Funeral Program Examples
Seeing a finished funeral program is one of the fastest ways to understand what yours should look like. This page walks through several example styles, showing what content goes on each panel and how different design choices change the feel of the program.
Every example below uses the standard bifold format: a single sheet of 8.5 × 11 paper folded in half, creating four panels. This is the most common funeral program format and the one used by all of our printable templates.
The Four Panels of a Bifold Funeral Program
Before looking at specific examples, it helps to understand how a bifold program is structured. When you unfold the finished program, you see four panels. Each template arranges content differently across these panels, but here is a common starting point.
Front Cover
- Heading line (e.g., In Loving Memory of)
- Full name of the deceased
- Birth and passing dates
- Main photograph
- Service date, time, and location (optional)
Inside Left Panel
- Obituary or life tribute
- Additional photograph (optional)
- List of survivors (often part of the obituary)
Inside Right Panel
- Order of service
- Names of speakers and readers
- Song or hymn titles
Back Cover
- Acknowledgment or thank-you message
- Poem, scripture, or personal passage
- Pallbearer names (optional)
- Repast or reception details (optional)
Not every template follows this exact arrangement. Some place the order of service on the inside left and the obituary on the back, while others dedicate the inside panels entirely to photographs. The examples below show how each template handles this differently. For a deeper explanation of each panel, see our step-by-step guide.
Classic Funeral Program Example
The classic style is the most widely chosen format. It uses a clean, neutral design with serif typography that suits any type of service. This is a safe choice when the service includes guests from different backgrounds or when you want something dignified and understated.
Front Cover
"In Loving Memory of" heading, full name, portrait photograph, and dates. Serif typography on a clean, light background.
Inside Left
Order of service with a bold heading and the full ceremony sequence listed below it. Each element is centered for easy scanning during the service.
Inside Right
A 2×2 photo grid displaying four photographs. This panel is dedicated entirely to images, creating a visual tribute alongside the service order.
Back Cover
An obituary photo followed by the full obituary text. The back panel tells the person's story in two to four paragraphs, with the photo providing context above.
Best for: Traditional funerals, church services, military honors, and any service where a neutral, formal tone is appropriate.
View the Classic Memorial templateWe also offer a Classic Black variation with a dark charcoal background and silver accents for a more formal presentation.
Floral Funeral Program Example
Floral designs use botanical illustrations to frame each page, adding warmth and beauty without competing with the content. The result feels softer and more personal than a plain layout while remaining appropriate for any type of service.
Front Cover
Portrait photograph centered above the "In Loving Memory" heading, name, and dates. A soft floral background at reduced opacity frames the content without competing with it.
Inside Left
Order of service with the same floral border continuing across the interior. The service list is rendered in a clean sans-serif font for easy reading during the ceremony.
Inside Right
Obituary portrait followed by the obituary text. The floral border carries through from the left panel, creating a consistent look when the program is open.
Back Cover
A closing verse or poem displayed in italic text on the floral background. This panel is purely text, giving the words room to stand on their own.
Best for: Services for someone who loved gardens or nature, or any family that wants a soft, graceful presentation.
View the Elegant Floral templateFor a similar feel with more green tones, see our Budding Garden template.
Christian Funeral Program Example
A faith-specific design is a meaningful choice when the service is centered around religious traditions. This example uses devotional imagery and a violet and gold palette that reflects the reverence of a Christian memorial.
Front Cover
A large portrait overlaid on a cross-patterned border background. The name and year range appear in light text at the bottom. The design is image-forward, letting the photograph dominate the cover.
Inside Left
The "Funeral Mass" heading appears in gold lettering over a darkened devotional background (Jesus in the clouds). Below it, the officiant and cantor names are listed, followed by the full mass sequence: entrance hymn, readings, responsorial psalm, gospel, homily, prayers of the faithful, offertory, Eucharistic prayer and communion, final commendation, and recessional.
Inside Right
A three-photo collage on a dove-bordered background. The photos are overlapping and slightly rotated, giving the panel a scrapbook feel. This panel is entirely visual, with no text.
Back Cover
A single portrait framed by a devotional icon border. Like the front, this panel is image-only, creating a symmetrical bookend to the program.
Best for: Catholic funeral masses, and Christian services where devotional imagery and a liturgical mass sequence are central to the program.
View the Christian Devotional templateNature-Themed Funeral Program Example
Nature-themed designs use landscape imagery to create a peaceful, contemplative atmosphere. These are popular choices for outdoor services, for honoring someone who loved the outdoors, or for families who want the program to feel calm and hopeful rather than somber.
Front Cover
A large circular portrait on a mountain landscape background. The "Homeward Bound" heading, "In Loving Memory" subtitle, name, and dates appear in white text below the photo, with a soft shadow for readability against the landscape.
Inside Left
Two stacked framed photographs on the mountain background. Each photo is displayed in a white-bordered frame, giving this panel a gallery feel. No text appears on this panel.
Inside Right
A framed obituary photograph at the top, followed by the full obituary text. The mountain landscape continues behind a darkened overlay so the white text remains legible.
Back Cover
A large framed portrait with a "Celebrating the Life" heading beneath it. The mountain backdrop continues, creating a sense of continuity across all four panels.
Best for: Outdoor services, celebrations of life, honoring someone who loved nature, or any family that wants a calm and hopeful tone.
View the Homeward Bound templateWe offer three nature-themed designs: Homeward Bound (mountains), Forest Inspirations (woodland), and Sunset Beach (coastal sunset).
Photo-Rich Funeral Program Example
Some families want the program to be primarily a visual tribute. Photo-rich templates give images more space and prominence, making the photographs the centerpiece of the design. This style works best when you have several clear, high-quality images to include.
Front Cover
"In Loving Memory of" heading above a large circular portrait photo on a warm tan gradient background. The name and dates appear above and below the photo in serif type.
Inside Left
A "Life Well Lived" photo gallery on a dark brown background. One large featured photo at the top with two smaller photos side by side below it, all in cream-bordered frames. This panel is entirely visual.
Inside Right
A "Cherished Memories" 2×2 photo grid on a warm tan background. Four photos in dark-bordered frames fill the panel. Like the inside left, this panel is dedicated to images.
Back Cover
A split layout: the left half is a full-height photograph, and the right half contains the obituary under an "A Life Remembered" heading, followed by a closing quote in italic. This is the only panel with text in this template.
Best for: Families with many meaningful photographs to share. This template requires at least 8 photos and does not include an order of service panel, so it is best for families who want a visual keepsake rather than a ceremony guide.
View the Classic Tan templateHow to Choose the Right Style
There is no wrong choice. The design sets the visual tone, but the content is what makes the program meaningful. Here are a few guidelines if you are unsure.
Start with the tone of the service
A formal, traditional funeral often pairs well with a classic or dark-toned design. A celebration of life suits warmer colors, nature themes, or modern layouts. A religious service may benefit from a faith-specific template with devotional imagery.
Think about the person being honored
Did they love the outdoors? A nature theme might feel right. Were they known for their warmth and personality? A colorful or modern design could reflect that. When in doubt, a classic layout is always appropriate.
Consider how many photos you have
If you have several strong photographs, a photo-rich template lets you showcase them. If you have one or two images, a classic or floral design is built around fewer photos and still looks beautiful.
Do not overthink it
Guests will remember the words and the photographs far more than the background color or font choice. Choose something that feels right and focus your energy on the content.
See All Templates
Browse our full collection of printable funeral program templates. Editing is free, and you only pay when you are ready to download the final PDF.
Browse Funeral Program TemplatesRelated Guides
How to Make a Funeral Program
Step-by-step instructions for building a complete bifold program, from choosing a template to printing.
Funeral Program Wording Examples
Ready-to-use text for cover lines, obituary sections, acknowledgments, and closing passages.
Order of Service Template
Copy-ready ceremony sequences for standard funerals, religious services, and celebrations of life.
Funeral Brochure vs Funeral Program
Understand the difference between funeral programs, brochures, and bulletins.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a funeral program look like?
A standard funeral program is a single sheet of 8.5 by 11 inch paper folded in half to create a four-panel bifold booklet. The front cover features a photograph, the person's name, and their dates. The inside panels hold the obituary and order of service. The back cover typically includes an acknowledgment, poem, or scripture.
What is the difference between a bifold and trifold funeral program?
A bifold program folds once down the center, creating four panels. A trifold folds twice, creating six panels. Bifold is the most common format for funeral programs because it prints easily on standard letter paper and provides enough space for all essential content without feeling overcrowded.
Can I use these examples for a celebration of life?
Yes. The panel layout is the same for any type of memorial service. For a celebration of life, you would typically adjust the heading line (for example, Celebrating the Life of instead of In Loving Memory of), use a warmer or more personal tone in the obituary, and choose readings that reflect the person's personality.
How do I decide which style of funeral program to use?
Consider the tone of the service and the personality of the person being honored. A traditional funeral often suits a classic or dark-toned design. A celebration of life might call for warmer colors or nature imagery. A religious service may benefit from a faith-specific template. There is no wrong choice, and the content matters more than the design.
What content goes on each panel of a funeral program?
The front cover holds the photograph, name, dates, and service heading. The inside left panel is typically the obituary or life tribute. The inside right panel holds the order of service. The back cover includes an acknowledgment, poem, scripture, or repast details. This is the most common arrangement, but families can adjust it to suit their needs.
How many photos should I include in a funeral program?
Most programs include at least one photograph on the front cover. Some templates also provide space for additional photos on the inside or back panels. The right number depends on the template you choose and how many quality images you have available. One strong, clear photo is better than several low-resolution ones.
Can I see what a template looks like before I start editing?
Yes. Each template in our collection includes a preview image showing the design with sample content. You can browse all available templates and see exactly what each one looks like before you begin editing.
What if I want a style that is not shown in these examples?
These examples cover the most common styles, but our full template collection includes additional designs such as nature landscapes, teal modern layouts, and botanical garden themes. Browse the full collection to see every option available.