Arranging a funeral means making dozens of decisions in a short space of time, and the printed side is often the part nobody warned you about. There are more items than most people expect, and each one needs photographs, wording and a decision about how many. This page is a calm overview of the printed pieces a funeral can involve, so you can choose what matters to your family and let the rest go. If you are doing this now, we are very sorry for your loss.
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The printed pieces, one by one
Not every funeral uses all of these. Most families pick two or three.
- Order of service booklet. The printed programme handed out at the door. It is the item most families place first, and it has its own page with more detail.
- Photo display board. A mounted collage of pictures, set near the entrance or at the gathering afterwards. See funeral memory boards.
- Memorial cards and bookmarks. Small keepsakes for guests to take home, usually a photograph, a name, dates and a line or two of verse.
- Thank-you cards. Sent afterwards to those who attended, sent flowers or helped. These are often left until weeks later.
- Large portrait or banner. Some venues welcome a larger photograph on a stand beside the coffin or at the door.
- Tribute clothing. A T-shirt or hoodie with a face or a name, worn by close family and friends. Our in loving memory T-shirts page covers that.
Work backwards from the service date
The most useful planning habit is to start from the day of the service and count backwards. The funeral director or celebrant will usually confirm the date and venue first. Printing comes after the content is settled, and content takes longer than people think, because it depends on other people: a relative who has the best photograph, a friend who is writing a tribute, a vicar or celebrant who must approve the running order.
When you contact us, give your deadline in the very first message and order early rather than late. We cannot promise a delivery window in advance, but knowing the date lets us tell you honestly what looks workable. If the date is close, say so plainly. Nobody will think less of you for it.
Decide who is in charge of what
Funerals are usually handled by several people at once, and printing goes wrong when everyone assumes someone else has the photos. A short division of tasks helps:
- One person is the main contact with us, so that wording does not arrive from four directions.
- One person gathers photographs and checks who is in them.
- One person confirms names, dates and spellings with the wider family.
- One person has the final say on the proof, so that approval is a single clear yes.
Spelling is the commonest regret. Middle names, married names and nicknames are all worth checking with a second relative before anything is printed.
Choosing photographs that print well
A photograph that looks fine on a phone can disappoint on paper. As a rule, the original file from the camera or phone is better than a copy sent through a messaging app, because those apps shrink images. If you are photographing an old print, do it in daylight, flat on a table, with no flash. Faces matter more than backgrounds, so pick a picture where the person is clearly visible and, ideally, looking as they would want to be remembered. Where several versions exist, send them all and let us show you options on the proof. Our guide to preparing artwork and files goes into the technical side.
How many should you order?
Guessing numbers is stressful, and the answer depends on how many people are likely to come. Some thoughts that may help:
- Count the family and close friends you know are attending, then add a generous margin for those who learn of the funeral late.
- If the service is being shared online or is open to the community, expect more people than the invitation list suggests.
- Keepsake cards tend to be wanted by almost everyone, so they are worth ordering in a slightly larger number than booklets.
- Remember relatives who cannot travel. Many families post a booklet or card afterwards.
There is no minimum order, so you can order a small run and add more if needed, but doing so late may not suit your timing. Tell us your estimate and we will talk it through.
Keeping the pieces looking like a set
Many families like their printed items to share one photograph, one typeface and one colour. It makes the day feel considered, and it also makes ordering easier because the same material is reused. For example, the photograph on the booklet cover can appear on the memorial card, and a different one from the same period can anchor the display board. We can show you how a set would look together before anything is printed. Proofs are shown before printing, and you are welcome to ask for changes.
What a quote conversation looks like
We work by message rather than through an online basket. You tell us what you need, how many, and your date, by WhatsApp, phone or email. We reply personally, ask a few questions about wording and photographs, and prepare a quote. You then see a proof, and printing starts only once you are happy. Our printing is done by production houses in major UK cities, so there is no shop to visit. If it helps, you can begin with only a photograph and a name and work out the rest as we go.
Printed items for different kinds of farewell
The mix changes with the occasion. A church service followed by a wake in a function room tends to call for a booklet, a board and keepsake cards. A direct cremation with a memorial gathering weeks later gives more breathing space, so a single large portrait and cards may be all you need, and there is time to choose photographs unhurriedly. A secular celebration of life often leans towards bright, informal design, with fewer religious elements and more of the person's character. Memorial days and anniversaries bring a smaller version of the same needs. If you are arranging a gathering rather than a formal service, tell us, and we will adapt the suggestions to suit.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Leaving the proof for someone to check later, then finding no one did.
- Using a very small or blurry photograph because it was the only one to hand. Ask around first.
- Packing the booklet or board with too much text. Space around a photograph is respectful.
- Forgetting the venue name, time or address on a printed item that guests will carry.
- Printing a poem or song lyrics without checking whether they are in copyright. Our funeral memorial printing guide touches on this.
Can I order just one item?
Yes. Plenty of families only want a single order of service booklet or a single board, and there is no minimum order. Tell us what you need and we will work from there.
Can you work from photographs on my phone?
Yes. Send them by WhatsApp or email, and if you can, send the original files rather than screenshots. If a picture is too small to print well, we will say so honestly and suggest alternatives.
What if the details are not final yet?
Send what you have. Venue, time and readings can often be added at proof stage, so you do not have to wait until everything is settled before getting in touch.
What if I need help with the wording?
We can suggest simple layouts and common ways of phrasing dates and dedications. The words themselves should always be yours, and we will keep them exactly as you give them.
When you are ready
Start with whichever piece feels most pressing, usually the booklet, and let the others follow. A short message with the person's name, the service date and a photograph is plenty to begin.
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