Funeral Order of Service — Structure and What to Include
The order of service is the backbone of a funeral or memorial — the sequence the ceremony follows, and the printed program handed to guests so they can follow along and keep as a memento. This guide covers a typical order, how religious and secular services differ, and what to put in the printed program.
What an order of service is
The phrase means two related things:
- The plan — the sequence of events in the ceremony, from the opening music to the final farewell
- The printout — the card or booklet given to attendees that lists that sequence, often with a photo, readings, and acknowledgements
Both are usually arranged together with the officiant and funeral home.
A typical funeral order of service
A common sequence runs like this:
- Gathering or prelude music
- Welcome and opening remarks from the officiant
- Opening prayer or reading (for a religious service)
- Hymn or musical selection
- Readings — scripture, poems, or passages
- Eulogy or tributes
- A time of reflection, silence, or music
- Committal or final blessing
- Closing remarks or benediction
- Recessional or closing music
Reception details are often announced at the end. The whole service commonly runs 30 to 60 minutes, though this varies.
Religious vs secular variations
- Religious service. Follows the faith's traditions, usually led by clergy, with prayers, scripture, and set rites. Our guides to Catholic, Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, and other traditions cover the specific structures.
- Secular or celebration of life. More flexible, often led by a celebrant or family member, centred on personal tributes, music, and memories.
- Blended. Many families mix elements — a scripture reading alongside a favourite song or a personal tribute.
The printed program
A simple folded card or four-page booklet is the usual format. Common sections:
- Cover — the person's name, dates of birth and death, a photo, and a phrase such as In Loving Memory or A Celebration of Life
- Order of events — the sequence above
- Life summary — a short obituary or biography
- Readings and lyrics — the text of what will be read or sung
- People — speakers, pallbearers, and the officiant
- Acknowledgements — thanks to those who supported the family
- Reception — time and place, if there is one
How to build your order of service
- Decide the tone — religious, secular, or blended
- Choose the officiant or celebrant
- Pick the readings, music, and speakers
- Set the sequence with the officiant and funeral home
- Write and print the program
See our guides to readings, music, and writing a eulogy for help with each part.
What we focus on at It's Simple Will
The Funeral Pre-Planner lets you record the elements that shape an order of service — preferred readings, music, speakers, and the overall tone — so your family can build the ceremony without guessing what you would have wanted.
Related guides
Citations & sources
- [1]Funeral Service Association of Canada — Funeral Service Association of Canada
Frequently asked questions
What is a funeral order of service?
It is the sequence of events in a funeral ceremony from start to finish, and also the printed program (a card or booklet) that lists that sequence for the people attending. The same phrase is used for both the plan and the printout.
What is the typical order of a funeral service?
A common order is gathering music, a welcome and opening remarks, an opening prayer or reading, a hymn or song, readings and poems, the eulogy or tributes, a time of reflection or music, the committal or final blessing, closing remarks, and recessional music. Families adjust this to their tradition.
What goes in the printed program?
Usually a cover with the person's name, dates, and a photo and a phrase such as In Loving Memory or A Celebration of Life; the order of events; a short life summary or obituary; the text of readings or song lyrics; names of speakers and pallbearers; acknowledgements; and any reception details. A simple folded card or four-page booklet is common.
How is a religious service different from a secular one?
A religious service follows the traditions of the faith and is usually led by clergy, with prayers, scripture, and set rites. A secular or celebration-of-life service is more flexible, often led by a celebrant or family member, and focuses on personal tributes, music, and memories. Many families blend elements.
Who decides the order of service?
The family decides, usually with help from the officiant, celebrant, or clergy and the funeral home. They suggest a structure, and you choose the readings, music, speakers, and tone. First-time arrangers do not need to know the whole order in advance.