Funeral and Memorial Printing: A Gentle Guide to Orders of Service and Keepsakes

A gentle guide to orders of service, memorial cards, photographs, wording and proofing. Please ask early, and take the time you need.

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What should I put in a funeral order of service?

Most orders of service include the person's full name, dates of birth and death, a chosen photograph, and the date, time and place of the service. After that come the order of ceremony, hymn words, readings and the names of those taking part. Many families add a short life story, a thank you and details of donations or refreshments. There is no strict rule, so include what feels right to you.

What size is a funeral order of service booklet?

A5, which is 148 x 210 mm, is the most common size because it is easy to hold and carry. Booklets are made from pages in multiples of four, so four, eight, twelve or sixteen pages are typical. A longer service, many photographs or lots of hymn words may need more pages. A larger folded sheet is another option. Tell us how much you want to include and we can suggest a layout.

How many orders of service should I print?

Print more than the number of people you expect, because some guests arrive unannounced and relatives who cannot attend often like to have a copy. One guide suggests adding roughly 20 to 30 per cent on top of expected attendance. A few extras for family keepsakes are worth including. If numbers are uncertain, ask the funeral director for their estimate, and tell your printer so the quantity can be quoted.

Which photographs work best for a funeral order of service?

Choose a clear, well-lit photograph where the face is easy to see, ideally the original file from a phone, camera or scan. Images saved from social media or messaging apps are often small and print soft. Very dark or blurry pictures rarely improve in printing. Send the biggest version you have, and avoid screenshots. If you are unsure whether a photo will print well, ask before settling on it.

How can I use an old or faded family photograph?

Scan it rather than photographing it with a phone, ideally at a high resolution such as 300 dpi or more at the size it will print. Scanning flat avoids glare and distortion. Small prints may need scanning at a higher setting to be enlarged. Some marks and fading can be gently improved, but a printer cannot add detail that is not there. Keep the original safe and send only the scan.

What wording or poems can I use in a memorial card or order of service?

Many families choose a short poem, a favourite verse, a line from a song or a few of their own words. Simple is often best, and a personal memory can mean more than a famous quotation. Modern poems and song lyrics may be protected by copyright, so check before printing, or ask the author's publisher if unsure. Read the text aloud to someone close to you before it is finalised.

When should I order funeral printing around the date of the service?

Start as soon as the date and time are confirmed, and ask for printing early, because gathering photos, wording and approval takes time. We cannot promise a particular turnaround, and it depends on the job and the work already in hand. At FabricForge, delivery time and the charge are confirmed in the quote, so you know where you stand before you agree. Please contact us as soon as you know the date.

How do I proofread an order of service carefully?

Check every name and spelling, including middle names and relatives, then dates against official documents. Confirm the time and place with the funeral director, and verify hymn titles and numbers. Ask at least two other people to read it, as fresh eyes catch what tired ones miss. Read the text slowly, one line at a time, and check nothing is too close to the edge. A visual proof from us is for exactly this.

Can I print a eulogy in the order of service?

Yes, a short eulogy or tribute can be printed in a booklet, and some families include it as a keepsake for those who cannot attend. A full-length speech may take several pages, so consider printing a shortened version or putting the full text on a separate sheet. Take care with spellings of names and any personal details. If you are still editing, wait until the wording is settled before sending it.

What are memorial cards and when are they given out?

Memorial cards, sometimes called remembrance or prayer cards, are small keepsake cards with a photograph, the person's name and dates, and often a short verse. They are commonly handed to guests at or after a service, or sent to those who could not attend. Common card sizes vary, so ask what suits your wording and photo. Choose a sturdier card stock if it is likely to be kept in a wallet or book.

Are memorial T-shirts and hoodies appropriate for a funeral?

They can be a thoughtful tribute, particularly where the family has asked for them or the person loved a team, band or brand. Some families prefer traditional dark clothing at the service itself, so ask the immediate family before ordering. Memorial garments are often worn at a gathering afterwards or an anniversary. FabricForge prints T-shirts and hoodies, and you can ask us about a design and a quote, including when ordering several.

What other personalised memorial items can be made?

Besides booklets and cards, families sometimes choose personalised tote bags, T-shirts, hoodies, banners or framed prints for a gathering or as keepsakes. A simple design with a photograph, name and dates tends to feel most fitting. Think about who will receive the item and whether they will want to keep or wear it. Ask us what is possible for your idea and we will explain it in a quote.

Can I get remembrance items made for a pet?

Yes, many people want to remember a much-loved pet, and a printed keepsake can help. Options may include a small memorial card or a personalised item with their name and photograph, and pet bandanas or hoodies are something FabricForge prints for living pets. Please ask what we can do for your idea. We are always happy to talk gently through the details without any pressure.

Dividing the work between family members

Memorial printing goes more smoothly when one person holds the master copy of the wording and everyone else sends changes to them. Otherwise three relatives each fix a different version and nobody is sure which date is right. Choose a single contact for us, and let that person collect photographs, poem choices and the list of those taking part in the service.

One person gathers the photographs and checks they are the ones the immediate family wants shown.
One person confirms names, titles and relationships, such as how to refer to a stepdaughter or a long-time friend.
One person speaks to the funeral director about order of ceremony, music titles and the venue address.

A calm checklist before you send material

Having everything in one message saves you repeating yourself on a difficult day. Before you write to us, try to have these to hand: the full name as it should appear, the dates, the venue and time, the photographs as the best files you can find, the hymn or reading text typed out, and a rough idea of how many guests you expect. If something is not decided yet, say so plainly and we will quote around it.

Is it all right to leave things blank and fill them in later?

Yes. Tell us which parts are still uncertain, such as the wake location or a final reading, and we can leave space on the proof. It is far easier to add confirmed details than to correct wrong ones after printing.

What if family members disagree about the wording?

This happens often and it is nobody's fault, since grief shapes opinions. A short, plain layout with the essentials is usually easier to agree on than a long one. Ask the person closest to the one who has died to have the final say, and send us only that version.

Can I include a small print of something personal on the back?

A line of handwriting, a favourite saying or a small pattern can be a lovely finishing touch on the back page of a booklet or card. Send a clear scan of the handwriting rather than a phone picture taken at an angle, and check the proof carefully for any lost detail.

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