Programs & order of service
Funeral program examples and what goes inside
By Lindiwe Khumalo · 6 min read · Updated 24 June 2026
If you have the template but are unsure what to actually write inside, this page walks through each part of a funeral program with worked examples. The inside is where the booklet does its real job - it guides mourners through the service and tells the person's story.
The two inside pages usually carry the order of service on one side and the obituary plus surviving family on the other. Below are filled-in examples you can adapt.
These are samples, not rules. Families add a favourite photo, a clan praise, or a child's drawing where it feels right.
Example: inside left (order of service)
Here is a worked order of service for a Christian funeral. Swap in your own hymns and names.
| Step | What happens | Who |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Opening hymn - "What a Friend We Have in Jesus" | Congregation |
| 2 | Scripture - Psalm 23 | Read by a granddaughter |
| 3 | Opening prayer | Pastor |
| 4 | Family tribute | Eldest son |
| 5 | Friends' tribute | Lifelong friend |
| 6 | Hymn - "Abide With Me" | Congregation |
| 7 | Obituary | Read by a niece |
| 8 | Sermon | Pastor |
| 9 | Acknowledgements | Family spokesperson |
| 10 | Closing hymn | Congregation |
| 11 | Procession to the cemetery | All |
Keep tributes to two or three speakers so the service does not run long.
Example: inside right (obituary and family)
A short, warm obituary reads better than a long one. Example:
Gogo Nomvula Dlamini was born on 4 March 1948 in Nongoma. She trained as a nurse and gave forty years to the clinics of northern KwaZulu-Natal. She married Bhekani Dlamini in 1971 and raised five children, all of whom she sent to school on a nurse's salary and a vegetable garden. She loved her church choir, strong tea and a full house on Sundays. She passed peacefully at home on 12 June 2026.
Left to cherish her memory: her husband Bhekani; children Sipho, Thandi, Musa, Lindiwe and Bongani; fourteen grandchildren; and a host of relatives and friends.
That is enough. The full life story can be told in the spoken tributes.
What people most want to find inside
When mourners open the program, they look for:
- The running order - so they know when to stand, sing or sit.
- The hymn names - so they can sing along.
- The person's story - the obituary, in their own words where possible.
- The family list - to see who is bereaved.
- The burial details - where and when the interment will happen.
If those five things are clear, the program has done its job.
Optional extras that families love
If you have space, consider adding:
- A short poem or a single Bible verse the person loved.
- A photo collage of two or three pictures across their life.
- A line of clan praises (izithakazelo) for the surname.
- A QR code linking to a memorial video or photo album.
- A note about the after-tears or repast venue.
Do not feel pressure to add all of these. A clean, simple program is always appropriate.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Spelling a name wrong. Check every name with a family member.
- A blurry photo. Use the sharpest picture you have, not the most recent low-light one.
- Tiny fonts. Many mourners are older. Bigger is kinder.
- Running the order of service too long. Trim the speaker list rather than rushing on the day.
- Forgetting the acknowledgements. Families always want to thank the community.
Frequently asked questions
What do you put inside a funeral program?
Inside a funeral program you put the order of service on one page and the obituary plus the list of surviving family on the other. Optional extras include a poem, a Bible verse, a photo collage and the burial details.
Do you need an obituary inside the program?
It is the most common element and most families include a short one. A few warm sentences about where the person was born, what they did, and who survives them is enough. The full story can be told in the spoken tributes.
How long should the obituary in a program be?
Keep it to one short paragraph of four to six sentences, followed by the list of surviving family. A program is a guide, not a biography, so the detail belongs in the eulogy and the spoken tributes.
Can I include photos inside a funeral program?
Yes. A small photo collage of two or three pictures across the person's life works well on an inside page or the back. Keep images sharp and leave enough white space so the page does not feel crowded.
Should hymn names go in the program?
Yes, listing the hymn names next to each step of the order of service helps the congregation sing along. Some families even print the first verse of the main hymn so everyone can join in.
