Creating a Funeral Service Order of Service
Creating a Funeral Service Order of Service
An order of service is the small printed booklet or card you receive at a funeral. It’s designed to gently guide you through the ceremony, outlining what to expect—from readings and music to the eulogies.
But it’s so much more than just a schedule. It becomes a tangible keepsake, something to hold onto that honours the life of the person who has passed away. In many ways, it offers a sense of comfort and quiet structure during a very difficult time.
The Guiding Role of an Order of Service in a Funeral
When friends and family gather to say goodbye, a funeral service order of service provides a gentle framework. It allows everyone to follow along, understand the proceedings, and feel included, especially when it comes to joining in on hymns or prayers. This small document plays a really important part in creating a cohesive and dignified memorial.
Beyond its practical use on the day, the order of service often becomes a cherished memento. It’s something people can take home with them, a collection of memories, photos, and heartfelt words that capture the essence of a unique life. For many, it serves as a beautiful reminder long after the service has ended.
A Reflection of Modern Australian Funerals
The look and feel of an order of service often mirror how farewells are changing here in Australia. We’re seeing a growing shift towards personalisation, with families moving away from rigid traditions to create ceremonies that feel truly authentic to the person they’re honouring.
This means families are choosing elements that truly reflect their loved one's personality, whether it’s for a traditional burial or a cremation. For example, a practical example might be:
- A favourite poem chosen instead of a religious text. For instance, a family might choose "Do not stand at my grave and weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye for its comforting, non-religious message.
- A contemporary song played because it held special meaning.
- A candid, happy photo on the cover, rather than a formal portrait.
This move towards personalisation is also linked to wider trends. In Australia, cremation has become the more common choice for families, partly due to changing cultural attitudes but also because it can be a more affordable option. A 2021 report from the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) found that approximately two-thirds of Australians now opt for cremation.
A well-crafted order of service does more than just list events; it tells a story. It honours the past, provides comfort in the present, and becomes a treasured keepsake for the future.
Ultimately, this document is a key part of the memorialisation process. Crafting it is one of the many important decisions you'll make, and it’s something we’re here to help with. For more detailed guidance on all aspects of arranging a farewell, you might find our comprehensive guide on how to plan funerals a helpful resource.
Key Elements to Include in Your Program
Putting together a funeral order of service is less about ticking boxes and more about weaving together the memories that made a person who they were. Think of it as a gentle guide for the ceremony, not a rigid checklist. Each part, from the front cover to the final thank you, helps to tell their unique story and create a heartfelt tribute for everyone attending.
This image shows how all the core pieces can come together to create a complete and meaningful program.
As you can see, the program flows naturally from a personal introduction into the heart of the ceremony, before finishing with a note of gratitude. It’s designed to guide guests through the service with warmth and clarity.
The Front and Back Covers
The front cover is the first thing guests will see, so it should feel personal. It usually features a cherished photograph, their full name, and their dates of birth and death. You might also add the location and date of the service. For a practical example, a warm, candid photo of your loved one laughing on a family holiday can feel much more personal than a formal portrait.
The back cover is a lovely spot for a message of thanks to friends and family for their support. It’s also the perfect place for practical details. For instance: "The family invites you to join them for refreshments at The Local Pub, 123 High Street, following the service." You could also add a request for donations to a chosen charity instead of flowers, or a short, meaningful quote that they loved.
Structuring the Ceremony Flow
The inside pages outline the ceremony itself, giving attendees a clear path to follow. This is where you create the narrative of the service, blending the formal parts with personal touches that truly reflect their personality. There’s no single right way to do this; the goal is to create a flow that feels authentic.
For instance, an upbeat song they always hummed could be chosen for the entrance music to celebrate a vibrant spirit. Or, a passage from their favourite book could be included as a reading instead of a traditional scripture. The order of service helps everyone feel connected to these special moments.
A well-structured program provides comfort through clarity. It allows guests to be fully present, knowing what to expect, and frees them to focus on remembering and celebrating a life well-lived.
To help you organise these key components, we've put together a simple table that breaks it all down at a glance.
Standard Components of a Funeral Order of Service
This table outlines the typical sections you'll find in an order of service, explaining the purpose of each one and giving you some common ideas for what to include.
| Section | Purpose | Common Inclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Front Cover | To introduce the person being honoured and the service itself. | A favourite photo, their full name, dates of birth and death, and the service location and date. |
| Inside Pages | To guide guests through the different parts of the ceremony. | Entrance music, a welcome message, the eulogy, special readings, and any hymns or songs. |
| Back Cover | To express gratitude and share information about what's next. | A thank you message, details for the wake or reception, and information for charity donations. |
This structure provides a solid foundation, but remember it’s a starting point. As you plan, think about how each element can be personalised to feel just right.
Our compassionate team is here to help you explore different options, whether you're considering a simple farewell with our Direct Cremation package or a more detailed service. You can explore our four main cremation packages on our Services tab to see how we can support you in creating a fitting tribute.
Writing Tributes That Truly Honour a Life
While the structure of a funeral order of service provides a comforting framework, it’s the words inside that truly capture the spirit of the person you’re honouring. This is your chance to share the stories, music, and readings that felt like them—the things that reflected their unique personality and the life they lived.
Putting this all together can feel like a heavy responsibility, especially when you’re navigating grief. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to find the most profound poem ever written or compose a flawless eulogy. Often, the most touching tributes are the simplest and most authentic.
Choosing Meaningful Readings and Music
Music and readings are what set the emotional tone for the service. Instead of just defaulting to traditional hymns, take a moment to think about the songs your loved one actually enjoyed. Was there a particular artist they always played on a Sunday morning, or a song that never failed to make them laugh? Weaving that piece of music into the service can bring back powerful, personal memories for everyone present.
The same goes for readings. If religious texts don't feel right, look beyond them. A favourite poem, a passage from a beloved book, or even the lyrics from a meaningful song can be just as impactful. The key is to choose words that genuinely resonate with their character and values.
Here are a couple of practical examples:
- Instead of a sombre classical piece, you might choose "Here Comes the Sun" by The Beatles for someone who was an eternal optimist.
- For a person who cherished their mates above all else, reading a passage about friendship from Winnie-the-Pooh could be perfect.
The most beautiful tributes aren't about perfection; they're about connection. Focus on specific, cherished memories that paint a picture of who they were, not just what they did.
Crafting a Personal Eulogy
The eulogy is really the heart of the tribute. It’s the moment to share stories that bring their personality to life in the room. A simple but incredibly effective tip is to focus on specific, sensory details. For instance, instead of just saying, "She loved to cook," you could share something more vivid, like, "We’ll never forget the smell of her Sunday roast filling the entire house." That small shift makes the memory feel immediate and real.
Think about the little anecdotes that reveal their quirks, their sense of humour, or their quiet kindness. These small, personal stories are what people will hold onto long after the service ends. For more detailed support, our guide on writing a heartfelt eulogy offers further insights and practical examples to help you get started.
This whole process is often handled under immense time pressure. In fact, research shows 71% of Australians only make funeral arrangements after a loved one has passed, with just 17% planning in advance. This means funeral directors often play a key role in guiding families through these decisions. You can learn more from the 2021 Funeral Experiences Study in Australia.
Our team understands these pressures intimately. We’re here to help you weave these personal tributes into a beautiful service, whether you’re considering our Simplicity Cremation for a straightforward farewell or the more comprehensive Premium Cremation. Each of our four main cremation packages, found on the "Services" tab, is designed to give you support every step of the way.
Personalising the Design and Layout
The visual design of a funeral service order of service does more than just share information; it truly sets the tone for the farewell. Every choice, from the photographs to the colours and fonts, is a chance to create something that feels deeply personal and reflective of the person you’re honouring.
This is where you can move beyond a standard template and infuse their unique spirit into every detail. Think of it as painting a picture of their life through design—creating a beautiful memento that guests will want to keep long after the service has ended.
Choosing the Right Photographs
Photographs are often the heart of the design. While a classic, formal portrait is always a respectful choice, sometimes a candid shot better captures their true spirit.
Consider a photo of them laughing on a family holiday, tending to their garden, or lost in a beloved hobby. These images tell a story and can spark warmer, more personal memories for everyone attending.
Don’t feel limited to just one photo on the cover. A practical example could be creating a small collage on an inside page, showing different stages of their life: a baby photo, a wedding picture, and a recent one with their grandchildren. This visual timeline can be a touching way to celebrate their entire journey.
Reflecting Personality Through Fonts and Colours
The style of the text and the colours you choose can subtly say so much about your loved one’s personality. These small details really shape the overall feel of the order of service.
- For a quiet, gentle soul, you might choose a soft, elegant script like Times New Roman paired with a muted colour scheme of pale blues or soft greys.
- For someone with a bold, vibrant personality, a clean, modern font like Helvetica with a splash of a brighter colour—like their favourite sunflower yellow—could be a perfect fit.
The most effective designs are authentic. A simple sketch of a sailing boat for a keen sailor or a sprig of rosemary for an avid gardener can be a powerful and understated tribute that speaks volumes.
As you think about these personal touches, remember our services are designed to be flexible. Whether you're considering our Unattended Cremation for a simple farewell or our Traditional Cremation for a more formal service, we always ensure there is space for this level of personalisation. You can learn about all four of our main cremation packages on the "Services" tab.
For more ideas and inspiration, take a look at our dedicated page on funeral stationery.
Printing and Sharing the Final Program
Now that the design is settled and the right words have been chosen, it’s time to handle the final practical step: printing and sharing the order of service. This last stage is all about making sure the beautiful memento you’ve created reaches everyone who wants to remember and honour your loved one.
A small but meaningful touch is the paper you choose. A slightly thicker, quality cardstock (around 200-300 gsm) feels more substantial and lasting than standard printer paper. You could go for a smooth matte finish for a contemporary feel or a textured paper for a more traditional, classic touch. It’s these little details that make a difference.
How Many Copies Should You Print?
Working out how many copies to print can feel like a bit of a guessing game. A good rule of thumb is to aim for about 75% of your expected attendance. Not every single person or couple will take a copy, but it’s always far better to have a few spares than to run out. So, if you’re expecting 100 guests, printing around 75 copies is a safe and practical number.
Before you send anything off to the printer, it's absolutely vital to give it one last proofread. It’s incredibly easy to miss a small typo when you’re already navigating grief.
A Quick Proofreading Checklist
- Names: Double-check the spelling of every single name mentioned.
- Dates: Verify the birth date, death date, and the date of the service are all correct.
- Times & Locations: Confirm the start time and the full address for the venue and the wake.
- Read it Aloud: Reading the text out loud is a great trick. It helps you catch any awkward phrasing or errors your eyes might have skimmed over.
Sharing a Digital Copy for Those Far Away
In recent years, sharing a digital version of the order of service has become much more common. It’s a thoughtful gesture for family and friends who are overseas or simply unable to attend the service in person. A simple PDF is perfect for this—it can be easily attached to an email or shared through a messaging app.
The COVID-19 pandemic really changed how we approach funerals in Australia. Strict limits on attendance—sometimes as few as 10 people—led to a huge increase in online streaming. This experience taught us all the importance of digital inclusion, a practice that has thankfully continued. You can read more about how the pandemic impacted Australian funeral services in the 2023 Cost of Death Report.
We know that navigating these final details can add another layer of stress during an already difficult time. That’s why our four main cremation packages, which you can find on our Services tab, are designed to handle these logistics for you. From design support to professional printing, we’re here to ensure the process is as seamless and worry-free as possible.
Common Questions About an Order of Service
Putting together a funeral order of service for the first time often brings up a lot of questions. This task usually comes at an already difficult moment, so getting a handle on the practical details can bring a welcome sense of clarity and control. We hear these questions all the time from families, so we've answered them here.
Our goal is to give you clear, compassionate information to help you feel more confident as you create this meaningful keepsake.
How Many Pages Should It Be?
There’s no strict rule here, but most orders of service end up being between 4 and 12 pages long. A simple 4-page A5 booklet is a very common choice and gives you enough space for all the essentials. This usually means a front cover, the service details inside, and a thank you message on the back.
Of course, you might want more pages. For a practical example, a family might opt for an 8-page booklet to include extra family photos, the full lyrics to a special song, or longer readings from grandchildren. The key is simply to choose a length that feels right for the service you're planning and the story you want to tell.
What Is Essential for the Front Cover?
Think of the front cover as a simple, respectful tribute. The most important things to include are a good quality photograph of your loved one, their full name, and their dates of birth and death. It's also really helpful to add the date, time, and location of the service so everything is clear for guests.
Many families also like to add a short, heartfelt title. Something simple like 'In Loving Memory of Jane Smith' or 'A Celebration of the Life of John Doe' sets a warm and personal tone from the very start.
An order of service is more than just a schedule; it’s a tangible piece of comfort. Answering these small practical questions can free up emotional space, allowing you to focus on honouring your loved one in the most fitting way.
Who Should We Thank in the Acknowledgement?
The thank you message, which usually goes on the back cover, is a space to express gratitude. It’s customary to thank friends and family for their support, kindness, and for being there with you during such a difficult time.
You might also want to specifically acknowledge the celebrant, the funeral director, or any medical staff who provided care. For example, a message could read: "The family wishes to express their sincere thanks for your love and support. Special thanks to the caring staff at St. Vincent's Hospital." This is also the perfect spot to mention details for charitable donations if you’ve chosen this in lieu of flowers.
How Quickly Do We Need to Prepare It?
Funeral arrangements often happen on a tight timeline, so it’s a good idea to start gathering photos and thinking about readings as soon as you can. Once the main details of the service are confirmed with your funeral director, you can then finalise all the content.
Try to send the final design to your printer at least 2-3 days before the service. This gives them enough time for printing and delivery, and it also gives you a small buffer to have someone proofread it one last time to catch any little errors.
At Funera, we understand that managing all these details can feel overwhelming. Our compassionate team can guide you through every step, from designing the funeral service order of service to arranging the printing. Our four main cremation packages, found on the "Services" tab, are designed to provide comprehensive support, ensuring a dignified and seamless farewell.