“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?”
What’s inside
- Cover (p1): an empty cross on a hill at sunrise, with John 11:25-26
- Planning the service (p2): what is in the pack, how to print and fold, an 8-item checklist and Psalm 34:18
- Sample order of service (p3): 12 steps with what happens in each, about 45 to 60 minutes
- Program outside (p4, landscape): the front panel “In Loving Memory” with a photo frame, name, dates and service details (Psalm 23:6), and the back panel “With Thanks” with pallbearers, interment and reception (Revelation 21:4)
- Program inside (p5, landscape): the order of service to fill in, and “A Life Remembered” with John 14:2
- Prayer cards (p6 and p7): 4 cards per sheet, verses on the front and a short prayer on the back
- Funeral Scripture readings (p8): 13 KJV passages and 10 hymns, with 1 Corinthians 15:57
Sample order of service for a Christian funeral
This is a common order for a funeral or memorial service of about 45 to 60 minutes. Your pastor or funeral director may change it, and the program’s inside page lets you write in your own.
- Prelude: Quiet music or a hymn as guests are seated.
- Welcome: For example: We have gathered to give thanks to God for the life of our loved one, and to find comfort in His Word.
- Opening Prayer: The pastor or a family member prays for comfort and peace.
- Hymn: The congregation sings together, such as Amazing Grace or It Is Well with My Soul.
- Old Testament Reading: Psalm 23 or Psalm 121, read by a family member or friend.
- New Testament Reading: John 14:1-6 or 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.
- Life Story: The obituary or a short life story, read aloud.
- Tributes and Memories: Two or three people share a memory (about 3 minutes each).
- Special Music: A solo, a favorite hymn or a recorded song.
- Message of Hope: A short sermon on the hope of the resurrection.
- Closing Prayer and Benediction: The pastor commends the family to God’s care.
- Recessional: Music as the family and pallbearers leave first.
“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
Funeral prayer card prayers and verses
The prayer cards print four to a sheet. Each front has one of these verses, and each back has a place for the name and dates and this short prayer:
Lord, we thank thee for the life we remember today. Comfort all who mourn, hold us close in our sorrow, and keep our hope in Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life. Amen.
- Psalm 23:4: “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.”
- Matthew 5:4: “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
- John 14:27: “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
- Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
“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.”
Scripture readings and hymns for a funeral
Page 8 lists 13 KJV readings that families often choose. For more, see our Bible verses for a funeral.
- Psalm 23:1-6: The LORD is my shepherd
- Psalm 121:1-8: My help cometh from the LORD
- Psalm 90:1-12: Teach us to number our days
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8: A time to every purpose
- Isaiah 40:28-31: They that wait upon the LORD
- Lamentations 3:22-26: His compassions fail not
- John 11:21-27: I am the resurrection, and the life
- John 14:1-6: In my Father’s house are many mansions
- Romans 8:31-39: Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?
- 1 Corinthians 15:51-57: O death, where is thy sting?
- 2 Corinthians 5:1-8: An house not made with hands
- 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18: Comfort one another with these words
- Revelation 21:1-7: God shall wipe away all tears
Hymns for a funeral: Amazing Grace · It Is Well with My Soul · Abide with Me · Blessed Assurance · What a Friend We Have in Jesus · Rock of Ages · Nearer, My God, to Thee · The Old Rugged Cross · Be Still, My Soul · My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less
“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Before you print, ask your funeral home or church what they already provide; many will copy the programs for you.
Related reading: Bible verses for a funeral · grief · death · heaven · comfort and strength · Psalm 23 meaning · John 14 KJV
Also free: Bible verses for sympathy cards · Psalm 23 printable · Large-print Psalms
Frequently asked questions
Is this funeral program template free?
Yes. It is free for families, churches and funeral homes to print and copy for any funeral, memorial or celebration of life service. Please share the page link rather than the file, and don’t resell it.
How do I print a folded funeral program?
Fill in one copy by hand, then print pages 4 and 5 double-sided on one sheet (flip on the short edge, actual size or 100%). Check it, photocopy as many as you need, and fold each sheet in half. US Letter folds to 5.5 × 8.5 in; A4 folds to A5.
What goes in a funeral program?
The full name, the dates of birth and death, a photo, the order of service, the people taking part, a short life story, the pallbearers, interment and reception details, and a Bible verse.
What is a typical order of service for a Christian funeral?
Prelude, welcome, opening prayer, a hymn, Old and New Testament readings, the life story, tributes and memories, special music, a message of hope, closing prayer and benediction, and the recessional. Your pastor or funeral director may change the order.
Can I type on it?
This edition is for filling in by hand and then copying. A print shop can copy it onto card stock in minutes.
Free for families, churches and funeral homes to print and copy. Please share the page link rather than the file, and don’t resell. Scripture from the King James Version (public domain in the US).