yourself, this is a complicated process, and you already have enough on your plate. Planning a funeral involves a lot of steps. Let’s take one of those off your shoulders so you can focus on healing and being with family.
If you’re looking for a free funeral program that’s modern and trendy, these are the right pick for you. Many funeral templates online feel outdated and stuffy. These are fun, modern, and help celebrate your loved one’s life.
A program is something you’ll hold onto to remind you of the funeral service for years to come. Perfect for a memento box, urn, or other remembrance practice, don’t overlook this simple task.