A funeral booklet is often kept long after the service has ended. It may hold the words to a favourite hymn, a photograph that brings someone back into the room, or a reading chosen by family. That is why learning how to print funeral booklets is about more than selecting paper and pressing print. It is about preparing a clear, respectful piece that helps everyone follow the service and gives mourners something meaningful to take home.

When arrangements are moving quickly, a simple plan makes the process less stressful. Start with the order of service, check the practical details carefully, then choose a booklet format and finish that suit both the content and the tone of the day.

Start with the order of service

Before designing anything, gather the final wording from the person leading the service, family members and anyone providing readings or music. The booklet normally needs the deceased’s full name, dates of birth and death, the date, time and venue of the funeral, and the order in which each part of the service will take place.

A typical funeral order of service may include an entrance hymn or piece of music, welcome, readings, tribute or eulogy, prayers, a reflection, a committal and closing music. If there are hymn lyrics, include every verse that will be sung. Small omissions can be difficult for guests to manage on the day, particularly where a congregation is unfamiliar with the words.

Keep the wording exactly as approved. Names, dates, song titles and the spelling of family members’ names deserve a final check by at least two people. It is sensible to nominate one person to give final approval, rather than making changes from several versions of a document at the last minute.

Choose a format that is easy to hold and read

The most common choice is an A5 booklet made by folding A4 sheets in half. It is compact, familiar and large enough for a photograph, service details and readable text. Four pages can work well for a short service, while eight or 12 pages give more room for poems, hymns, photographs and a longer tribute.

Booklet page counts need to be divisible by four. This is because each folded sheet creates four pages: a front cover, two inside pages and a back cover. If your content only fills six pages, consider adding a favourite poem, a short thank-you message, a photograph page or a simple blank space rather than trying to force an uneven page count.

A single folded card is another good option for a short service. It is quicker to read and may be preferable where there is only a running order, a hymn and a photograph. For a larger service with several readings and musical items, a properly stapled booklet is usually more practical.

Set up the artwork correctly

You can create funeral booklet artwork in Word, Publisher, Canva, InDesign or another design programme. Word is often perfectly suitable for a straightforward booklet, provided the layout is checked carefully before printing. The priority is not elaborate design. It is clear type, correct page order and enough space for people to read comfortably.

Use a simple, legible typeface and avoid very small text. Body copy at around 11pt or 12pt is generally comfortable for most readers, although it depends on the font. Use good contrast, such as dark grey or black text on a pale background. Light grey wording, patterned backgrounds and pale text over a photograph may look attractive on screen but can be hard to read in a church or crematorium.

For photographs, use the best original image available rather than a screenshot sent through a messaging app. A clear image at a suitable resolution will reproduce more naturally in print. If a cherished photograph is older or slightly soft, it can still be used, but avoid enlarging a tiny image to fill an entire cover.

Save the final version as a PDF before sending it to print. A PDF holds the fonts, spacing and image placement in place, reducing the chance of a layout shifting on another computer. If you are supplying a folded A5 booklet, make sure the PDF pages are in normal reading order – page 1, page 2, page 3 and so on. A print professional can arrange the pages for booklet production.

Allow for margins and folds

Do not place text, faces or key parts of a photograph too close to the edge of the page. Leave a comfortable margin around the content, especially near the centre fold. If a background colour or image runs to the edge, it normally needs a small bleed area beyond the finished page size so it can be trimmed cleanly.

Where a booklet has several folded sheets, the inner pages may need a small adjustment to account for the thickness of the paper. This is one reason it helps to share the finished PDF and specification with the printer before committing to a complicated layout.

Select paper and finishing with the service in mind

Paper choice changes how a booklet feels in the hand. A thicker uncoated cover with smooth inner pages is a classic, understated option. Uncoated paper has a softer finish and is easy to write on if guests may add a personal note. Silk paper has a subtle sheen and can give photographs a little more depth while remaining restrained.

There is no single right choice. A simple monochrome design on uncoated stock can feel calm and traditional. A full-colour cover with a landscape or family photograph may suit a more personal celebration of life. The key is to make the finish support the content rather than distract from it.

For booklets of eight pages or more, two staples along the fold are usually the neatest and most durable finish. Check that the finished booklet opens flat enough for guests to follow readings and lyrics without struggling to hold the pages apart.

Work out the quantity and timing

Order more copies than the expected attendance. As a general rule, add around 10 to 15 per cent to your guest estimate. Extra booklets are useful for close family, people who arrive unexpectedly, those unable to attend, and relatives who may wish to keep a spare copy.

Timing matters as much as quantity. Ask the funeral director or venue when they need the booklets delivered or collected, then work backwards. Leave time for artwork approval, printing and any final correction. If a reading changes after the first proof, a reliable printer can advise whether the amendment affects the timing or cost before production begins.

For families in Solihull, East Birmingham and nearby communities, speaking directly with a local print team can remove uncertainty when the service is close. ICS Print can check supplied artwork, discuss paper and booklet options, and help with a fast turnaround where the specification allows. Bringing in a printed draft or emailing a PDF early can prevent avoidable delays.

Check a proof before the full run

A proof is your opportunity to look at the booklet as a guest will see it. Read every page in order, including the cover and back page. Check that hymns break in sensible places, photographs are not cropped unexpectedly, and page numbers or headings are consistent.

Pay particular attention to names and dates, but also check the service venue, officiant’s name, music credits and any charity donation details. If the booklet includes a QR code or website address supplied by a family member, test it before printing. Once a booklet has been folded and stapled, correcting an overlooked detail means producing it again.

It can help to print a rough copy at home on plain paper and fold it yourself. This quickly reveals whether the page sequence makes sense and whether there is too much text on one spread. It will not show the final paper quality or colour accurately, but it is a useful layout check.

How to print funeral booklets without added pressure

If you are printing at home, use a printer that handles double-sided printing reliably and test one complete booklet before starting the full quantity. Make sure you understand whether the printer flips on the long edge or short edge, as the wrong setting can leave reverse pages upside down. Allow extra time for folding, collating and stapling, particularly if there are more than four pages.

Professional printing is often the calmer choice when quantities are higher, the booklet includes colour photographs, or the service is only days away. A print team can produce a consistent finish, staple booklets accurately and flag common artwork issues before they become a problem. It also frees family members to focus on arrangements and one another.

A well-prepared funeral booklet does not need to be ornate. Clear words, a considered photograph and a format that is comfortable to read are enough to create a fitting keepsake. Give yourself permission to keep the design simple, ask for help with the technical details, and spend your time on the memories the booklet is there to honour.