Order of service for a funeral: example and explanation

The order of service is the sequence of everything that happens during the funeral service: who speaks, which music is played and when the photos are shown. It is a short overview everyone can rely on. This article gives an example, explains the parts and shows how to draw it up yourself.

An example

Suppose the service starts at 11:15 and may last three quarters of an hour. The order of service could look like this:

11:00 Walk-in: music and a few photos while everyone finds a seat
11:15 Welcome by the funeral director or a family member (3 minutes)
11:18 First speaker (5 minutes)
11:23 Piece of music with photos (4 minutes)
11:27 Second speaker (5 minutes)
11:32 Poem or moment of silence (3 minutes)
11:35 Photo presentation with music (5 minutes)
11:40 Third speaker or closing words (5 minutes)
11:45 Last piece of music and saying goodbye (10 minutes)
11:55 Closing: music while everyone leaves the room

This is one possible structure. Fewer speakers, more music or a different order is just as good.

Add up the times before you ask the speakers. Three speakers of five minutes, two pieces of music and a photo presentation quickly fill half an hour.

What belongs in it?

Walk-in and closing. The music and images when people arrive and leave. Strictly speaking they are not part of the service, but the operator needs to know what is played and shown.

Speakers. For each speaker the name and the agreed time. Five minutes is roughly one page of text read aloud.

Music. For each track the title, the performer and the length. That prevents the wrong track or another version being started.

Photos and video. When images are shown and with which music.

Moments of your own. A poem, lighting candles, a moment of silence. Short, but they belong on the list.

Who is the order of service for?

The speakers: they know when it is their turn and how long they have.
The funeral director: who keeps time and leads the service.
The operator of sound and image: who knows when to press start.
The family: on the day itself you no longer need to think about what comes next.

Order of service or running order?

The order of service covers only the service itself. A running order of the day is broader: it also contains what happens before the service, such as receiving the guests, and what follows, such as coffee. Read more in what happens before and after the funeral service.

Drawing it up yourself

You can make the order of service on paper or in a text file. The drawback is that you have to recalculate all times with every change.

At The Last Farewell the order of service follows from your presentation. You put the parts in the right order, and each part shows when it begins. If you move something, the times move along. You download the order of service and the running order of the day as PDF. See a running order for the funeral.

Frequently asked questions

Do the guests get the order of service as well?

They may, but it is not necessary. Some families print a booklet with the order, song texts and a photo. The version with times is meant for those who take part in the service.

How many speakers are usual?

Two to four is common. The total time matters more than the number; see how long does a funeral service last.

What if someone speaks longer than agreed?

Allow a few minutes of slack and keep that room free. The funeral director can shorten a piece of music if needed.