Resource Guide • DIY Templates • Wording • Printing • Digital Sharing

DIY Funeral Program Templates: A Family Guide to Design, Wording, Printing, and Sharing

The Funeral Program Site built this page for real families who need a program fast, but still want it to look thoughtful and well put together. When someone passes away, time moves differently. There are urgent phone calls, sudden decisions, and a long list of details that must be handled while you are still processing loss. A funeral program is one of the few items that can bring a little order to the day. It welcomes guests, lists what will happen during the service, and preserves a story and a photo that many people keep as a lasting reminder.

If you are creating the program yourself, you may feel pressure to get everything “just right.” The truth is, a meaningful program does not need fancy design. It needs clarity, warmth, and accuracy. Templates help because they remove the most frustrating technical parts—spacing, margins, and fold setup—so you can focus on the words and images that honor your loved one. This guide walks you through choosing the right format, collecting content, editing photos, proofing carefully, printing with confidence, and sharing a digital copy for relatives who cannot attend.

Many people start with a blank document and quickly get stuck on layout decisions: where the obituary should go, how big the text should be, and how to format a program so it folds correctly. A template solves that problem by giving you a structure that already works. When you open it, you see where each section belongs. Then you fill in your details and adjust wording until it reads smoothly. If you want a simple place to begin, these funeral program templates can help you move forward without redoing your formatting over and over.

What a DIY funeral program template is

A DIY funeral program template is a pre-built layout created for a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. It includes a cover panel and inside panels with organized sections such as the order of service, obituary or life tribute, and acknowledgments. Many templates also include designated photo areas so you can insert images without guessing how to size or align them. Because the file is built for printing, the margins are already safe for most printers and the panels are arranged so the pages land in the right order after folding.

Think of a template as a calm framework. It does not tell you what to say, but it gives you the right place to say it. When life feels chaotic, having a structure can reduce stress and help you avoid last-minute mistakes. You still decide what content to include, what photo best represents the person, and what tone feels appropriate. The template simply holds everything in a clean, readable format that guests can follow.

Why templates make planning feel more manageable

One reason families choose templates is speed. Instead of building a layout from scratch, you are making targeted edits. You replace placeholder text with real names and dates, paste in the obituary or life tribute, and insert photos. That editing approach is faster and usually produces a more consistent look. Templates also reduce the temptation to over-design. In a funeral program, simplicity is often the most respectful choice. A clean layout gives guests space to breathe and keeps attention on the message and the service itself.

Templates also help you coordinate input from multiple people. One relative can draft the obituary, another can gather names for the order of service, and another can send photos. When everything arrives, the person assembling the program can place each piece into the template and proof it carefully. This teamwork keeps one person from carrying the entire load alone.

Choosing the right program format

The first decision is format, and the right choice depends on how much content you plan to include. A bifold program is the most common option. It uses one sheet printed front and back, folded in half. This format works well for most services because it provides space for a cover, an order of service, a short obituary or life tribute, and a few photos. If your text is moderate and you want a classic look that guests recognize, a bifold is often the best fit.

If you have longer content—multiple readings, song lyrics, several photos, or extended tributes—a booklet format may work better. A booklet gives you more room and helps you keep the font size readable. Avoid shrinking text just to make everything fit. People hold programs during services, and if they cannot read comfortably, they stop using the program as a guide. A booklet can prevent that problem while still keeping the design clean.

A trifold can look modern and compact, but it requires careful proofing because panel order matters. If you choose a trifold, print one test copy first and fold it. Make sure the cover panel is correct, the inside panels are in the right sequence, and the back panel contains the information you want. That one step can save you from printing an entire stack incorrectly.

A quick content checklist before you begin

Gather these items first: the exact spelling of the full name, dates of birth and passing, service date and time, venue name and address, officiant name, names of speakers and readers, song titles, and any readings or scriptures. Draft the obituary or life tribute in a separate document so you can paste it in. Choose one cover photo and two to five additional photos for inside panels. Put everything in one folder so you are not searching for files at the last minute.

Video guidance

Format comparison

If you are deciding between formats, use this chart to match your content to the space available. The best choice is the one that keeps your program readable and calm. A funeral program is meant to support guests, not overwhelm them with cramped text.

Format	Best For	Typical Inclusions	Helpful Notes
Bifold	Most funerals and memorials	Cover, order of service, tribute, photos, acknowledgments	Classic and familiar; prints quickly and works well when content is moderate.
Trifold	Very concise services	Short schedule, brief tribute, quote or verse, small photo set	Panel order must be checked with a proof copy before printing a full run.
Booklet	More content or keepsake focus	Extended tribute, multiple photos, poems, lyrics, multiple tributes	Helps avoid tiny fonts; best when you have more readings or a longer life story.

What to include in your program

Most programs include the essentials guests expect. The cover typically includes the name, dates, and a phrase like “In Loving Memory” or “Celebrating the Life.” Some families add a short scripture, quote, or poem line on the cover. Inside, the order of service lists what will happen and in what order. This keeps guests from feeling lost and supports the flow of the ceremony.

The obituary or life tribute is where the program becomes personal. You can write it in a traditional obituary style with key life events and family names, or you can write it as a warm tribute focusing on character, relationships, and what people loved most. If you feel unsure about length, aim for two to four short paragraphs. You can always expand if you have space, but clarity matters more than quantity.

Optional sections can include acknowledgments, pallbearers, clergy, musicians, and a final message of thanks. If music is central to the service, lyrics can be included so guests can participate. If you plan to mention donations, keep the wording simple and clear. The program should be easy to scan and comfortable to hold, especially for guests who are emotional or older.

Editing tips that keep everything looking polished

Keep body text readable. If you are shrinking the font to fit a long paragraph, it is often better to shorten the paragraph or move content to a format with more space. Use consistent headings and spacing. Avoid switching fonts multiple times. A simple design is usually the most respectful and visually calming.

For photos, choose a cover image that is clear and recognizable. Inside photos can show different seasons of life—family moments, milestones, hobbies, and everyday memories. When cropping, keep faces centered and avoid cutting off important features. If a photo is slightly blurry, it can still work inside at a smaller size, but a sharper image is best for the cover.

Printing and paper: how to avoid last-minute problems

Always print one proof copy before printing the full quantity. Fold it and check panel order, especially for trifolds. Read the text for names and dates with extra care. If possible, have one other person proofread, because fresh eyes catch mistakes quickly. Save a print-ready PDF, since PDFs preserve layout and help prevent unexpected formatting changes.

Paper choice depends on time and budget. Standard paper is fine for home printing. Heavier stock feels more like a keepsake and holds up better. If using heavier paper, fold carefully to prevent cracking along the fold line. Local print shops can often print folded programs quickly if you provide a clean PDF and request a single proof before the full run.

Digital sharing for friends and relatives who cannot attend

Many families share a digital copy of the program so relatives can follow along from a distance, especially if there is a livestream. Export your program as a PDF and share it through email, text, or a private family group. The benefit of using a template is that your printed and digital versions match perfectly, so everyone sees the same order of service, photos, and tribute wording.

Digital copies are also helpful later. People may misplace paper programs, but a saved PDF can be shared again, printed later for relatives, or kept in a family archive. If you want the program to remain easy to find, save it in a clearly labeled folder using the full name and service date.

Audio guide

If the audio does not load, refresh the page or open the file in a new tab. The transcript below covers the same topic so you can still follow along.

Audio transcript: Funeral Program Templates (updated)

Welcome, and thank you for listening. This is The Funeral Program Site, and this audio is here to make one part of planning feel simpler: creating a funeral program that looks organized, respectful, and easy for guests to follow. If you are working on a program right now, you are probably juggling a lot. You may be coordinating family input, confirming service details, and trying to make decisions while you are still grieving. So first, take a breath. You do not need to be a designer to create something meaningful. You need a clear structure, accurate details, and a calm layout that keeps everything readable. A funeral program template is a pre-designed file built for a funeral or memorial. It already has the framework in place—things like margins, spacing, headings, and panel order—so the pieces print and fold correctly. When you open a template, you will see placeholder text and photo boxes. Your job is simply to replace those placeholders with your loved one’s information, the order of service, and the words you want to share. Before you begin typing, gather your essentials. You want the exact spelling of the full name, the dates of birth and passing, the service location, and the time. You also want the order of service: who is speaking, what songs are included, and any readings or prayers. If multiple people are contributing, ask them to send their wording in one message so you can copy and paste without retyping. That helps reduce errors and saves time. Next, choose a format that matches your content. A bifold program is the most common layout: one sheet printed front and back, folded in half. It is familiar to guests and works well for most services. If you have a longer life tribute, multiple poems, lyrics, or many photos, a booklet format can be a better fit because it gives you more space and keeps text readable. Try to avoid shrinking the font just to make everything fit. If guests cannot read comfortably, the program becomes less helpful. Photos are often the most emotional part of the program. For the cover, choose a clear portrait that feels recognizable and warm. Inside, you can add a few smaller photos that show different seasons of life—family moments, milestones, hobbies, and everyday memories. When you crop photos, keep faces centered and avoid cutting off important features. If an image is slightly blurry, it may still work inside at a smaller size, but a sharper photo is usually best for the cover. As you fill in the text, keep it simple and sincere. A program does not need to say everything to be meaningful. Guests usually want three things: who the service is for, what is happening and in what order, and a short tribute that helps them remember the person. If you are writing a life tribute, focus on relationships, character, and the details that feel true to who they were. You do not need fancy language. You need honest words. One place where families commonly make mistakes is names and dates. This is normal, especially when the timeline is tight. Here is a practical step: read the entire program out loud, slowly, and then have one other person read it too. A second set of eyes catches small typos, missing initials, or an incorrect date that you may miss after staring at the page for hours. When you finish editing, save a print-ready PDF. PDFs preserve the layout so it prints the way it looks on your screen. Then print one proof copy before printing the full quantity. Fold it exactly how it will be handed out. Check the cover, check the inside panel order, and make sure nothing important is too close to the fold line. Look at the proof under normal indoor lighting, because that is how guests will see it. If you are printing at home, use the best paper you have available and print a few extras. If you are printing at a local shop, provide the PDF and ask for a proof copy before the full run. That quick proof prevents expensive mistakes. Finally, remember that your program can live beyond the service. Save the final file in a safe folder. You may want to print extra copies later for relatives who could not attend or keep a clean copy for a memory box. A program becomes part of the family record, and it can be comforting to revisit when you are ready. If you need more help, The Funeral Program Site offers program designs, printing guidance, and practical resources for families doing their best in a difficult moment. You do not have to make it perfect. You just have to make it clear, respectful, and true to the person you are honoring.

Helpful links

These links take you to key resources, including the main website, the funeral programs collection page, and Google Maps for directions and planning.

Design help and coordinated styles from The Funeral Program Site

DIY templates are most helpful when they feel easy to edit and still look polished when printed. The Funeral Program Site provides designs in a wide range of styles—traditional, floral, scenic, modern, and faith-based—so families can choose what best fits the tone of the service. The goal is not to be flashy. The goal is to be clear, comforting, and respectful, with a layout that supports the words and photos you are sharing.

If you feel unsure about your final layout, focus on three priorities: readable text, accurate details, and a cover photo that feels like your loved one. When those three things are right, your program will feel meaningful to guests. Once the program is printed, many families keep a few copies as keepsakes, and it becomes one of the most personal items from the day—something that can be held again when the family needs comfort.