A traditional Protestant or non-denominational funeral follows a sequence that has barely changed in a century. Knowing it makes the planning conversation much shorter, because you are choosing hymns and readers rather than inventing a structure.
The full order
- Musical prelude — while people are seated. Organist, pianist, or recorded.
- Processional — clergy and family enter.
- Welcome and opening prayer — the officiant, named in the program.
- Old Testament reading — reference and reader.
- New Testament reading — optional; many services use one reading, not two.
- Musical selection — hymn title and who is performing it.
- Reading of the obituary — read aloud, or noted as read silently.
- Eulogy — the named speaker.
- Remarks and acknowledgments — family and friends.
- Closing prayer and benediction
- Recessional
The two things families get wrong
The eulogy is not the sermon. The eulogy is about the person and is usually given by family or a close friend. A message or homily from the officiant is a separate item. Some services have both; if yours does, list them separately so nobody is caught out at the lectern.
The obituary reading is optional. Many churches print it in the program and do not read it aloud. If that is your plan, the program can say "Reading of the Obituary - read silently", which stops people waiting for something that is not coming.
Check hymn choices with the church before printing. Some parishes keep a list of what the organist actually has, and discovering a substitution on the morning means two hundred programs naming a hymn nobody plays.
Where it goes in the program
The order of service sits on the inside, facing the obituary or the photographs depending on format. Set each line as a title on the left, the detail on the right, and a dotted leader between them, so it can be followed from the back of the room.
Eleven entries fits comfortably on a Bi-Fold or larger. On a single-page program the printed order is capped at eight lines, so either shorten the list or move up a format — the format guide has the capacities.
How long it runs
Forty-five minutes to an hour is typical. The readings and prayers are short. What stretches a service is the number of speakers, so if several people want to say something, agree a time with each of them in advance. Three minutes each is generous and keeps the service inside the hour.
Readings families choose most often
- Psalm 23 — "The Lord is my shepherd." The most chosen by a distance.
- Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 — "To every thing there is a season."
- John 14:1-6 — "In my Father's house are many mansions."
- Romans 8:38-39 — nothing shall separate us from the love of God.
- 1 Corinthians 13 — the passage on love, often chosen for a spouse.
- Revelation 21:1-4 — "God shall wipe away all tears."
Print the reference and the reader's name, not the passage. The full text takes a panel to itself and the congregation will be listening, not reading along.
Hymns families choose most often
- Amazing Grace
- It Is Well with My Soul
- How Great Thou Art
- Great Is Thy Faithfulness
- Abide with Me
If the congregation is expected to sing, say so in the program and give the hymn number from the church's hymnal. If a soloist is performing, name the soloist instead, so people know to listen rather than reach for a book.
Who to name in the program
Everyone who takes part should find their name in print, spelled the way they spell it. That means the officiant with the correct title, each reader, the musicians and any soloist, the pallbearers, and honorary pallbearers if there are any. Ask each person how they would like to be listed. It is a small courtesy and it avoids the one error people remember.
What to confirm, and with whom
- With the officiant: the final order, and whether there will be a message in addition to the eulogy.
- With the church: the hymns, and whether recorded music can be played.
- With each speaker: that they are still willing, and how long they have.
- With the funeral home: the time the family should arrive, which is earlier than the time printed on the program.
Lay out the service without the guesswork
Choose the traditional outline and we fill it in, format it, and hand you a print-ready program.
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