Funeral Planning

Funeral planning can be an overwhelming task. It is can be difficult to make decisions during such an emotional time. Whether you're planning a loved one’s funeral or pre-planning your own, the process can be difficult if you do not know or understand your options. Begin by considering these four important questions.

1. What is your budget for the funeral or memorial service?
2. Do you want the body to be present at the funeral?
3. Will you have a religious or traditional funeral or a contemporary funeral or memorial service?
4. Which people will accomplish the many administrative tasks (such as creating funeral programs, selecting speakers for the service and writing obituaries) associated with funeral planning?

Answering these key questions will put you well on your way to planning the perfect funeral or memorial service that fits into your budget.

Funeral Program Examples

There are several funeral program examples available on the internet. Check out some examples of funeral programs at Elegant Memorials. Also, browse our extensive Funeral and Memorial Resources Section that has a variety of funeral poems, scriptures, funeral readings, obituary template information and much more.

Funeral Program Designs

Funeral programs can enhance your funeral or memorial service and give it a very personalized touch. The following tips can help you to choose a memorial or funeral program template that best represents your loved ones personality. The right design teamed with the perfect funeral poem, prayer or scripture will make your funeral program special.

1. Select a funeral program design that best represents your loved ones personality, such as a simple, straight-forward, conservative.

2. Find the right funeral poem, funeral reading, or song (lyrics) that offers consolation to you or meant a lot to your loved one. Also, consider using personalized letters, notes, quotes or other readings in the funeral program.

3. Include a photo of your loved one. Decide if you want a recent photo, or an older photograph such as a photo from a wedding, from high school, or the military

4. Consider using family photos or photo collages in the funeral program

5. List information about special life events (e.g. graduations, marriages, military service/awards, jobs, volunteer service, and retirement)

Funeral Planning

If you are planning a loved one’s funeral or pre-planning your own, the process can be much easier if you understand your options. Consider these four important questions.

1. What is your budget for the funeral or memorial service?
2. Will the body be present at the funeral?
3. Will you have a religious or traditional funeral or a contemporary funeral or memorial service?
4. Which people will accomplish the many administrative tasks (such as creating funeral programs, selecting speakers for the service and writing obituaries) associated with funeral planning?

Answering these key questions will put you well on your way to planning the perfect funeral or memorial service that fits into your budget. For more detailed information about funeral planning, see this funeral planning article.

Funeral Readings

Funeral Readings play a major part in any funeral or memorial service. Funeral readings help bring comfort to grieving mourners. Readings also help family and friends convey their feelings during this difficult time. Funeral readings can consist of a variety of sources. The most common funeral readings are:

• Funeral Poems
• Funeral Scriptures
• Funeral Prayers
• Famous quotes and sayings
• Original poetry

Readings are also included in funeral programs and other printed funeral documents. Readings can be found in everywhere, especially the internet where there are a variety of funeral reading resources.

Funeral and Bereavement Poems

Funeral Poems are an integral part of any funeral, homegoing, memorial or celebration of life service. They help to provide comforting words to friends and family. The are also an easy way to convey feelings, without having to compose the words yourself. Poems are used during the actual funeral service, at burial site, or ashes scattering ceremony. They are also used in funeral printed materials, such as funeral programs, funeral program templates, acknowledgement cards and prayer cards.

The internet is an excellent source of funeral poems. There are many sites that list free poems. These poems are often categorized according to relationships, including poems for mothers, fathers, children, grandmothers, grandfathers and illness, and many more. Elegant Memorials also has a wide variety poems:
Funeral and Memorial Poems for Mother - Mom - Grandmother
Funeral and Memorial Poems for Father - Dad - Grandfather
Funeral and Memorial Poems for Kids - Children - Babies

Selecting a Funeral Program Template Design

These few questions will help you to create a memorial service bulletin template or funeral program template that fits your needs. Together, we will be able to offer those in attendance at the service a cherished keepsake of your loved one’s life.

1. What best matches your loved one’s personality? Simple, straight-forward, conservative (subtle shades of softer colors, such as pink and lavender) or wild and adventurous (splashes of red, purple, and orange).

2. Does you loved one have a favorite place that he or she enjoyed frequently, such as the beach, camping or gardening? Did he or she enjoy spring or fall? You can usually find a theme or design that depicts these places.

3. Is there a particular funeral poem, reading, or religious text that offers consolation to you or meant a great deal to your loved one? Often, personalized letters and notes are included in the funeral program.

4. If you wish to include a picture, do you want a recent photo of your loved one, or perhaps an older photograph such as a photo from a wedding, from high school, or the military?

5. Would you like to include family photos (such as photo collages) in the funeral program?

6. Did your loved one participate in a special hobby or hold a unique position of which he or she was particularly proud, and do you feel it may be appropriate to include such a theme in the funeral program template?

7. Do you wish to have a listing of special life events (e.g. graduations, marriages, military service/awards, jobs, volunteer service, and retirement) included in the funeral program?

8. Do you wish to have a listing of family members, both living and pre-deceased, included in the funeral program?

What is a Funeral Program

The funeral program (sometimes called a memorial service bulletin or funeral order of service booklet) is the printed document that outlines events in the funeral or memorial service and summarizes the life achievements of your deceased loved one. The family of the deceased usually prepares the information for the funeral program. The family may work with the funeral home or church to design the funeral program template, or they may use a company such as Elegant Memorials to create a customized funeral program template that can also serve as a keepsake.

The Funeral Program Template Layout

Funeral Program Cover:
The cover of the funeral program sometimes has a picture of the deceased, as well as their full legal name, date of birth, date of death, location and time of service, and a title for the funeral program (ex. “In Memory”, “Homegoing Celebration, etc.” "In Remembrance").

Order of Service:
The Order of Service is the next key section of the funeral program. This is the part of the funeral program that outlines the order of events for the service. The information in this section of the funeral program will be greatly effected by the cultural and religious beliefs of the deceased. If the service will is run by religious clergy, it may be best to contact your religious officiates. The funeral director will also have information, and may be able to provide you with a “typical” service outline for your funeral program. A typical Order of Service in a funeral program will contain the Prelude, Processional, Prayer, Song (Hymn of Comfort), Reading (Scripture, Poem, Prayer, Old Testament, and New Testament), Acknowledgments, Cards & Condolences, Obituary Reading, Eulogy, Final Viewing, Benediction, Recessional, and Interment location.

Obituary:
The funeral program will also contain a written obituary. The Obituary details the biographical highlights of the deceased person’s life. The obituary in the funeral program will detail where the person was born, where they lived, any information about their spouse, children and other information such as hobbies, and personal stories will be shared. It is important that the information in the obituary is reviewed to include accuracy of dates and names.

Surviving Family Members:
The immediate family members mother, father, sisters, brothers, should be listed first. Secondly, the immediate family, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, In-laws, Grandparents, and Grandchildren should be listed. Predeceased family members may also be included in the funeral program to establish genealogy or relation of the person to an extended family.

The Back of the Funeral Program:
The back of the funeral program may include a poem, favorite song or prayer. The final section of the program may also include a personal quote from a family member, listing of pall bearers (men that carry the casket), flower bearers (women traditionally carry flowers and place them on the alter) or special acknowledgements (short thank you from the family).

When designing a funeral program, it is important to remember that the funeral program is a keepsake that represents the life of your loved one. The funeral program should be detailed and share the unique personality traits of your loved one.

Elegant Memorials Funeral Program Templates and Keepsakes

Elegant Memorials Funeral Program Templates and Keepsakes is a design company that helps you cherish your loved one's memories by providing quality funeral program templates (or memorial service bulletin templates) and memorial keepsakes. Our funeral program templates are available for immediate download. We provide funeral programs template designs in a variety of colors, themes and layouts. We have over 20 creative and colorful funeral program designs to help you capture your loved ones uniqueness. Elegant Memorials also creates memorial prayer cards and thank you cards.
In addition to funeral programs and funeral program templates, the Elegant Memorials website also has an extensive funeral and memorial planning section. You will find lots of useful information about planning memorial services, how to write a eulogy or obituary, selecting a funeral program template design and much more.