The right funeral order of service printer is one that can show you a proof before anything is printed, guarantee delivery before the funeral, give you a total price including design and delivery, and is easy to talk to. How much design help you need, and how many copies you want, will decide which type of printer suits you best.
If you are arranging a funeral, this is probably one more decision at a time when you have a great many. This guide sets out the main options, the questions worth asking, and how to work back from the funeral date, so you can choose with confidence and move on.
What types of funeral order of service printer are there?
Broadly there are four ways to get an order of service made. Each suits different families, and none is better in every situation.
| Option | How it works | Often suits | Worth checking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Online template editor | You pick a ready-made design and add your own wording and photographs on screen | Families comfortable designing it themselves, or wanting a quick, low-cost route and small quantities | How much control you have over the layout, who checks your proof, and whether delivery is guaranteed for your date |
| Design-it-for-you service | You send photographs and wording, and a designer creates the pages | Families short of time or confidence, or who want something personal to the person who died | Whether you can speak to your designer directly, how many changes are included, and the total price |
| Local print shop | You bring a finished or part-finished design and they print it | Families who have already designed it, or who would like to collect in person | Paper and print quality, who sets up the file, and turnaround time |
| Your funeral director’s supplier | Your funeral director arranges it with a printer they already use | Families who want one less thing to organise | Whether you will see and approve a proof, and how much choice you have over the design |
What should I ask before choosing a printer?
These questions will tell you most of what you need to know. A good printer will be happy to answer all of them.
- Can you guarantee delivery before the funeral date? Ask for the latest time you can approve the proof and still be sure of receiving the order.
- Will I see a proof before anything is printed? Ask how many changes are included, and who checks names, dates and spellings.
- What is the total price? Make sure it includes design, printing, delivery and VAT, so there are no surprises on the invoice.
- Can I speak to a real person? Some services are entirely online. Others put you in touch with your own designer by phone.
- Can you work from my photographs? Ask whether they can improve an old or damaged photograph, and whether that costs extra.
- What paper is it printed on? Ask for the weight of the cover and of the inner pages. Heavier paper feels more substantial, but a thick booklet will not close properly, so a good printer uses a lighter weight inside.
- Can the other stationery match? Memorial cards, mourning cards and thank you cards look best when they match the order of service.
- What are the smallest and largest quantities? This matters if you need only a few copies, or several hundred.
- What happens if there is a mistake? Ask how errors in the print are put right, and how quickly.
How do I work back from the funeral date?
Start with the date of the service and count backwards. You will need time to gather photographs and decide on the wording, time for a designer or template to produce a proof, time for you to check it and ask for changes, and time for printing and delivery.
Orders can often be turned round quickly, but it is far less stressful if you leave a little room. If your service is only a few days away, say so at the very first call. A good printer will tell you straight away whether they can meet the date.
Is a template or a bespoke design better for a funeral order of service?
A template is quicker and usually costs less, and for many families it is exactly right. A bespoke design is created around your photographs and the person who has died, starting from one of our designs or from something entirely new, which suits families who want the order of service to feel truly personal. Our guide to templates and bespoke design explains the difference in more detail.
How does Fitting Farewell compare?
We are one of the “design-it-for-you” options, and we are not the right choice for everyone, so here are the facts to help you decide.
- Bespoke, built around you. Start from one of our designs or from something entirely new. Either way it is made around your photographs and memories, and you can change anything.
- Quality paper. A 4-page order of service is printed on 350gsm card, which is heavier than many printers use. Booklets of 8, 12 and 16 pages have a 350gsm cover with lighter inner pages, so they close neatly.
- Your own designer. You speak to the person creating your stationery, by phone or by message.
- A proof before printing. We email a PDF proof. Nothing goes to print until you are completely happy.
- Everything in the price. Design, printing, delivery and VAT are included, and payment is taken when your order is printed and ready to despatch.
- Delivery in about three working days. Orders typically arrive within three working days of proof approval, by overnight courier, UK only.
- Matching stationery. We also design and print memorial cards, mourning cards, attendance cards, thank you cards and reserved seating cards to match.
Our price tables start at 30 copies, and smaller quantities are available on request, so please call us if you only need a few. You can see our current prices, browse our design gallery, or read how ordering works, step by step.
If you would like to talk it through, call us free on 0800 612 6484 or send us a message. You will speak directly to your designer, and our guide to what to put in a funeral order of service will help you think about content before you call.
