When someone you love dies, an order of service is one of the most tangible things you can create in their memory. It guides everyone through the ceremony, gives people something to hold and follow, and often becomes a keepsake that families keep for years. If you’ve never put one together before, it can feel like an overwhelming task at an already overwhelming time.
This guide covers everything you need: what an order of service is, what to include, how to structure it, how many copies to order, what it costs, and when a digital version makes sense. You don’t need design skills or a big budget — a simple, well-thought-through booklet is exactly right.
What is an order of service?
An order of service is a printed booklet — usually A5 — handed to guests as they arrive at a funeral or memorial service. It sets out the running order of the ceremony: the music, readings, hymns, tributes, and prayers in the order they’ll happen.
It serves two purposes. Practically, it helps guests follow along — knowing when to stand, when to sing, and how the service is structured. Personally, it often becomes a lasting memento of the person who died: something to keep, revisit, and share with family members who couldn’t be there.
Orders of service are used at all types of funeral — church services, crematorium services, humanist ceremonies, celebration-of-life events. There’s no official format. The content and tone should reflect the person who died and the wishes of the family.
Do you need an order of service?
No — an order of service is not compulsory, and some families choose not to have one. A short informal service, a graveside committal, or a very small gathering may not need one at all.
But for most funerals, particularly those with more than 20 or 30 guests, or where hymns, readings, and tributes are involved, an order of service is genuinely helpful. It keeps the ceremony running smoothly, helps guests participate, and means the celebrant or minister doesn’t have to explain every transition out loud.
If you’re unsure, ask your funeral director. They arrange dozens of services a year and can advise on whether it suits the service you’re planning.
What goes on the front of an order of service?
The front cover is the first thing guests see, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. Most front covers include:
- A photograph of the person who died — ideally one that captures them well, scanned at high resolution (300 dpi minimum for print quality)
- Their full name — including any nickname they were commonly known by
- Their dates — born and died, in the format 12 April 1942 – 3 February 2026
- The date and location of the funeral service
- A short line — a favourite quote, a line from a poem or hymn, or simply “In loving memory”
The back cover typically includes a thank-you message to guests for attending, details of any charity the family would like donations directed to, and — if applicable — the time and location of the wake.
What to include inside
The inside of an order of service follows the ceremony itself. Exactly what you include depends on the type of service, but most follow a similar structure.
| Section | What it contains | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry music | Song title and artist (or hymn name) | Played as the coffin enters and guests are seated |
| Welcome | Opening words from the officiant | Usually brief — 1-2 minutes |
| Opening hymn or song | Title; full lyrics if guests are expected to sing | Include verse numbers if using a hymn book |
| Reading(s) | Title, source, and name of the reader | You can include the full text or just the reference |
| Eulogy / tribute | Name of the speaker(s) | Usually not printed in full — just the speaker's name |
| Second hymn or reflection music | Title and lyrics (if congregational) | Some services include a period of silence or reflection here |
| Committal | Words of committal if printed; otherwise just "Committal" | Church services may include specific liturgy here |
| Closing music | Song title and artist | Played as the coffin leaves or as guests file out |
| Wake details | Venue, address, time | Often placed on the back cover instead |
If someone is giving a eulogy, you typically list only the speaker’s name in the order of service — the speech itself is not printed. If you’ve been asked to write one, our guide to writing a eulogy covers structure, length, and how to handle emotion on the day.
For readings, you can list just the title and reader, or include the full text if it is short and in the public domain. Our guide to funeral poems and readings covers the most popular public domain poems and includes copyright guidance for those still protected.
For church services, you may also want to include any liturgical responses (phrases the congregation says together), prayers, and the Committal text if it isn’t in a shared hymn book.
For humanist or non-religious services, there’s no fixed structure — the order of service can be shaped entirely around the person who died. Poems, personal memories, a period of music, multiple tributes: all are appropriate.
Including hymn and song lyrics
If you’re expecting guests to sing along, include the full lyrics. Guests shouldn’t have to juggle a hymn book and an order of service — put everything in one place.
For copyright reasons, you’re legally permitted to reproduce hymn lyrics in a printed order of service for a private religious service. For other song lyrics, technically a licence is required — though in practice, for a one-off private funeral service, this is rarely enforced. Your funeral director or officiant can advise.
Common hymns at UK funerals that are fully in the public domain and can be reproduced freely:
- Abide with me (words 1847, tune 1861)
- The Lord’s my shepherd to Crimond (words from Scottish Psalter 1650, tune 1872)
- Amazing grace (1779)
- Jerusalem (Blake words 1804; Parry tune 1916, entered public domain 1968)
Some widely used hymns are still in copyright. How great thou art uses Stuart K. Hine’s 1949 English translation, which is protected until 2059. Morning has broken uses words by Eleanor Farjeon (1931), protected until approximately 2035. These can still be sung freely at a private funeral service, but printing the lyrics requires a CCLI licence or venue that holds one. See our guide to funeral hymns for the full picture.
If you’re including modern lyrics, a brief excerpt (one verse) is generally safe practice.
How long should an order of service be?
Most funeral orders of service are four pages — an A4 sheet folded in half to make an A5 booklet. That gives you:
- Page 1: Front cover
- Pages 2–3: Running order and any hymn lyrics
- Page 4: Back cover (thank-you, donation info, wake details)
For longer services — those with multiple readings, several hymns, or a more complex ceremony — an eight-page booklet is common. Some families produce twelve or even sixteen pages when they want to include more photographs, a biography, or particularly meaningful poems.
If in doubt, aim for four pages and trim your content to fit. A focused, well-designed four-pager is more impactful than a sprawling twelve-page booklet that guests struggle to read.
How to write and design one
You don’t need design software. Most orders of service are created in Microsoft Word, Google Docs, or Canva. Your funeral director may also offer a design service, or you can use a specialist printing company that provides templates (see below).
Step by step:
- Confirm the running order with your officiant or celebrant — this is the backbone of the document. Don’t finalise the order of service until you know exactly what’s happening and in what order.
- Gather the content — photos, hymn lyrics, reading texts, speaker names, wake details, charity information.
- Set up an A5 document in your software of choice, or use an A4 sheet in landscape orientation divided into two A5 columns (for print).
- Write the front cover — name, dates, photo, and optional quote.
- List the running order — keep each section brief. Use clear headings and consistent formatting.
- Include full lyrics for any congregational hymns or songs.
- Proof it carefully — check spellings of names, check dates, and have at least one other person read it before it goes to print.
- Allow time — professional printers typically need two to three working days from final artwork approval. Factor this in, especially if you’re ordering for a midweek funeral.
How many copies to order?
Order approximately 10–15% more than the number of people you expect to attend. If you’re expecting 80 guests, order 90–95. There are always a few extra attendees you didn’t anticipate, and spare copies are useful for family members who weren’t present.
Most specialist printers work in quantities of 10 or 20 and the unit cost drops quickly as volume increases. It rarely costs much more to order 80 than 60, so err on the generous side.
Who hands them out? Usually a funeral director’s staff member, or a friend or family member stationed at the entrance. The funeral director will typically coordinate this — let them know when you’re expecting copies to arrive.
How much does an order of service cost?
Costs vary depending on the number of pages, quantity, paper quality, and whether you use a local printer or a specialist online service.
| Quantity | Typical price range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 20 copies (4-page) | £30–£55 | Basic online specialist |
| 50 copies (4-page) | £60–£90 | Most common order size |
| 100 copies (4-page) | £90–£140 | Price per copy drops significantly |
| 50 copies (8-page) | £90–£130 | For longer services |
Prices are indicative based on UK specialist printing services, March 2026. Actual prices vary by supplier and specification.
Funeral director supply: Many funeral directors include an order of service in their package, or offer one as an add-on. The cost is typically absorbed into the overall funeral account, so check what’s included in your quote.
DIY printing: It’s entirely possible to print your own using a home printer and good quality paper, or a local print shop. This can reduce the cost to £10–£20 for the paper and ink, though quality will depend on your equipment.
Specialist online printers — such as Funeral Orders of Service, Funeral Stationery 4U, and Order of Service — typically offer next-day or two-day delivery and include design support. Many also include a digital version at no extra cost.
Digital alternatives
More families now share a digital version alongside printed copies — or instead of them for guests who couldn’t attend in person.
Options include:
- PDF shared via email or WhatsApp — simple and free. Create the document as you normally would and export to PDF.
- Digital flipbook — several specialist printers provide this automatically when you order printed copies. It looks like a real booklet on screen and can be shared via link.
- QR code on the printed version — linking to a memorial page, charity donation page, or video of the service. Print the QR code on the back cover.
- Memorial website — services like Much Loved or Ever Loved allow families to share the order of service, photos, and tributes in one place.
A purely digital order of service — no printed copies at all — is occasionally used for very small services or eco-conscious families. It works well if all guests are comfortable on their phones, but bear in mind that older guests, or anyone in emotional distress, may struggle to follow along on a small screen.
What to avoid
- Finalising before confirming the running order. Always confirm with the officiant or celebrant first. Last-minute changes to a printed order of service are stressful and expensive.
- Low-resolution photos. A blurry or pixelated image on the front cover is a common and avoidable mistake. Ask for the original digital file, not a screenshot from social media.
- Spelling errors in names. Double-check every name — speakers, readers, and the person who died. Have someone else proof it too.
- Ordering too few. Running out of printed copies at the door is distressing for families. The cost of printing extra is small; the awkwardness of not having enough is not.
- Leaving it too late. Most specialist printers need two to three working days. Order as soon as the running order is confirmed — typically three to five days before the funeral.
- Overcomplicating it. A simple, clear four-page booklet done well is better than an elaborate production full of errors. Focus on accuracy and warmth, not design.
Key takeaways
- An order of service is an A5 booklet — usually four pages — that guides guests through a funeral ceremony.
- It typically includes entry music, welcome, hymns or songs (with lyrics), readings, tributes, committal, and closing music.
- Order 10–15% more copies than your expected attendance; 50–100 is typical for most services.
- Professional printing costs £60–£140 for 50–100 copies. Many funeral directors include it in their package.
- Allow two to three working days for professional printing — don’t leave it until the last minute.
- Digital versions via PDF or flipbook are a thoughtful way to include guests who can’t attend.
An order of service is one of the few things from a funeral that people keep. Taking a little time to get it right — the right photo, the right words, the right running order — means guests leave with something that truly reflects the person they came to honour.
Part of our funeral planning guide. If you’re helping to plan other parts of the service, see our guides on how to write a eulogy, choosing funeral poems and readings, funeral flowers and arrangements, and what to wear to a funeral.