Memorial Service Bulletins: What to Include and Free Templates

A memorial service bulletin is a printed program handed to guests as they arrive at a funeral or memorial service. It outlines the order of the ceremony and serves as a keepsake that families and friends hold onto long after the service ends.

What Is a Memorial Service Bulletin

A memorial service bulletin is a folded or multipage printed document that guides attendees through the service. It typically features a photo of the deceased on the front, the order of events inside, and a personal message or acknowledgment on the back. Think of it as both a roadmap for the ceremony and a tangible memory of the person being honored.

Bulletins range from simple single fold cards to elaborate booklets with multiple pages of photos, stories, and tributes. The format you choose depends on the complexity of your service and your personal preferences. A simple, well designed single fold bulletin is perfectly appropriate for most services.

What to Include

• Full name of the deceased, including any nicknames used by family and friends
• Date of birth and date of death
• A photograph, typically a portrait or a candid image that captures their personality
• The order of service, listing each element in sequence
• Names of speakers, readers, and musicians
• Text of any readings, poems, hymns, or scripture that will be shared during the service
• A brief biography or life summary
• A message of thanks from the family to those in attendance
• Information about the reception or gathering following the service, if applicable

Order of Service

The order of service is the core of the bulletin. It tells guests what will happen and when. A typical order of service for a memorial might look like this:

You can adjust this order to fit the tone and structure of your service. There is no single correct format. The goal is to give guests a sense of what to expect so they can be present and focused on the ceremony itself.

Tips for Design and Printing

Keep the design clean and readable. Use a font size of at least 11 or 12 points so that older guests can read it comfortably. Choose a simple color palette that feels respectful, such as navy, charcoal, soft cream, or muted earth tones. Avoid overly decorative fonts or busy backgrounds that make the text hard to read.

For the photo, use the highest resolution image you have. A blurry or pixelated photo on the front of the bulletin detracts from the overall impression. If you do not have a high quality portrait, a meaningful candid photo works well too.

Print on a heavier paper stock, such as cardstock or matte photo paper. This makes the bulletin feel substantial and worth keeping. Most home printers can handle cardstock, but if you want a more polished result, a local print shop like FedEx Office, Staples, or a local printer can produce professional quality bulletins quickly.

Where to Have Them Printed

You have several options for printing memorial service bulletins. Many funeral homes offer printing services as part of their package, which can be convenient but may cost more than doing it yourself. Office supply stores like Staples and FedEx Office offer same day or next day printing with professional quality results.

Online printing services like Vistaprint or Canva Print offer more design flexibility and competitive pricing, but require several days for shipping. If time is limited, printing at home or at a local shop is your best bet. If you have more time, online services may give you a more polished result at a lower per unit cost.

Free templates are available through Canva, Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and various funeral planning websites. These templates provide a starting structure so you only need to add your family's information, photos, and service details.