Farra is a death administration assistant for UK families. Get step-by-step guidance for registering a death, applying for probate, notifying banks, and managing bereavement admin. From essential documents to practical checklists, Farra simplifies estate paperwork and funeral-related tasks so you can focus on what matters.
Need to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order — from £95.
Order of service booklet guides guests through ceremony. Include: cover (photo, name, dates), running order (music, readings, eulogy, committal), hymn lyrics, poems. DIY costs £20-£100 (use Canva, print at Instantprint), professional costs £150-£400. Standard A5, 4-8 pages, print week before funeral. Funeral directors often include in package.
An order of service booklet guides guests through the funeral and serves as a keepsake. This guide covers what to include, template examples, design tips, printing options, and whether to DIY or use a professional service.
A complete order of service typically includes these elements:
List each part of the service in order:
Example Structure:
Include specific titles of hymns, songs, readings, and who's performing/reading them.
If using traditional hymns that guests may sing along to, include the full lyrics. For recorded songs, just list the title and artist.
Print the full text of readings or poems so guests can follow along. This is especially meaningful for non-religious services.
A brief (100-200 word) summary of their life: where they were born, career, family, hobbies, personality. Gives context to guests who didn't know them well.
Example:
"John was born in Liverpool in 1945 and spent his entire career as a teacher, inspiring thousands of students. He was a devoted husband to Mary for 50 years, a proud father to three children, and a passionate Liverpool FC supporter. John loved gardening, jazz music, and traveling with his family. He will be remembered for his kindness, humor, and unwavering optimism."
A message from the family thanking attendees for coming and supporting them. Also include:
Example:
"The family would like to thank everyone for attending today and for your love and support during this difficult time. Please join us for refreshments at [Venue Name, Address] following the service. Donations in John's memory to Cancer Research UK can be made at the exit or online at [charity link]."
Some families include 2-4 additional photos throughout the booklet showing different life stages or memorable moments.
Here are common formats and page counts for order of service booklets.
One A4 or A5 sheet, printed front and back
Front: Photo, name, dates, service details
Back: Order of service, thank you message
A4 folded in half to create 4 A5 pages
Page 1: Front cover with photo
Pages 2-3: Order of service, hymns, readings
Page 4: Biography, thank you, wake details
Multiple sheets stapled or saddle-stitched
Extended content: Full hymn lyrics, multiple readings, longer biography, multiple photos
Professional design: More room for creative layouts
The 4-page A5 booklet (A4 folded) is the sweet spot for most funerals. It's professional, affordable, and has enough space for all essential content without being overwhelming.
Good design makes the order of service both functional and meaningful.
You have several options for printing your order of service, each with different costs, timelines, and quality.
Popular services: Vistaprint, Instantprint, Printed.com
Formula: Expected guests + 20% extra
Extras are for: keepsakes for family, people who take multiples, and anyone you forgot to count.
Should you create the order of service yourself or hire a professional? Here's how to decide.
Moderate. Requires basic design skills and attention to detail.
£10-£80 depending on printing method
Easy. Someone else does the work, you just approve.
£100-£200 (design + printing included)
Many families use a middle ground:
Cost: £30-£100 | Quality: High | Effort: Moderate
Here are the best tools for creating your own order of service:
Free online design tool with funeral order of service templates. Drag-and-drop interface, no design skills needed.
Cost: Free (Pro version £10.99/month for premium templates)
Best for: Easy, professional-looking designs
Traditional option. Many free templates available online. Good if you're already familiar with these tools.
Cost: Free if you have Office
Best for: Those comfortable with Word/PowerPoint
Professional design software. Steeper learning curve but ultimate control and quality.
Cost: £19.97/month
Best for: Those with design experience or wanting highly customized layouts
Websites specifically for funeral orders of service. Templates, design assistance, and printing in one place.
Examples: Funeral Guide, Loving Tributes, Funeral Printing
Cost: £50-£150 (design + printing)
Best for: Convenience and funeral-specific templates
Low-resolution photos
Photos look fine on screen but pixelated when printed. Use high-res images (300 DPI minimum).
Spelling errors
Typos in names, dates, or readings are embarrassing. Proofread multiple times. Have 2-3 people check.
Wrong dates or times
Double-check funeral service date, time, and venue match the actual booking.
Too much text crammed in
Overwhelming and hard to read. Use white space. If content doesn't fit, use 8 pages instead of 4.
Printing too few copies
Running out mid-service is awkward. Always print 20% more than expected guests.
Last-minute printing
Rushing leads to errors and stress. Aim to have orders of service printed 2-3 days before the funeral.
Ignoring print bleed and margins
Important text too close to edges gets cut off. Leave at least 0.5 inch margins.
Not legally required, but highly recommended. It helps guests follow along, participate in hymns, and serves as a keepsake. Most funerals (80%+) have them.
Recommended: 170-250gsm (grams per square meter) matte or silk finish. This is thicker than standard copy paper (80gsm) but not too thick to fold. Matte looks more traditional; silk is slightly glossy and modern.
Yes, some families email PDFs to guests beforehand or display on screens at the venue. However, most people still prefer physical copies to hold and keep. Hybrid approach: physical at service, digital emailed later.
At least 3-5 days before the funeral. This gives time for printing, dealing with errors, and making changes if needed. Content can't be finalized until you confirm the service order with the celebrant.
Small errors (typo in a song lyric): Generally okay, most guests won't notice. Major errors (wrong date, name spelling): Reprint if time allows. If impossible, have someone announce the correction at the start of the service.
Arrange a funeral in 7 days. Step-by-step guide: register death, choose funeral director, plan service. Get 3 quotes and save £1,000s.
Don't overpay! Compare 3 funeral directors. Ask these 12 questions, check transparent pricing. Spot red flags and pressure tactics.
Essential questions to ask funeral directors before booking. Price transparency, service questions, red flags to watch for.
Complete funeral planning checklist for the UK. From death to funeral day, with timeline, budget planning, and downloadable checklist.
Creative funeral service ideas for the UK. Traditional vs modern services, personalization ideas, music, readings, and celebrant options.
Ready to apply for probate?
Answer 15 questions and we'll tell you exactly what to file, in what order, and what to do when it gets complicated.
Get started →Free to start · from £95