An order of service is the printed booklet or card that people are handed as they arrive at a funeral. It lists the running order of the service, often includes the words of hymns and readings, and usually has a photo of the person on the front. Many people take it home and keep it.
It is usually put together by the family, the funeral director or a local printer. Most funeral directors offer to design and print it for you, so you only need to give them the wording and the photos. Whoever makes it, the family will need to agree the content with the minister, celebrant or officiant first, because the running order depends on what they have planned.
The cover
The cover normally has the person's full name, their dates of birth and death, and a photo. Some families add the date, time and place of the funeral. There is usually a short line above or below the name. Here are some common options:
In loving memory of
The most common choice, suitable for any serviceA celebration of the life of
Often used for a lighter service or a humanist funeralA service of thanksgiving for the life of
Traditional wording for a church serviceRemembering
Short and simple, followed by the nameForever in our hearts
Usually placed below the name and dates
If the person was known by a nickname, you can include it, for example "Eileen Patricia Heywood (Pat)". Write the dates in full, such as "14th May 1938 - 2nd September 2026", so there is no confusion.
The inside: the running order
Inside, list each part of the service in order, with the name of whoever is leading or speaking. A typical running order includes:
- Entrance music, played as the coffin is brought in or as people take their seats
- Welcome, from the minister, celebrant or officiant
- Readings, with the title and the name of the reader
- Hymns or songs, with the words if people are expected to sing
- Eulogy or tribute, with the name of the person giving it
- Prayers or a time for reflection, depending on the kind of service
- Committal, when the family says a final goodbye
- Exit music, as people leave
You don't need to include timings. It helps to put music titles and the artist in brackets, for example "Entrance music: Over the Rainbow (Eva Cassidy)".
Example running orders
These are examples only. Every minister, celebrant and venue does things a little differently, so confirm the order with them before you print anything.
A church funeral
| Part of the service | Example |
|---|---|
| Entrance | Organ music as the coffin is carried in |
| Welcome and opening prayer | The minister |
| Hymn | The Lord's My Shepherd |
| Reading | Psalm 23, read by a grandchild |
| Eulogy | Given by a son or daughter |
| Hymn | Abide with Me |
| Address and prayers | The minister, ending with the Lord's Prayer |
| Commendation and blessing | The minister |
| Exit music | Organ music as the coffin leaves |
A crematorium service
Crematorium services have a fixed time slot, so there is usually room for one or two readings, one eulogy and perhaps one hymn. See how long a eulogy should be for help fitting everything in.
| Part of the service | Example |
|---|---|
| Entrance music | A favourite piece of music |
| Welcome | The minister or celebrant |
| Reading | A poem, read by a friend |
| Eulogy | Given by a family member |
| Hymn or reflection music | Sung together, or played while people sit quietly |
| Prayer or words of reflection | The minister or celebrant |
| Committal | Curtains close around the coffin, if the family wishes |
| Exit music | Played as people leave |
A humanist funeral
A humanist funeral has no religious content. It is led by a humanist celebrant and usually centres on the story of the person's life.
| Part of the service | Example |
|---|---|
| Entrance music | A song the person loved |
| Welcome and introduction | The celebrant |
| Reading | A non-religious poem, read by a grandchild |
| Tribute | The life story, told by the celebrant or a family member |
| Reflection | Music with a few minutes of quiet, sometimes with photos on a screen |
| Further tributes | Short words from a friend or colleague |
| Committal | Words of farewell from the celebrant |
| Closing words and exit music | The celebrant, then music as people leave |
The back page
The back page usually thanks people for coming and tells them what happens next. It can also carry donation details and a second photo. You can use or adapt any of the wording below.
Thank-you wording
The family would like to thank you all for coming today, and for the cards, flowers and kind messages they have received.
Thank you for joining us to remember Brian. It would have meant a great deal to him to see you all here.
We would like to thank the staff at Heathfield Care Home for the care and kindness they showed Mum.
Donations wording
Family flowers only, please. Donations in memory of Eileen may be made to the RNLI, either in the retiring collection or through the funeral director.
If you would like to make a donation in Brian's memory, the family have chosen the British Heart Foundation. There will be a collection at the door as you leave.
Wake wording
You are warmly invited to join the family afterwards at The Crown, Station Road, for refreshments.
Please join us at Barnsley Cricket Club after the service to share memories of Pat.
The family will be holding a private committal. Everyone is welcome to join us afterwards at the village hall.
Practical points
How many copies. Work out roughly how many people will come, then add 10 to 20 extra. Relatives who can't attend often ask for a copy to keep.
Printing deadlines. Ask your printer or funeral director how much notice they need. Many ask for the final wording several days before the funeral, so they have time to send you a proof and print it. Leave time to make corrections after you see the proof.
Photos. Choose a clear photo where the person's face is easy to see. If you only have a printed photo, the printer can usually scan it for you. Photos taken on a phone are normally fine if they are sharp and haven't been sent through a messaging app, which can lower the quality.
Checking spellings and dates. Ask at least two people to read the proof. Check the spelling of the person's full name, the dates, the names of readers and speakers, and the titles of hymns and music. Mistakes are easy to make when you are tired and upset.
Hymn words. If people are going to sing, print the words so they can follow along. Most older traditional hymns are out of copyright. Modern hymns, newer versions of older hymns and the lyrics of popular songs may still be in copyright, so ask your funeral director or minister before printing them. Churches and funeral directors often hold a licence that covers this. You don't usually print the words of a song that is only being played.
Readings. Some families print the words of readings too. If you're still choosing, our page on funeral readings and poems has some well-known options and advice on reading one aloud.
Things that can go in, if you'd like
- A few photos from different times in the person's life, often across the centre pages
- A short poem or a favourite saying of theirs
- A short paragraph about their life, if there won't be a full eulogy
- The names of the bearers who carried the coffin
If you are also speaking at the service, you may find our guides on how to write a eulogy and other funeral speeches useful. There is no need to do everything at once. Many families finish the order of service first, because it has the earliest deadline.
Common questions
Who normally makes the funeral order of service?
Usually the family, the funeral director or a local printer. Many funeral directors will design and print it for you from your wording and photos. Some families make it themselves at home or with an online template, then take it to a printer.
How many orders of service should we print?
Estimate how many people are likely to come, then add around 10 to 20 extra for people you didn't expect and for family who want to keep a copy. If you really aren't sure, ask the funeral director how many people usually attend a similar service.
Can we print the words of hymns and songs in the order of service?
Older traditional hymns are usually fine to print. Modern hymns, newer versions of old ones and the lyrics of pop songs may still be in copyright. Churches and funeral directors often have a licence that covers this, so ask them before you print the words.
Do you have to have an order of service at a funeral?
No. It's common in the UK, and many people keep theirs, but there is no rule. Some families print a simple single card with a photo and the running order, and some have nothing printed at all.
Should the eulogy be printed in the order of service?
Normally only the words "Eulogy" or "Tribute" and the speaker's name are printed. Some families print a short poem or a few lines about the person inside, but the full eulogy is usually read aloud and not printed.