What Is an Order of Service, and What Goes In It?

An order of service is the printed guide to a funeral or memorial. It lists each part of the ceremony in the order it will happen, so everyone knows what is coming and what they are invited to do.

Think of it as a gentle map for the day. It carries guests from the moment they sit down to the final farewell, and it becomes a keepsake many people hold onto for years.

If you are planning a service right now, this is one of the more manageable tasks. The structure is simple, and most of it can be copied from a clear template.

What does an order of service include?

Most orders of service follow the same basic shape. You do not need every item below, but these are the parts families usually include:

• The full name of the person who has died
• Their date of birth and date of passing
• The date, time, and place of the service
• The name of the officiant, celebrant, or minister
• The opening words or welcome
• Hymns, songs, or pieces of music
• Readings, poems, or scripture
• The eulogy or tribute
• Prayers or a moment of reflection
• The committal or farewell
• Details of any gathering afterward

You can also add a photo on the front, a short verse, or a thank-you note from the family. Keep it as full or as simple as feels right for you.

What is the usual order of a funeral service?

While every service is different, the running order tends to follow a familiar flow. Here is a common sequence you can adapt:

1. Entrance and welcome — guests are seated and the officiant opens the service.
2. Opening words — a few sentences setting the tone, often warm and personal.
3. First hymn or song — something meaningful to your loved one or family.
4. Reading or poem — read by a family member, friend, or the officiant.
5. Eulogy or tribute — the main reflection on the person's life.
6. Second piece of music — a quiet moment to gather thoughts.
7. Prayers or reflection — religious or secular, depending on your wishes.
8. Committal or farewell — the formal goodbye.
9. Closing words and music — guests are invited to leave or move on.

A secular service uses the same shape. You simply replace prayers and hymns with readings, music, or a shared silence.

If you want help with the spoken tribute, our step-by-step guide to writing a eulogy walks you through it gently.

How do I write an order of service?

Start by talking with the funeral director or celebrant. They will know the time you have and any practical limits, such as how long the venue is booked.

Then work through it in small steps:

1. List the parts you want, using the structure above as a starting point.
2. Choose the music and readings, and write down exact titles and names.
3. Confirm who is doing what — who reads, who speaks, who plays music.
4. Put it in order and check the timing feels calm, not rushed.
5. Add the personal details on the front and back.
6. Proofread everything, especially names and dates.

Read it aloud once you are done. If it flows naturally when spoken, it will feel right on the day.

For a wider view of what belongs in the printed booklet, see our gentle funeral program checklist.

What should the front and back cover say?

The front cover is usually simple and quiet. Most families include:

• A photo of the person who has died
• Their full name
• The years of their life, for example 1948 to 2026
• The words "In Loving Memory" or "Celebrating the Life of"

The back cover is a place for a closing thought. You might add a short poem, a favorite verse, a line of song lyrics, or a thank-you to everyone who came. Some families also list donation details for a chosen charity here.

If you would like wording you can copy straight in, our funeral program wording examples cover covers, openings, and closings.

How long should an order of service be?

There is no rule, and shorter is often kinder for guests who are grieving. Most orders of service are one folded sheet, giving four small pages, which is plenty for a clear running order.

A longer booklet of eight pages or more suits services with several readings, a life story, or many photos. Choose the length that fits your content, not the other way around.

Keep the type large enough to read easily. Many older guests will appreciate it, and so will anyone reading through tears.

A small note on making it look settled

When the words are ready, the last step is laying them out so the booklet looks calm and dignified. This is where a simple template saves time and worry.

If you would rather not start from a blank page, our funeral order of service insert gives you a clean, ready-made layout to drop your details into and print at home. You can browse the full range of printable memorial templates if you need a matching program or prayer card too.

However you put it together, remember that no one is judging the formatting. The order of service simply helps everyone share the same moments, in the same order, as you say goodbye together.