Funeral Program Wording Examples

Writing the words for a funeral program can feel overwhelming, especially under time pressure. This guide provides ready-to-use wording for every section of a bifold funeral program. Each example is written so you can copy it directly and replace the personal details with your own.

Multiple variations are included for each section so you can choose the tone that feels right, whether the service is traditional, religious, or a more personal celebration of life. When you are ready, pair any of this wording with a template from our funeral program template collection.

Front Cover Wording

The front cover is the first thing guests see. Keep it simple and clear. Most front covers include a heading line, the person's name, and their dates. Below are several heading lines you can choose from, followed by complete front cover examples.

Heading Line Options

In Loving Memory of

Celebrating the Life of

A Celebration of Life for

In Remembrance of

A Service of Remembrance for

Honoring the Life of

A Tribute to the Life of

Homegoing Celebration for

Traditional

In Loving Memory of Margaret Ann Williams March 12, 1948 – January 5, 2026 Funeral Service Saturday, January 11, 2026 at 10:00 AM Grace Community Church

Celebration of Life

Celebrating the Life of James Robert Carter June 24, 1955 – December 30, 2025 “What we have once enjoyed deeply we can never lose.”

Homegoing (African American tradition)

Homegoing Celebration for Dorothy Mae Johnson Sunrise: April 3, 1940 Sunset: February 8, 2026 Saturday, February 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM New Hope Baptist Church

Obituary Wording

The obituary is usually the longest piece of text in the program. It fills the inside left panel and tells the story of the person's life. Two to four paragraphs is a comfortable length for a bifold layout. If you already have a newspaper obituary written, a slightly shortened version often fits well. Below are complete examples you can adapt.

Traditional obituary

Margaret Ann Williams was born on March 12, 1948, in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Henry and Ruth Davis. She graduated from Armstrong High School in 1966 and earned a degree in nursing from Virginia Commonwealth University. Margaret dedicated over thirty years to caring for others as a registered nurse at Memorial Regional Hospital. She was a devoted member of Grace Community Church, where she sang in the choir and volunteered with the youth ministry. Her warmth, quiet strength, and generous spirit touched everyone who knew her. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Robert Williams; her children, Angela Williams-Thomas (Kenneth) and David Williams (Maria); her five grandchildren; and her sister, Patricia Davis-Monroe. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother, Henry Davis Jr. Margaret's kindness, faith, and devotion to her family will be remembered and cherished by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

Shorter personal tribute

James Robert Carter was born on June 24, 1955, in Portland, Oregon. He spent his career as a high school history teacher, inspiring two generations of students with his passion for storytelling and his belief that every person's story matters. Outside the classroom, James was happiest outdoors. He hiked nearly every trail in the Pacific Northwest, coached youth baseball for fifteen years, and never missed a chance to take his grandchildren fishing. He was known for his dry humor, his patience, and his ability to make anyone feel welcome. James is survived by his wife, Linda; his sons, Michael and Thomas; his daughter, Sarah; and his seven grandchildren.

Celebration of life tone

Dorothy Mae Johnson lived a life full of laughter, music, and unwavering love for her family. Born on April 3, 1940, in Montgomery, Alabama, she moved north with her family as a young girl and made her home in Chicago, where she would spend the rest of her remarkable life. Dorothy worked for thirty-five years at the United States Postal Service and was proud of every day she spent there. Her true calling, though, was her family. She raised four children, helped raise eleven grandchildren, and was the center of every holiday gathering, every Sunday dinner, and every family celebration for more than sixty years. Those who knew Dorothy will remember her infectious laugh, her sweet potato pie, and her way of making every person in the room feel like the most important one there.

These are starting points. Change the details, adjust the length, and write in whatever voice feels most true to your loved one. There is no single correct way to write an obituary for a funeral program.

Order of Service Wording

The order of service lists the ceremony sequence on the inside right panel. Below are two examples showing how the wording typically appears in print. Adjust the items to match your actual service. For more variations, including Catholic and military formats, see our order of service template guide.

General service

Order of Service Musical Prelude Processional Welcome and Opening Remarks ....... Pastor Michael Torres Opening Prayer Scripture Reading: Psalm 23 ....... Angela Williams-Thomas Musical Selection: “Amazing Grace” Reading of the Obituary ....... David Williams Reflections from Family and Friends Musical Selection: “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” Words of Comfort ....... Pastor Michael Torres Closing Prayer and Benediction Recessional

Secular celebration of life

Celebration of Life Welcome ....... Sarah Carter Opening Words and Remembrance Photo Slideshow Readings “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost ....... Michael Carter “Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep” ....... Linda Carter Reflections from Family and Friends Musical Tribute: “What a Wonderful World” Closing Words ....... Thomas Carter Moment of Silence

Acknowledgment and Thank-You Wording

Some families include a brief acknowledgment on the back panel as a message of thanks to those in attendance. It is usually two to four sentences. If you would like to include one, here are several variations.

Simple and heartfelt

The family of Margaret Ann Williams wishes to express sincere gratitude to each of you for your prayers, your kindness, and your presence here today. Your love and support have been a source of great comfort during this difficult time.

With specific thanks

The family of James Robert Carter extends heartfelt thanks to Dr. Sarah Mitchell and the staff of Willamette Valley Hospice for their compassionate care during James's final months. We are also deeply grateful to the friends, neighbors, and colleagues who have surrounded us with love and support. Your generosity and kindness will not be forgotten.

Brief and warm

Thank you for being here today to celebrate the life of Dorothy Mae Johnson. Your presence means more to this family than words can express. We are grateful for every prayer, every visit, every meal, and every act of kindness you have shown us.

With repast invitation

The family of Margaret Ann Williams thanks you for your love and presence today. Please join us for a reception immediately following the service in the church fellowship hall.

Poems, Verses, and Closing Passages

Many families include a meaningful poem, scripture, or personal passage on the back cover or inside panel. These are some of the most commonly chosen selections for funeral programs.

Psalm 23 (King James Version)

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

"Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep" by Mary Elizabeth Frye

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there; I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain. When you awaken in the morning's hush I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there; I did not die.

"Gone From My Sight" by Henry Van Dyke (excerpt)

I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until at length she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other. Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!” Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all.

Personal closing quote

“If love could have saved you, you would have lived forever.”

You are not limited to well-known poems. A favorite song lyric, a line from a book they loved, or something written by a family member can be just as meaningful.

Pallbearer Listing Wording

If you choose to list pallbearers, the back panel is the most common location. Here are two formatting options.

Active and honorary pallbearers

Pallbearers Kenneth Thomas David Williams Marcus Johnson Brian Monroe Steven Davis Anthony Hall Honorary Pallbearers The Deacons of Grace Community Church

Flower bearers

Flower Bearers The Granddaughters of Margaret Ann Williams

Putting It All Together

A complete bifold funeral program places each piece of wording on a specific panel. Here is how the sections above map to the four panels of a printed program.

Front Cover

Heading line
Full name
Birth and passing dates
Service details (optional)
Photograph

Inside Left

Obituary or life tribute
Additional photograph (optional)

Inside Right

Order of service
Names of speakers and readers

Back Cover

Acknowledgment message
Poem, scripture, or closing passage
Pallbearer names (optional)
Repast or reception details (optional)

This is the most common arrangement, but every program is different. For a visual breakdown of the bifold layout, see our step-by-step guide to making a funeral program.

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Related Guides

How to Make a Funeral Program

Step-by-step instructions for building a complete bifold program, from choosing a template to printing.

Order of Service Template

Copy-ready ceremony sequences for standard funerals, religious services, and celebrations of life.

Funeral Program Examples

See how real bifold layouts look with different styles and content arrangements.

Funeral Brochure vs Funeral Program

Understand the difference between funeral programs, brochures, and bulletins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What wording should go on the front of a funeral program?

The front cover typically includes a heading line (such as In Loving Memory of or Celebrating the Life of), the person's full name, their dates of birth and passing, and, optionally, the service date, time, and location. Some families also include a short scripture verse or quote beneath the name.

How long should the obituary be in a funeral program?

For a bifold program, two to four short paragraphs is a comfortable length. This gives you enough space to share the person's background, family, and what made them special without overcrowding the panel. If you have a longer obituary written for a newspaper, a shortened version often works best for the printed program.

Can I use the same wording for a memorial program and a funeral program?

Yes. The structure and wording are the same. The only common difference is the heading line on the front cover. Families holding a memorial service sometimes use A Celebration of Life or A Service of Remembrance instead of In Loving Memory, but the interior wording follows the same pattern.

What is a good closing message for a funeral program?

A brief thank-you from the family is the most common closing. Many families also include a short poem, a scripture verse, or a personal quote from the deceased. The back panel is a natural place for this because it is the last thing guests read and often the part they return to later.

Should I write the obituary in first person or third person?

Third person is the traditional choice and the most common in funeral programs. However, some families choose to write a first-person tribute as though the deceased is speaking, or write in second person as a direct address to the person who has passed. Any approach is appropriate as long as it feels genuine to your family.

How do I list survivors in a funeral program obituary?

Begin with the closest family members (spouse or partner, children) and work outward (grandchildren, siblings, extended family). You can list individuals by name or summarize larger groups. For example: survived by his wife, Maria; his children, David, Ana, and James; and six grandchildren.

What is the difference between an obituary and a eulogy?

An obituary is a written summary of a person's life, typically printed in the funeral program and published in a newspaper. A eulogy is a speech delivered during the service by a family member, friend, or clergy. The obituary appears in the program as text; the eulogy is listed in the order of service as a spoken element.

Can I include wording in a language other than English?

Yes. Many families include bilingual text, a verse in a heritage language, or a traditional blessing from their culture. Our templates support any language that uses standard characters, and you can mix languages within the same program.