In early 2025, a tribute to the legendary Scottish footballer Denis Law appeared in the press — a funeral Order of Service that captured hearts for its quiet dignity and timeless simplicity. With a single black-and-white photo and a clean layout, it expressed more than words ever could.
At Funeral Stationery 4U, we were moved by the thoughtfulness and striking design of this farewell. It reflected exactly what so many families are searching for: a way to honour their loved one with calm, elegance, and respect.
That tribute inspired the creation of our Monochrome Memory template — a dignified, minimalist design that puts your loved one at the centre.
The Monochrome Memory template allows you to easily upload a photo of your loved one and position it just as beautifully. The design features:
We’ve also made it easy to follow the same photo style: with a couple of clicks, you can remove the background and convert your image to black and white in our online editor. View the video on how to make your own Monochrome Memory Funeral Order of Service.
Although our Monochrome Memory design was inspired by one particular tribute, it has been carefully crafted to suit anyone looking for something dignified and beautiful. It works just as well for men or women, older or younger loved ones — a neutral and deeply respectful design.
If you’d like help adjusting the template further or creating a layout that honours a specific style, we’re always happy to assist.
Alec Sharples has been a dedicated funeral stationer for over 30 years, helping families create meaningful and personal tributes to their loved ones. As founder of Funeral Stationery 4U, Alec blends traditional craftsmanship with modern technology to produce high-quality, customisable funeral Orders of Service that balance elegance with ease of use.
The Monochrome Memory template, featured in this post, was created after Alec noticed the quiet beauty and simplicity of a recent public tribute. It reflects his ongoing commitment to helping families express their love and loss through designs that are both timeless and personal.
Alec has long championed digital innovation in funeral stationery. Since introducing online tools in 2010, he has continued to evolve with technology, incorporating AI-driven features while always prioritising care and accessibility. For those who prefer more traditional support, Alec and his team offer personalised offline assistance to guide families every step of the way.
Through his blog, Alec shares insights into memorial design, printing best practices, and the thoughtful details that make a tribute truly personal.
🔗 Connect with Alec on LinkedIn to learn more about his work and experience.
When commemorating a loved one, a funeral order of service is more than just a printed programme—it is a cherished keepsake that reflects their personality, passions, and life story, and that of their loved ones shared story. AI design is a transformative evolution of memorial stationery, putting the design in the hands of the family in a way that hasn't been possible before, unless you were a designer or a skilled Canva user, for example. Our state-of-the-art online editor brings AI to memorial stationery and allows families to create truly custom designs using AI-generated imagery, making each service booklet unique and deeply personal.
"Each prompt in italics below is what we used to generate the images you see in the orders of service front covers."
Whether you’re looking for a serene landscape, a meaningful decorative accent, or a tribute to a beloved hobby, our AI image generator enables you to bring your vision to life with just a few words.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the process of creating a one-of-a-kind funeral order of service using AI and provide a range of prompts to inspire your design.
Each prompt in italics below is what we used to generate the images you see in the orders of service front covers.
Watch our video below on how to create a funeral order of service using AI to see how quick and simple it is.
If you're looking for pre-designed template ideas instead, visit our orders of service template designs page.
When creating a funeral orders of service, the choice of style plays a key role in setting the right tone. We love the way watercolour designs add a soft, elegant quality, creating a sense of gentle reflection. For a timeless feel, vintage themes can add a personal touch. If you prefer a contemporary feel, a minimalist approach with subtle pastel tones may be ideal. Nature-inspired themes, such as floral botanical illustrations, bring an organic beauty that symbolises renewal and remembrance. Regardless of the approach, selecting the right style ensures that the order of service becomes a cherished and meaningful keepsake.
To generate images that fit beautiful and sensitive themes, try adding a style descriptor to your prompt. For example:
🌿 "A peaceful woodland in soft watercolour, with gentle sunlight filtering through the trees."
🎨 "A vintage botanical illustration of roses and lilies, with delicate hand-drawn details."
🕊️ "A serene sky at dusk, painted in minimalist-style and soft pastel shades with a gentle glowing horizon."
Below are AI prompts and example results to help inspire you:
Gardeners: "A lush English garden in full bloom, with roses, lavender, and a rustic wooden bench."
Gardeners: "A gardening-themed funeral order of service design featuring a pair of green gardening gloves, vibrant flowers, and rich soil, symbolising a love for horticulture."
Golfers: "A beautifully manicured golf course at dusk, with rolling greens and a glowing horizon."
Football Lovers: "A watercolour style football stadium under soft floodlights, symbolising a lifelong passion for the game."
Walkers & Hikers: "A Bob Ross-style painting of a winding trail through a misty mountain landscape, symbolising a love for the great outdoors."
Musicians: "A watercolour grand piano on a white background, symbolising a passion for music."
Artists & Painters: "A Picasso-style artist’s studio with easels, canvas, and brushes capturing a moment of creativity."
Travel Enthusiasts: "A world map with vintage suitcases and a passport, evoking a love for adventure and exploration."
Book Lovers or Writers: "A watercolour stack of books on a white background."
Bakers & Cooks: "A rustic kitchen with freshly baked bread and a warm, inviting atmosphere."
Horse Riders: "A peaceful dapple grey horse in watercolour."
Fishing Enthusiasts: "A tranquil lakeside scene with a fishing rod resting against a wooden dock."
Beyond the background, you can use AI to generate smaller decorative accents. Watch our video above to see how to remove backgrounds from the AI image generated for ease of placement next to text. Here are examples of decorative element fonts:
Once you have your images in place, you can personalise the text, choosing fonts and colours that align with the tone you wish to set. You can also adjust the layout, ensuring that each section of the order of service is clearly presented and easy to read.
Before finalising your design, preview it to ensure everything looks perfect. Once you’re happy with it, you can proceed to order printed copies for the service and download a digital version for sharing.
We invite you to explore our AI-powered editor by editing our AI template, and bring your vision to life. If you need inspiration, try out some of the suggested prompts above and experiment with different styles, add text art, decorative accents and much more, until you find the perfect look for your funeral order of service.
The AI-powered design functionality in our online editor is provided by PitchPrint, a leading web-to-print platform that enables seamless personalisation of funeral stationery.
If DIY is not for you, have a look at our pre-designed funeral order of service templates or our Done For You Service for a fully bespoke design by our talented team.
We're here for you, use our contact us form or call 01824708804 on weekdays if you would like to speak to us about your funeral stationery.
Alec Sharples has been a dedicated funeral stationer for over 30 years, helping families create meaningful and personal tributes to their loved ones. Since founding Funeral Stationery 4U, Alec has blended traditional craftsmanship with modern technology, ensuring families have access to high-quality, customisable funeral orders of service.
Alec was an early adopter of online design tools, pioneering digital solutions in 2010 to make funeral stationery more accessible while preserving the care and attention that grieving families deserve. With the emergence of AI-driven design, he remains at the forefront of innovation, integrating new technology to offer families greater personalisation, efficiency, and ease during difficult times.
Despite the shift to digital, Alec understands that not everyone prefers an online approach. That’s why Funeral Stationery 4U continues to offer offline support, ensuring that those who need guidance receive the same level of care and expertise.
Through his blog, Alec shares insights into funeral stationery, design innovations, and best practices, helping both families and industry professionals navigate the evolving landscape of memorial design.
🔗 Connect with Alec on LinkedIn to learn more about his expertise.
A Christian funeral is a sacred time of prayer, reflection, and remembrance. The order of service provides a structured guide for mourners, ensuring that every hymn, reading, and blessing follows Christian tradition while offering comfort and unity in faith.
At Funeral Stationery 4U, we provide Christian funeral order of service templates, thoughtfully designed to respect tradition while allowing for personal customisation.
For general guidance on funeral order of service booklets, including structure, design options, and FAQs, visit our Funeral Order of Service Guide.
A Christian funeral order of service typically follows a structured format, incorporating prayers, scripture readings, hymns, and personal reflections. While each service is unique, the core elements include:
Each of these components helps create a service that is meaningful, respectful, and comforting for those in attendance.
Scripture readings provide comfort and hope during a Christian funeral service. Whether traditional or modern, selecting meaningful passages can help create a service that reflects faith and love. Here are some commonly chosen readings:
📌 Explore more suggested funeral readings here.
Music plays an essential role in a Christian funeral service, offering comfort, reflection, and hope. Hymns help mourners express faith, celebrate a loved one’s life, and find reassurance in God’s presence.
"Amazing grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me..."
This powerful hymn reflects redemption, salvation, and God’s infinite mercy. It offers comfort by reminding mourners of the promise of grace and eternal peace.
"The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want; He makes me down to lie..."
Based on Psalm 23, this hymn is a reminder of God’s guidance, protection, and unfailing love. It reassures those in mourning that their loved one is at peace in His care.
"Abide with me; fast falls the eventide..."
A deeply moving hymn, Abide With Me is a plea for God’s presence during life’s darkest moments. It offers a message of hope and trust in God’s eternal companionship.
📌 Read more about Christian funeral hymns.
Structuring a funeral order of service can feel overwhelming. Below are two common formats to help guide your decisions.
📌 Need inspiration? See real-world funeral order of service examples.
Our Christian funeral order of service templates are designed to be easy to personalise while maintaining a traditional and respectful layout. Whether you prefer a classic format or something more modern, our templates can be tailored to your needs.
📌 Browse our Christian funeral order of service templates.
Use this simple checklist to help plan your funeral order of service:
For further guidance, explore our additional resources:
With over 30 years of dedicated service in the funeral stationery industry, Alec Sharples brings a profound depth of understanding and compassion to creating funeral orders of service and accompanying stationery. His journey began in 1990, driven by a mission to support families during one of life’s most difficult moments, providing them with a tangible piece of remembrance that honours the legacy of their loved ones.
“In the early days, orders were designed and fulfilled offline, but as technology evolved, we embraced online solutions to better serve families in need. In 2010, we became one of the first businesses in the UK to offer online customisation for funeral stationery. Over time, as families became more comfortable with online ordering, our business adapted, but we always remain committed to offering a personal, offline service for those who prefer a more hands-on approach.”
As a Christian and a leader in funeral order of service design and print, Alec has seen and created thousands of funeral service booklets, working closely with families to ensure each service is beautifully structured and respectful of religious traditions. His expertise includes:
Having worked with thousands of families, Alec has an unparalleled understanding of Christian funeral services, from traditional liturgies to modern personalised services. His commitment to helping families navigate this delicate process with clarity and care is at the heart of Funeral Stationery 4U.
📌 If you would like to learn more or need guidance on creating a meaningful order of service, you can connect with Alec on LinkedIn.
Writing a eulogy for a loved one is one of the most personal and meaningful tasks you’ll ever undertake. At such a challenging time, it can feel overwhelming to find the right words to honour their memory. Our guide, Tips for Writing a Eulogy, will help you write a eulogy that is simple, heartfelt, and meaningful.
A eulogy is a speech given at a funeral or memorial service. It forms part of the funeral order of service and is a chance to celebrate someone’s life. You can share happy memories, talk about their qualities, and express how much they meant to you. Think of it as telling a story about the person.
A eulogy helps to bring comfort to others. It reminds everyone of the good times they shared with the person who has passed away. It can also help you to say goodbye. Writing a eulogy is a way to keep their memory alive.
Writing a eulogy can feel daunting, especially during an emotional time. Here are some challenges you might face and how to overcome them:
Follow these simple steps to write a eulogy:
If you’re unsure of what to write, here are some phrases you can use:
Here is an example to help you get started:
"Mum was the heart of our family. She always made us feel safe and loved. She loved baking, and her apple pie was the best in the world. I’ll always remember how she stayed up late helping me with my school projects. Mum taught me kindness and patience. I am so grateful for everything she did for us. We will miss her every day, but her love will stay with us forever."
Speaking in front of others can feel scary, but these tips can help:
If you’re planning a funeral service, you may also find these resources helpful:
Writing a eulogy is a deeply personal task, but it’s also a meaningful way to honour your loved one’s life and offer comfort to others. Take your time, speak from the heart, and focus on celebrating the moments that made them special.
If you need more help, feel free to get in touch. We are here to guide you through this process.
Choosing the right hymns for a funeral is deeply personal. Hymns and music provide comfort, hope, and an opportunity for shared reflection. Below, we’ve grouped some of the most popular funeral hymns we see in our customers' funeral order of service programmes by the emotions or themes they evoke to help you select the perfect music for your loved one’s service.
These hymns celebrate the joy of life and the hope of eternal peace, making them perfect for a funeral that feels more like a celebration of life.
These hymns provide reassurance and peace, often drawing on themes of God’s guidance and everlasting love.
These hymns focus on eternal life and the promise of heaven, making them ideal for religious funerals.
These hymns encourage introspection and quiet reflection, offering peace during solemn moments.
These hymns bring a lighter, more celebratory tone, perfect for funerals that focus on joy and gratitude for the life lived.
Hymns have the power to unite those present in song, offering comfort and hope. Whether you choose a hymn that reflects your loved one’s faith, their joyful spirit, or their love of life, it will add meaning and resonance to the service.
If you’re planning a funeral service and unsure where to start, our team at Funeral Stationery 4U is here to help. We’ve also created a guide to assist you further: How to Choose Hymns, Songs, Music, and Readings for a Funeral.
For assistance, call us on 01824 708 804 or email assist@fs4u.co.uk.
Planning a funeral takes thought, especially when it comes to selecting hymns, songs, music, and readings. These elements set the tone of the service, reflecting the unique personality and life of your loved one. They can comfort grieving hearts and bring people together in remembrance.
This guide will walk you through the process of choosing hymns, songs, music, and readings that honour your loved one while creating a meaningful and memorable service.
The first step is to consider your loved one’s personality, preferences, and beliefs. Think about:
These reflections can guide your choices, ensuring the service feels personal and meaningful.
Hymns are a traditional and comforting part of many funeral services. They provide a sense of unity as attendees sing together and often carry powerful messages of hope and peace. You and your family may have favourite hymns or songs too, so make a note of these to discuss and your order of service comes together.
Popular Funeral Hymns:
Your officiant or celebrant can help you choose hymns that align with the tone of the service and provide guidance on verses to include or omit.
Music is deeply personal and can evoke strong emotions, making it a poignant addition to any funeral. Whether it’s a reflective instrumental piece or a favourite song, music can beautifully honour the life of your loved one.
Ideas for Funeral Music:
For older loved ones, you may want to explore our guide on Choosing Funeral Songs for the Older Generation.
Readings can provide comfort, share memories, or express sentiments that may be hard to articulate in your own words.
Types of Funeral Readings:
For more ideas, see our guide on How to Choose Readings for a Funeral.
The tone of the service will often determine the type of hymns, music, and readings to include.
Don’t hesitate to mix traditional and modern elements if that’s what feels right for your loved one.
Choosing hymns, songs, music, and readings doesn’t have to be done alone. Involving close family and friends can:
You could ask a family member to read a poem or select a piece of music that held special meaning to them.
Before finalising your choices, it’s important to consider:
Above all, trust your instincts when making these choices. You know your loved one best, and whatever you select will reflect the love and thought you’ve put into honouring their memory.
At Funeral Stationery 4U, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Our online editor makes it easy to create a personalised Order of Service, including your chosen hymns, songs, music, and readings, with no need to pre-determine the number of pages.
If you’d like to learn more, explore:
Alternatively, call us on 01824 708 804 or email enquiries@funeralstationery4u.co.uk.
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