Order of Service for a Funeral: Samples for 5 Traditions

The order of service is the running order of the funeral, printed in the program so guests can follow along and know when to stand, sing or pray. Every church and family adjusts it, but most follow one of five shapes. Here they are, ready to copy. In the program maker each one fills in when you pick the tradition, and you only type who does what.

Protestant funeral service

Common in Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Lutheran and non-denominational churches. About 45 to 60 minutes.

1. Prelude
2. Processional
3. Welcome and Opening Prayer (pastor)
4. Hymn, often “Amazing Grace”
5. Old Testament Reading, often Psalm 23
6. New Testament Reading, often John 14:1-3
7. Obituary (often read silently from the program)
8. Hymn or solo
9. Eulogy
10. Reflections from family and friends
11. Message of Comfort (pastor)
12. Closing Prayer and Benediction
13. Recessional

Catholic funeral Mass

The order follows the Order of Christian Funerals. About an hour. Details and readings are in the Catholic funeral program guide.

1. Introductory Rites: Greeting and Sprinkling with Holy Water, Placing of the Pall, Entrance Song, Collect
2. Liturgy of the Word: First Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second Reading, Gospel Acclamation, Gospel, Homily, Universal Prayer
3. Liturgy of the Eucharist: Preparation of the Gifts, Eucharistic Prayer, Communion
4. Words of Remembrance (where the parish allows them)
5. Final Commendation: Invitation to Prayer, Song of Farewell, Prayer of Commendation
6. Procession to the Place of Committal

Homegoing service

The tradition of many Black churches, a celebration of the person going home to God. Often longer, with music throughout.

1. Processional
2. Hymn of Comfort
3. Old Testament Scripture
4. New Testament Scripture
5. Prayer of Comfort
6. Musical Selection
7. Acknowledgements and Condolences (cards and resolutions read)
8. Obituary (read silently)
9. Reflections (often “two minutes, please”)
10. Musical Selection
11. Eulogy
12. Recessional

Celebration of life

Less formal, often weeks later, sometimes outside a church. See the celebration of life program guide.

1. Music as guests arrive
2. Welcome
3. Opening words
4. A reading or poem
5. Their story
6. Memories from family and friends
7. Music
8. Photo slideshow
9. Closing words
10. Reception

Non-religious service

1. Music as guests arrive
2. Welcome
3. A reading
4. Their life
5. Tributes
6. A moment of reflection
7. Closing words
8. Music to leave by

How to write it in the program

• Put the name next to each part. “Old Testament Reading … Ruth Ellis”. Guests like to know who is speaking.
• Give the reference for readings (“Psalm 23”) so people can follow in a pew Bible.
• Print hymn words only when they are in the public domain, such as hymns published before 1929. For newer hymns, print the title; most churches have the hymnal.
• Add the officiant under the heading: “Rev. James Carter, officiating”.
• Put the burial and repast on the back, so people know where to go next.

The funeral program template lays it out with each name on the right, the readings’ references and the officiant line, and spaces it to fill the page.