Funeral Program Wording, Panel by Panel

A funeral program has a fixed set of parts, and each has a small set of wordings that families have used for a century. You do not have to invent any of it. This guide gives the usual wording for each panel, in the order a program is read. Names are invented.

The cover

Three lines above or below the photograph. Choose one heading; the rest is the name and dates.

• Heading: "In Loving Memory of" · "Celebrating the Life of" · "A Service of Remembrance for" · "Homegoing Celebration for" · "In Memory of"
• Name: full name, with a nickname in quotation marks if everyone used it: Patricia "Patsy" Ruiz Delgado
• Dates: "May 2, 1938 – September 9, 2026" or "Sunrise May 2, 1938 · Sunset September 9, 2026"

Some families add the service line to the cover: "Saturday, September 20, 2026 · 10:00 a.m. · San Fernando Cathedral". If the cover is busy, that line moves inside.

The order of service

A list, one line per part, with the person leading it on the right or beneath. The standard sequence for a traditional service:

Prelude
Processional
Opening Prayer  ·  Rev. Thomas Greer
Hymn  ·  "How Great Thou Art"
Scripture Reading  ·  Psalm 23  ·  Anne Doyle Martin
Reflections  ·  Family and Friends (two minutes, please)
Eulogy  ·  Peter Doyle
Musical Selection  ·  "Amazing Grace"  ·  St. Agnes Choir
Message  ·  Rev. Thomas Greer
Closing Prayer
Recessional

For a Catholic Mass, a celebration of life or a graveside service, the sequence differs; the order of service template has all four.

The obituary panel

An inside panel holds about 120 to 200 words beside a photograph, or 350 across a full panel. Most families print the newspaper obituary here, or a shortened version. If it must be cut, keep the facts and one sentence of who they were; the short obituary examples show the length.

Survivors

Some programs list them in the obituary; others give them a heading of their own, which reads well when the family is large.

She leaves to cherish her memory
her husband of fifty-one years, Roberto Delgado;
her children, Angela Delgado Reyes (Mark), Robert Delgado Jr. (Ana), Cristina Delgado, and Daniel Delgado (Julie);
eleven grandchildren;
her sisters, Maria Ruiz Ortega and Linda Ruiz;
and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

"Preceded in death by" follows the same form. List parents, a spouse and children who died before them; grandparents and siblings if the family wishes.

Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers

Pallbearers
Marcus Washington · Terrell Washington · Andre Coles · James Bell · Curtis Hayes · Reginald Moore

Honorary Pallbearers
The drivers of MATA Route 50 · The Deacons of Mount Olive

Six pallbearers is customary; honorary pallbearers can be any number and do not carry.

A poem or scripture

One is enough. Put the title and source; if the poem is under copyright, use one that is not, or ask permission. The poems and readings guide lists safe choices by tone.

The acknowledgment (back panel)

The family's thank-you, in the third person or the first. Either is correct; pick one and keep to it.

Acknowledgment
The family of Patricia Ruiz Delgado wishes to thank everyone for the prayers, flowers, food, visits and kindness shown during this time. Your love has carried us. Special thanks to the nurses of University Hospital, who cared for one of their own.

We are grateful beyond words for every card, every casserole and every hand held this week. Mom would have said you did too much. We know you did not. — The Delgado Family

Repast, interment and small lines

• Interment: "Interment · Holy Cross Cemetery · immediately following the service"
• Repast: "The family invites you to join them for a repast in the Parish Hall following the interment."
• Flowers or gifts: "In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Duluth Public Library." Say one or the other; "flowers welcome" is also an answer.
• Livestream: "The service will be streamed at (address) for those who cannot attend."
• Funeral home line: "Services entrusted to Brugger Funeral Home, Erie" — usually the last line on the back, small.