A Celebration of Life Program That Feels Like Them

The same bones as a funeral program, warmed: a cover with a photo, name, and dates under a line like 'Celebrating the Life of'; the order of the gathering (welcome, music, stories, a reading, closing words); a life sketch written the way the person actually sounded; a favorite poem, song, or quote; and the family's thanks with reception details. Photos and personal touches belong here more than in a formal funeral program.

A memorial service keeps a quiet, service-like structure — seated guests, a sequence of readings and remarks. A celebration of life relaxes it — an open gathering, shared stories, their favorite music and food. The program follows: a memorial program lists an order of service; a celebration-of-life program lists the gathering's flow and leans warmer in tone. The memorial service guide covers the quieter format.

Warm and personal, never breezy. Use the name everyone called them, mention what they loved in plain words ('her garden, her Sunday pancakes, the Cubs'), and keep sentiments short. The program should sound like the family wrote it — because the best ones did; EZdoc sets your words and invents none of its own.

Either works. A bifold gives you four panels — cover, the gathering's order and life sketch inside, poem and thanks on the back. A flat card suits an informal open-house gathering and doubles as a keepsake. Say which you prefer when you describe the program.

Count expected guests and add fifteen percent, plus a keepsake reserve — celebration-of-life programs are taken home more than any other kind. For 80 expected guests, print 95 to 100, on a heavier matte stock if you can.