How Funeral Programs Celebrate a Life’s Journey

A funeral program is a meaningful keepsake that shares wisdom, photos, and memories of a special person. Funeral homes often compile and print these, but families can do them on their own.

Funeral programs typically contain the obituary, order of service details, loving tributes from family and friends, and memorial poems. The cover of the program usually features a photo.

Theme

Whether your loved one’s body is being interred or cremated, memorial or celebration services can be designed to embody their unique personality and accomplishments. From the use of color to the inclusion of special music, there are many ways we can help you honor your connection to this person while also ensuring that their story is told.

If you’re interested in a more modern approach to memorialization, consider a Celebration of Life service. Unlike traditional funerals, which follow a set order of events, these ceremonies offer more flexibility and include plenty of personal touches.

We encourage families to bring in photos, memorabilia, and other items to help create a personalized event that honors your loved one. Themes can be as simple or complex as you would like, and we’re happy to discuss your ideas with you.

A popular option is to create a memory board for guests to visit and sign. You may display this at the reception or give each guest a keepsake version to take home with them. You can also incorporate a favorite hobby or activity into the ceremony by asking guests to participate. For example, we often see people lining up to have their hands stamped with a meaningful design or writing their thoughts on special note cards that will be handed out during the service.

You may choose to highlight your loved one’s achievements by including a list of their accomplishments in the service program or on displays throughout the facility. In addition, you can share stories about them that show their passions and their character. This is an important part of the healing process and can really help others connect with your loved ones during this time.

When you’re preparing to speak at a service, be sure to practice your delivery and pay attention to body language. It’s important to make eye contact with the audience and pause occasionally to allow them to reflect on your words.

We can also play a meaningful song at the ceremony, or you can ask guests to contribute songs that were significant in your loved one’s life and compile a playlist for the day of the event. Lastly, lantern releases have become quite popular and are an uplifting way to conclude the ceremony.

Music

There are many ways to personalize funeral services, including the music that is played. Many people choose songs that are meaningful to the person who died, and this can be a great way to honor them.

The type of music chosen can also help set the tone for the service, with popular tunes being more likely to be uplifting, while classical pieces may evoke feelings of reverence. Some people also like to include the theme song of their loved one’s favorite movie, TV show, or sports team in order to make the day feel more special and intimate.

For religious funerals, music can be particularly moving and is an important part of the service. Traditional songs such as “Amazing Grace” are often included, but there is no limit to what kind of song can be played. People may also choose to incorporate hymns, religious readings, or a recitation of a favorite poem or prayer.

Some people prefer to have a live performance at their loved one’s funeral, and this is an option that can be beautifully brought to life with a well-chosen musical selection. For example, a choir can add a spirited richness to the service and bring a sense of solemnity and depth to the proceedings.

It’s important for the family to work closely with the funeral director when compiling the program. This gives them a chance to share their love for the deceased and ensure that all of the essential information is included. The funeral home can handle this entire task for their client, but most families choose to take on this responsibility themselves, so they have a chance to really put their heart into it and truly memorialize their loved one.

Funeral programs typically contain four pages, but this can vary greatly depending on how much information is to be shared at the service. The size and number of sides of the pages are up to the individual family, with some opting for a more compact, single-sided version while others prefer a larger, multi-page booklet. The font style used in a funeral program is also important, with more formal scripts evoking a more elegant event and simple, minimal styles adding a modern or low-key effect.

Photos

Funeral programs can be a beautiful way to share the life of your loved one with your guests. They are typically a folded pamphlet that shares the order of service and any special tributes, memorial poems, and scripture verses to be shared during the ceremony. They can be a creative canvas to share your loved one’s life story with others and oftentimes are used as keepsakes after the service.

When choosing photos for your funeral program, be sure to select a high-quality photo of your loved one. The photo can be in black and white or color, and it is important that the image is clear and focused. If possible, a portrait of your loved one should be taken at a professional studio so that the image is of the highest quality.

In addition to a photo, you may want to include a photo collage of family and friends or photos of your loved one participating in hobbies and interests. You can also choose to have a video slideshow for your funeral program that can be displayed on large screens during the service. These video presentations can be a meaningful way to share your loved one’s story with your guests and are a great alternative to a photo presentation.

You should consider how many photos you wish to include in your funeral program, as incorporating too many may overwhelm the design. You also want to make sure that you are selecting only the best photos – not every single photo you ever took of your loved one.

Another way to personalize your funeral program is to add a decorative frame, border, or clip art to the page. This can help give the program a more polished and professional look. You can find a wide selection of pre-designed funeral clipart to use as you create your own funeral program. It is a good idea to look for simple and tasteful designs to complement the rest of the design of your funeral program.

Words of Remembrance

The words you choose for your funeral program or homegoing service program are a way to honor your loved one and celebrate their life. You may want to use quotes that capture their spirit or a passage from a favorite poem. You can also include an opening or closing line from a beloved song. Many families like to use a meaningful verse from the Bible or other religious work. You can also use inspirational sayings or quotations from notable authors and poets.

Whether you are hosting a funeral or a celebration of life, the wording for your program should focus on remembrance and the many good things that your loved one did throughout their lifetime. You may wish to avoid platitudes such as “he or she had a wonderful life” or “they’re in a better place now.” These statements minimize the bereavement of those who are grieving, and they don’t capture the essence of a person’s life.

Your program can be as simple or complex as you’d like. Typically, you’ll want to include a cover with a meaningful image, your loved one’s full name and date of death, the order of events listed on the inside page, and any additional information you wish to share. Some programs are four-sided, while others are single or double-sided.

If you’re unsure where to start, check out this guide on how to create a funeral program to find some inspiration and guidance. Once you’ve finalized the content, you can have it printed either at home or by a professional printer. Then, it will serve as a special memento for your family and friends who attend the memorial service or celebration of life. You can even keep it as a keepsake after the event is over. It’s a beautiful way to help everyone remember your loved one for years to come.

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