Planning a Christian Funeral or Memorial Service = A Gentle, Practical Guide for Families

Planning a funeral or memorial service while grieving can feel overwhelming. There are many decisions to make in a short amount of time — often while your heart is still processing loss. This guide was written to help carry some of that burden.

About Pricing

The suggested price for this guide is $5. If you’re able to give at that level, thank you — that one-time contribution helps cover basic ministry expenses and allows us to continue creating practical, faith-centered resources for families.

If you’re in a season where you honestly cannot afford this right now, please accept it as our gift. You’re welcome to enter $0 and download it freely.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Planning a Christian Funeral or Memorial Service is a pastor-written, practical PDF designed to gently walk families through the most common parts of a Protestant Christian funeral or memorial service in the U.S. While written from an evangelical perspective, many of the principles shared here are helpful across denominations and traditions.

A Quick Note About Format

This guide is provided as a printable PDF formatted for standard 8.5 × 11 pages. Many families choose to print it for easier reading, note-taking, or sharing with loved ones. It can also be viewed on phones and tablets; however, the font size will be much smaller on mobile devices.

And if you’re in a position to give a little more so others can benefit, your generosity is deeply appreciated. There is absolutely no obligation.

This guide is not just a checklist. It’s a thoughtful, step-by-step resource that explains how services typically flow, who usually handles what, and how to plan meaningful music, visitation, and family participation — all in clear, compassionate language.

You don’t need to do everything in this guide. These are simply tools to help you think through the process, reduce stress, and make informed decisions during a difficult season.

Inside, you’ll find guidance on:

• How most services are structured (from arrival to closing)
• The roles of the officiant, funeral director, musicians, and family
• Visitation: what it is, how it works, and how to prepare
• Planning music thoughtfully for comfort and worship
• Choosing musicians and preparing for sound
• Slideshows and photo tributes (with practical tips)
• Graveside services, pallbearers, and honorary pallbearers
• Military honors, flowers, and memorial donations
• A gentle note about honorariums
• Sample orders of service
• A simple planning checklist at the end

There’s also devotional encouragement and a pastoral closing written especially for families walking through grief.