Printing Funeral Programs

If you are creating funeral programs at home, you may have questions about the what paper you should use. Here are some quick tips for choosing paper to print your funeral programs.
1. Choose a heavier paper — Thicker paper will make your program more durable and professional looking. Paper weight is measured in pounds. Standard copy paper is 20 pounds. Choose a 24 or 28 pound paper to increase durability and reduce “showthrough”.
2. If using card stock (paper with a weight of 40 – 100 pounds), check your printer specifications to make sure that your ink jet or laser printer can handle cardstock. If so, allow more time for printing, to allow for slower printer times and possible jams.
2. If using a colorful funeral program template with graphics and photos, select a paper with a higher brightness. Paper brightness ranges from 80 to 100. Select the highest brightness available to make your graphics and images clear and sharp.
3. If printing a colorful funeral program, avoid colored paper and paper with textures. Colors and textures can distort the colors on the funeral program and photos, giving unexpected results. If printing a program with minimal colors or in black and white, get a sample of the colored or textured paper and print a copy so that you can see how your program colors will print before you print them all.
4. Check your local office supply or copy store for paper availability. Funeral programs are usually needed quickly, and you may not have time for a special order or an order from the Internet.

Graduated Fold Funeral Program Templates

The graduated fold funeral program template (sometimes called offset) is a newer layout style that gives a new twist to the traditional funeral program layout. It is very similar to the bifold (single fold) funeral program template, except there the fold is slightly offset, revealing a different colored tab, design or text to the left of the program. Often the name or other information is typed in this tab. This fold and exposed tab give a contemporary and polished look to your funeral programs. Since this layout can be tricky, predesigned funeral program templates are the quickest and easiest way to obtain this style of program.
Similar the bifold (single) fold funeral program template, the graduated fold funeral program template can still contain the traditional elements of the funeral program such as the cover photo, the funeral order of service, scriptures, funeral and memorial poems, funeral song lyrics and much more. Consider using a graduated fold for your funeral program and create a special and lasting memory of your loved one.

Funeral Programs

Funeral programs (sometime referred to as a memorial service bulletin or memorial program) are a printed documents (or booklets) that are given out at a funeral or memorial service. A funeral program helps the guests follow the funeral service, and serves as a keepsake to remember the deceased. Funeral Program Templates are used to help make creating a funeral program much faster and easier. Elegant Memorials sells professionally-formatted, quality funeral program templates for a very low price. These templates can be downloaded immediately and come in a variety of themes, colors styles and layouts. The website also has an extensive funeral resources section that has many tips and articles to help you plan your funeral or memorial service.

Parts of Funeral Program…

The Cover

* Full name of deceased -- Photos of Deceased
* A descriptive title of the Funeral Program such as “In Loving Memory” or “Homegoing Celebration”
* Location; Date; Time; Name of Service Leader
* Birth Date and Death Date

Order of Service
The Order of Service serves as a guide to the funeral service. Funerals or Memorials can follow any format, and can be tailored to fit your loved ones wishes, however, if you are planning a traditional service, particularly if the service is in a church, you should get guidance about the service from the pastor of other church officials.

Obituary
The obituary is a notice or announcement, of a person’s death, to include an account of their life. Obituaries are an important part of the funeral program and are the last words written about the deceased’s life. For more information, see "How to Write An Obituary".

Funeral Poems / Funeral Scriptures/Quotes / Funeral Readings
Poems are used in funeral programs to bring comfort to the grieving, or to help celebrate the life of the deceased.

Eulogies/Tributes
Eulogies, tributes and funeral poems can be included to help personalize the program.