Funeral stationery: your frequently asked questions answered
What is a funeral order of service?
A funeral order of service is a printed or digital booklet that guides people through a funeral or celebration of life. It carries the person's name and dates on the front, the running order inside, any readings, poems or hymns, and usually a photograph. Guests keep it afterwards. Afterstone's orders of service are designed to be personalised and printed, so you shape them around the service you are holding.
What do you put in a funeral order of service?
Most follow a simple running order: a front cover with the person's name, dates and photograph, a welcome, the tributes and eulogy, any readings or poems, the music or hymns, a moment of reflection or the committal, and a closing with details of the wake or a thank you. You do not have to include all of it. For a celebration of life after a direct cremation, you can drop the formal parts and keep only what fits.
What size is a funeral order of service?
The most common size is A5, an A4 sheet folded in half. Afterstone offers two formats: a four-page A5, which is A4 folded to A5, and a six-page A4 trifold for a longer service with more readings or photographs. Both come as digital templates you personalise and print.
How many orders of service do I need?
Order roughly one between two guests, plus extra for the family and for people who could not attend but would like one. Because Afterstone's orders of service are digital templates you can print yourself or through a printer, there is no minimum order and no reprint cost if your numbers change. Print ten or a hundred.
Do you need an order of service for a direct cremation?
Not for the cremation itself, because a direct cremation has no service and no mourners present. If you hold a farewell or celebration of life afterwards, an order of service helps guests follow the running order and gives them something to keep. Many families arranging their own farewell use a simple one, or a memorial bookmark, in place of a formal booklet.
How is the stationery delivered, and can I print it myself?
It depends on the item. The memory book, signage and notelets are printed in Britain and posted to you. The orders of service, announcement cards, posters, bookmarks, memory cards and thank you cards come as digital templates, emailed to you to personalise directly after purchase and then print at home or through a printer. You print exactly what you need, when you need it.
Does the Afterstone stationery match?
Yes. Every piece coordinates across the range, and it is designed to sit alongside Afterstone's ash scatter tubes, so the stationery and the tube share the same look. The range comes in four designs: ivory, beige, navy and turquoise, and chocolate and copper.
Is the Afterstone stationery collection religious or non-religious?
The designs carry no religious imagery, so they suit a religious service, a humanist or non-religious farewell, or a celebration of life equally. You add any readings, hymns, music or wording you want, so the tone is yours to set.
Can I include photographs?
Yes. Every template has space for at least one photograph, and the orders of service and posters take several. Upload your image, drag it into the frame, and move or zoom to position it. A clear, high-resolution photograph prints best.
How do I personalise the digital templates?
The digital templates are edited in Canva, which is free to use. You receive a PDF with a link to each design. Click a link, select "use template", and the design copies into your own Canva account. Double-click any text box to type your own words, adjust the size and spacing, and upload a photograph straight into the frame. When you are ready, download it as a PDF for printing. Work on a copy so you always keep the original.
What if I don't want to design it myself?
Our in-house designer can personalise the templates for you, or check your design before you print. Design support starts from £50. Email louise@tinydesignsdevon.uk with what you need.
What paper should I print funeral stationery on?
For an order of service, a weight of around 120gsm to 160gsm feels substantial without being stiff to fold. A home printer handles this, and a local print shop will offer heavier stocks up to 300gsm and a choice of matt or silk finish. If you print professionally, ask your printer about bleed and crop marks before you export.
You can source lots of great paper types , colours and thicknesses for home printing from good stationery providers and craft/hobby stores.
What is a memory book?
A memory book, sometimes called a condolence book or guest book, is where people write their name and a few words at a funeral or celebration of life. It gives the family a record of who came and what the person meant to them, to keep and read later. Afterstone's memory book comes with printed signage in 4 designs, so guests know where to sign.
What is a memorial bookmark?
A memorial bookmark is a small keepsake, 50mm by 150mm, carrying the person's name, dates, a photograph and a few words or a short verse. Guests take one away and keep it. It works on its own for a smaller gathering or alongside an order of service.
What do you write in a funeral thank you card, and when do you send them?
A funeral thank you card thanks people for their support, their attendance, and any flowers or donations. A line or two is enough. Most families send them within a few weeks, though there is no rule, and later is entirely fine or not at all. Afterstone's range includes both a printed thank you card and a digital version you can send to those who attended or sent personal messages by email or message.
How do you announce a death?
You can create a death notice or funeral announcement however suits the family: a printed card, a notice or a message sent by email, WhatsApp or social media. Some families will place a notice in the local or national newspaper or community Facebook group.
An announcement gives the person's name, that they have died, and the date, time and place of the funeral or farewell, if there is one.
Afterstone's announcement templates come as an A6 printed card and a digital version for messaging and social media.
How quickly will I get stationery ordered from Afterstone?
The digital templates are emailed to you, so you can start personalising straight away. Printed items are dispatched as quickly as we can, within five to ten days. If you have an urgent date you need them by, tell us, and we will do our best to meet it.
When will I get my stationery order from Afterstone?
We will work quickly to ship your order as soon as possible. Once your order has shipped, you will receive an email with further information. Delivery times vary depending on your location.
