Creating an Order of Service booklet for a funeral is an important task. This keepsake not only guides attendees through the proceedings but also serves as a beautiful tribute to the deceased. At Printech Express, we understand the significance of this piece, and in this guide, we can walk you through how to design a funeral service booklet that balances practicality with a personal touch.
Step 1: Choose the Size and Format
The first decision to make when designing your order of service booklet is the size and format. The most common sizes are:
- A5 (148 x 210 mm) - A compact, classic size that is easy to handle.
- A4 folded (210 x 297 mm) - Ideal for those who need more space for longer services or detailed tributes.
At Printech Express, we recommend an A5 booklet for most funerals, as it offers enough space for the essential information while remaining discreet and easy to hold.
Step 2: Select a Theme or Style
The design of the booklet should reflect the personality and preferences of the person being remembered. Consider the following design themes:
- Traditional and Elegant: Soft color palettes, simple fonts, and classic motifs like crosses, doves, or floral borders work well for a traditional service.
- Personalized and Unique: If the service is more casual or personalized, use meaningful imagery like hobbies, nature scenes, or photos that represent the person’s life and interests.
- Religious Symbols: If the ceremony follows specific religious traditions, include appropriate symbols and imagery, such as a Star of David, Cross, or Crescent.
Keep the overall theme consistent across the cover, inner pages, and final sections to create a polished, cohesive look.
Step 3: Gather the Content
The content of an Order of Service booklet generally follows a standard structure, although this can be customized depending on the ceremony. Here's a typical structure:
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Cover Page:
- Name of the deceased.
- Dates of birth and death.
- A photo or artwork.
- A brief quote or verse that resonates with the family.
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Order of the Ceremony:
- Welcome address.
- Prayers or readings.
- Songs or hymns.
- Eulogy.
- Final prayers or closing words.
- The committal or farewell.
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Hymns and Readings: Include the lyrics of any hymns or verses so attendees can follow along. Be mindful of font size—ensure it’s large enough to read easily.
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Tributes and Photos: If the family would like, add personal tributes, short biographies, or special memories. Adding photos throughout the booklet can make it even more personal and touching.
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Thanks and Acknowledgments: At the end of the booklet, you can include a section where the family thanks attendees for their support, as well as details about any post-service gatherings.
Step 4: Choose Fonts and Colors
While designing, ensure the font is legible, particularly when it comes to the main body text. Serif fonts like Times New Roman or Georgia are commonly used for traditional services, while more modern services might opt for a clean sans-serif font like Arial or Calibri.
Color schemes should be respectful and match the tone of the service. Soft pastel tones, muted blues, purples, or earth tones are common choices. If you're using a photo of the deceased on the cover, make sure the background and text colors complement the image.
Step 5: Use High-Quality Images
Whether you're using photos, illustrations, or religious symbols, ensure that all images are of high quality. Blurry or pixelated images can detract from the professionalism of the booklet. At Printech Express, we offer advice on optimizing image quality for print to ensure your booklet looks polished.
Step 6: Proofread and Review
Before sending the design to print, proofread all content thoroughly to catch any mistakes in names, dates, or hymn lyrics. It’s often helpful to have several people review the booklet to ensure nothing is missed.
Step 7: Print with Care
Once the design is complete, you’ll want to ensure the booklet is printed with the highest quality. At Printech Express, we offer premium paper options, including satin, matte, and gloss finishes, to give your booklet the perfect touch.
- Satin finish is smooth and elegant, ideal for a refined look.
- Matte finish provides a subtle, sophisticated texture, with no glare.
- Gloss finish makes colors and images pop with vibrancy, perfect for booklets with lots of photos.
You can also choose between a range of bindings, from staple-bound to more elaborate stitched bindings.
Step 8: Delivery and Distribution
After printing, decide how to distribute the booklets. If you're having a large service or need the booklets at short notice, we offer express printing and delivery options to ensure everything is ready on time.
Visit our website www.printechexpress.co.uk for more details on our funeral booklet printing services or to get started on your design today.