Bereavement is and always will be a very difficult time for those left behind and it can be very hard to focus on everything that needs to be organised and arranged, so knowing what you need to do in advance can be very useful, even if it is difficult to think about.
Something you will need to put together is a funeral order of service and if you’ve never had to write something like this before, it can be tricky to know where to start.
These little booklets can serve as a lasting memory of the person who has gone, a fitting tribute that contains hymns, poems and other meaningful passages that will help you remember your loved one.
Think about the design before you start writing, as this will help to set the tone for the service itself and can help reflect the personality of your friend or relative. This could be something traditional with floral motifs or perhaps something more contemporary and fun… remember that just because it’s a funeral doesn’t mean it has to be black and sombre.
It may be more appropriate, depending on the person who has died, to have something on the more humorous side – and this can really help lift the mood and make the funeral a celebration of life.
The cover of your order of service should include the full name of the deceased, a photograph of them perhaps, their birthday and the date they passed away, the date, time and location of the service and possibly a short message, as well.
The inside of the booklet should include information relating to the funeral service and can include more photos if you think it appropriate.
Typically, it will include the entrance music, the introduction and welcome by the celebrant, a hymn, prayer or verse, a reading, the funeral address, a eulogy, some more verses or hymns, the commendation and farewell, the committal, the dismissal and blessing, and the exit music.
Of course, this is all subject to change depending on the wishes of the deceased and what you think will be most appropriate as a way to say goodbye. It may well be that they did some of the organising before they passed away, which may take some of the pressure off you and your family when it comes to arranging the funeral.
The back page of the booklet can also be used to include a photograph of the deceased and it’s also a good place to include any words of thanks from family and friends, as well as perhaps mentioning any donations to a specific charity as a tribute.
If you’d like any further help or advice relating to funeral order of service printing, get in touch with Headline Printers today.