How to Create a Celebration of Life Program (Free Template Included)

Planning a memorial service for a loved one can be overwhelming, but creating a celebration of life program doesn’t have to be. A well-crafted program (also known as a funeral pamphlet or memorial program) helps guide attendees through the ceremony and serves as a heartfelt keepsake. In this guide, we’ll explain what a celebration of life program is, when you might choose one instead of a traditional funeral program, and how to easily customize it using printable memorial program templates. We’ve even included a free funeral program template you can download to get you started right away.

What Is a Celebration of Life Program?

A celebration of life program is a booklet or pamphlet that outlines the schedule and elements of a memorial event focused on celebrating the deceased person’s life. It’s similar to a traditional funeral program, but often more joyous and personalized in tone. Instead of centering on grief, a celebration of life program highlights the positive memories, stories, and the unique personality of your loved one. Family and friends use it as a guide during the ceremony — from opening remarks and readings to music, eulogies, and closing messages — ensuring everyone can follow along and participate in honoring the person’s legacy. This program not only helps organize the event, but also serves as a cherished keepsake attendees can take home to remember the life well-lived.

When Should You Use a Celebration of Life Program?

A celebration of life program can be used in place of a traditional funeral program or in addition to one. Deciding to have a celebration of life service often comes down to the tone and timing you want for honoring your loved one. Here are some common situations where a celebration of life program makes sense:

• After a funeral or cremation: Many families hold a formal funeral or memorial shortly after the loss, then organize a celebration of life weeks or months later. This gives time to plan a more uplifting gathering when initial grief has eased.
• Instead of a somber service: If your loved one expressed a wish for an upbeat send-off, or if a traditional religious funeral doesn’t feel appropriate, a celebration of life event allows you to honor them in a personalized, positive way.
• When you want flexibility: Celebration of life ceremonies can be held in any meaningful location (a park, beach, community hall) and aren’t bound by strict protocols. The program can include unique elements — like their favorite music, an open mic for stories, or a casual dinner — creating a memorable tribute that reflects their personality.

In essence, choose a celebration of life program whenever you want to celebrate rather than solely mourn, or to complement a traditional service with a more personalized memorial gathering.

What to Include in a Celebration of Life Program

Every memorial program is unique, but most celebration of life programs share a few common elements. Including these in your booklet will ensure it’s informative and meaningful for guests:

• Cover Page: The front of the program usually features a favorite photo of your loved one, their full name, birth and death dates, and a title (for example, In Loving Memory or Celebrating the Life of [Name]).
• Order of Service: This section outlines the sequence of events or activities during the ceremony. List things like the welcome message, songs or musical performances, readings or prayers, the eulogy, open tributes (if guests will share memories), and the closing. This helps everyone follow along.
• Obituary or Life Story: Many programs include a brief obituary or a paragraph highlighting the person’s life story, major milestones, family members, and what made them special. This tribute celebrates their legacy and can be read quietly by guests.
• Photos and Memories: Adding a collage of photos or a few pictures throughout the program can personalize it. Some families include captions or short quotes with the images. You might also print a favorite poem, scripture verse, or saying that reflects your loved one’s spirit.
• Acknowledgments: It’s common to include a note of thanks from the family, expressing gratitude to everyone who attended or helped. You can also mention any special contributions (like pallbearers, officiant, musicians) or invite attendees to join a reception or make memorial donations to a charity in the person’s honor.

Remember, there is no strict formula — you can customize the content to best reflect your loved one’s life. The beauty of a celebration of life program is that it can be fully personalized, whether that means adding an inspirational quote, a favorite recipe on the back, or anything that feels right to include.

How to Create and Personalize a Celebration of Life Program (Easily)

Designing a memorial program from scratch can be time-consuming, especially if you’re not familiar with graphic design. Fortunately, using funeral templates (pre-formatted memorial program designs) can make the process much simpler. Here’s a step-by-step guide to creating a beautiful, personalized celebration of life program:

1. Choose a Template: Start with a ready-made memorial program design. We offer a free funeral program template compatible with Microsoft Word. You can use a pre-made template to save time and ensure a polished look. For example, you might download our free funeral program template (compatible with Microsoft Word) as a convenient starting point.
2. Gather Your Content: Collect all the details you want to include before you start editing. This includes the person’s full name (as you want it displayed), birth and passing dates, an obituary or brief biography, order of service outline, any poems or readings, names of participants (speakers, officiant, pallbearers if applicable), and photos you wish to use. Having this content ready will make the customization smoother.
3. Edit the Text: Open the template in Word or your chosen editing software. Replace the placeholder text with your loved one’s information. Most templates will have clearly labeled sections for the obituary, order of service, hymns or poems, etc. As you edit, keep the tone warm and celebratory. If your loved one had a favorite quote, scripture, or song lyric, consider including it to add a personal touch.
4. Personalize the Design: Customize any design elements to suit the person’s style. You might change the cover photo to one that captures their personality, adjust colors or fonts, or add decorative touches (like floral motifs or religious symbols) if appropriate. The goal is to make the program feel unique to them. With an editable template, these changes are usually as simple as clicking a text box or image and updating it.
5. Review and Print: Before printing, double-check all the information for accuracy (spelling of names, dates, and any scheduled times). It often helps to have another family member or friend proofread it too. Once it looks good, print a test copy on the paper you plan to use. Many people use a heavier paper or cardstock for a quality feel. If you don’t have a printer, you can save the file as a PDF and have it printed at a local print shop or office supply store. The end result will be a printable memorial program that you can confidently hand out at the service.

Using templates not only saves time but also reduces stress during an already difficult time. You get a professionally formatted program without having to be a designer. Plus, you can still tweak anything you want so it feels just right.

Ready to Create Your Program?

By following the above steps and tips, you’ll be well on your way to creating a celebration of life program that truly honors your loved one. You don’t need to be a designer to create a beautiful, meaningful memorial program. With the help of our free celebration of life template, you can focus on what truly matters—honoring your loved one. This free template will jump-start the process, save you time, and ensure you have a beautiful, fitting tribute to hand out at the service. With the right template and a personal touch, you can craft a memorial program that celebrates a life well-lived and offers comfort to all who attend. Start customizing your program today and let it help you share the story of a wonderful life.