Funeral Planning: Things to Include in the Order of Service
If you are planning the funeral of a loved one, as well as organising the coffin, the notices in the local newspaper and choosing the venue where the service will take place, you will also need to write an order of service. The order of service is given out to mourners as they enter the memorial service and contains details of everything which will be taking place as well as information about the deceased. Below is a guide which will help you to create an order of service.
Details of any hymns or readings which will be sung or given during the service
Including details of the hymns and readings will allow the mourners to join in and to follow along with the service. If you are unsure about the type of hymns or readings which would be suitable for a funeral, you should speak with the funeral director. They will be able to provide you with a list of readings and hymns which are often used as part of memorial services. You may also wish to include a short poem in the order of service.
Include the time, date and location of the memorial service
While the order of service is typically given out at the memorial service, it is important to include the time date and location where it is taking place. Many people like to keep the order of service as a reminder of the person they have loved and lost so including this information is designed to allow someone to place exactly where and when the service took place after the event rather than to give details beforehand.
Include a photo
It is always a good idea to include a photo of the deceased. When choosing a photo, you may wish to pick one which shows them during happier times. If you will be saying goodbye to an older person, feel free to choose of photo of the person when they were younger. Including a photo of them as a young man or women will help to remind people that they lived a long and happy life. Including a photo can also help to spark memories and conversation among the mourners. Talking about the deceased is an important part of coming to terms with their death.
If you would like further advice, you should contact your local funeral service. The funeral director will be happy to offer you information and help.
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