When considering the content for order of services, it can be a bit overwhelming, particularly in a time of grief and arranging a funeral, so we’ve outlined below some ideas to help guide you.
The content of an Order of Service is so much more than a list of hymns and poems. It should be a tribute to and celebration of your loved one. It can also serve as a keepsake for family and friends too.
Here we outline some aspects of the content for Order of Services that you may want to think about.
Selecting the Template or Design
Selecting the design is the first consideration and an important aspect because it will set the tone for the service and should reflect the personality of the deceased. Designs can vary in tone, from traditional to modern and may contain floral, illustrated or patterned images. There are professionally designed templates that you can use to produce your perfect design. All you have to do is add your own text and images.
The front page
This is effectively the ‘cover’ of the Order of Service and works best when it’s kept simple. Some things you can put on the front page are:
- The full name of your loved one
- A photograph depicting the personality of your loved one
- Their birth date and the date they passed away
- The location, date and time of the service
- A short message or epitaph
The Photograph
It’s best to find a photograph that depicts the personality of your loved one. Even if the photograph you like best is a group photograph, you may be able to crop it and the group out. You don’t have to use just one image, you can use as many as you like in the space, but just remember that all images need to be high-resolution – at least 300 dpi, for print purposes. Anything less than 300dpi will not print well.
The Inside pages
These pages will set out the funeral service information. There’s no restriction in the number of pages included, and it depends on the length of the service you’re planning . You may want to include more images of your loved one and this could be the place to do so. Usually, the person conducting the funeral service will liaise with you in terms of the order of service.
Here are some ideas to include in the inside pages of an Order of Service:
- Entrance Music
- Welcome by the person conducting the service
- Selected Hymns, Prayers or Verses
- Readings
- Appreciation of the life address
- Eulogies
- Commendations & Farewell
- Committal of the body
- Dismissal and Blessing
- Exit Music
The back page
You can use the back page for more photographs of your loved one or perhaps use it to thank friends and family for their thoughts, as well as requests for donations to charity or the announcement of the location of any wake that may be arranged.
Conclusion
We know that trying to organise content for order of services can be very trying at this sad time, but we hope that we’ve given you some ideas to help you when arranging your loved one’s funeral.
We are SC and BS Cocks – a long-established and experienced Gloucestershire-based Funeral Directors. Founded back in 1960 in Churchdown village, we are a family-run business with compassion and kindness at its heart. In 1966, we purchased the funeral director’s firm “Wilkes Funeral Services of Hucclecote” in Gloucestershire. Two years later, due to the redesign of the centre of Hucclecote by the local council, the original building was demolished, and new premises opened in 1970, which is still the same place we call home today!