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Funeral Program Has Values
Most people view a memorial service as their last opportunity to bid farewell to a friend, associate or family member. There are a number of cultural, regional and personal influences that can affect these types of proceedings. Providing a funeral program is one way to let all in attendance understand the order of actions.
Some choose to use a single panel design, while others find it best to print booklets. Either way, the handout should clearly present the deceased's complete given name as well as the days on which they were born and died. The place and time the services are to be held, and the honoree's photo are also placed on the front cover.
The inside should contain a complete ordered listing, start to close, of how the service will proceed. For each passage, poem or song that is used as a tribute, the title, author and person who is performing it needs to be listed. It would also be a thoughtful gesture to have the obituary included as part of the publication.
Having a printed order of service helps the officiant to keep the proceedings flowing smoothly and in a timely fashion. It also provides an opportunity for those in attendance to follow along. Everyone will know what to expect as well as the details of any tributes performed during the event.
Aside from letting everyone know what to expect, these handouts often provide mourners with a sense of comfort and closure. It gives them a physical reminder of a very personal occasion. There is no wrong or right way to grieve, and for some, these mementos are key coping mechanisms.
There are plenty of reasons for having a funeral program available for guests. Each person will have access to the flow of proceedings as well as the personal details of the deceased. It may also serve as a keepsake to the memory of a loved one lost.
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