13 Celebration of Life Program Templates

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Celebration of life services are highly customizable in that each service can have a different celebratory activity that the service is centered around. At the same time, there are some general attributes that many celebration of life services include that you may want to be aware of. For a full list of celebration of life examples you can use, visit this article.

In general, a celebration of life order of service is similar to a funeral event or memorial event order of service. It will usually contain a greeting or welcoming of some kind, readings, a eulogy, and a celebratory activity. Celebratory activities can include anything from stargazing to a lantern release; it’s up to you.

General celebration of life service outline

Here’s a what a general celebration of life template could include:

Welcome & seating. Seating isn’t always necessary or applicable at a celebration of life ceremony, but it’s a good idea to provide optional seating for the older folks who may be attending. If you’re being COVID-conscious, consider spacing out seating to assist in social distancing. If there’s no seating at your event, you’ll still want to welcome attendees to the celebration of life as a courtesy. Give them a program (if applicable) or let them know the order of the day. It can sometimes help to have the order of service posted somewhere so everyone knows what to expect.
Toast / opening passage or reading. Opening the celebration of life ceremony with a toast is a great way to set a celebratory tone. Alternatively, you can have a designated reader open the ceremony with a favorite passage or reading the decedent loved or would’ve enjoyed.
Eulogy or passage reading. Eulogies are common in funeral services and can be incorporated just the same into a celebration of life. If you’re in charge of reading or writing the eulogy, you’ll want to try and keep your tone light and celebratory to maintain a positive energy.
Celebratory activity. The celebratory activity will vary depending on the life and personality of the person who passed away, as well as the wishes of the event planners. You can choose a celebratory activity that reflects the life or hobbies of the person who passed away or one that you feel is poignant. A few ideas include a lantern release, a memorial slideshow full of videos submitted by loved ones, stargazing party, a general toast, a memory jar reading, or a general open floor for sharing memories. Some individuals may request a certain celebratory activity take place.
Closing reading and thanks. Sharing a final passage or reading is a great way to end a service on a thoughtful note. After sharing your reading, it’s customary to thank those who attended the celebration of life services. Try to select a passage, reading, or quote that maintains the celebratory attitude and atmosphere.

One page celebration of life program templates

Following are one page celebration of life program ideas you could use if you’re handing out flyers or one page programs. These are generally less expensive when printed since they’re only one page. Keep in mind you can always include this information on a memorial website to skip the printing fee and keep folks informed.

Example 1

Order of service

Celebrant
[Full name of decedent]

Welcome and Introduction
[Full name of host]

Reading
[Title of reading]
Read by [Name]

Poem
[Title of poem]
Ready by [name]

[Name of celebratory activity (e.g. Lantern Release)]
Ceremonial Farewell
Farewell song: [title of song]
Sung by [name]

Final reading
[Title of reading]
Read by [Name]

Stay connected at our memorial website: [link]

Example 2

Celebrating [Name]’s life

Welcome
Prayer
Led by [Name]
Hymn
Led by [Name]
Eulogy
Led by [Name]
Slideshow
[Name of celebratory activity]
Final farewell
Closing song
[Title of song]
[Artist name]

Our family thanks you for joining us in celebrating [Name]’s life. Please share any favorite memories at the memorial website: [link]

Example 3

The wonderful life of [Name]

Welcoming song
Sung by [name]
Opening reading
Led by [name]
Eulogy
Read by [Name]
Memorial slideshow
[Name of celebratory activity]
Closing song
[Title of song]
[Artist name]

We thank you, wholeheartedly, for joining us in remembering [Name]’s incredible life. Please consider making a contribution to [charity name] in honor of [name], which you can do at [his/her] memorial website: [link]

Example 4

The incredible life of [Name]

Welcome and introductions
Led by [name]
Opening reading
Read by [name]
Opening song
Sung by [name]
[Name of celebratory activity]
Reflections from friends and family
Closing thoughts
Thank you so much for joining our family in celebrating [name]’s life today. We would love to see any and all photos you have of [name]. Please share them by posting to our memorial website: [link]

Example 5

The beautiful life of [Name]

Welcome and introductions
Led by [name]
Opening passage
Read by [name]
Opening song
Sung by [name]
[Name of celebratory activity]
led by [name]
Reflections from friends and family
Open mic for friends and family
Closing thoughts
Thank you so much for joining our family in celebrating [name]’s life. Please stay in touch at our memorial website: [link]

Two page celebration of life program templates

A two page celebration of life program includes more space for additional information. Instead of including just the service outline, you can include a special reading, poem, passage, or the obituary of the deceased.

Example 1

Obituary

Order of service

Welcoming
Reading
Read by [name]
Poem
Read by [name]
Reflections from family
Eulogy
Read by [name]
Acknowledgments
Closing song
Performed by [name]

We wanted to thank you so much for joining us at [Name]’s celebration of life service. Your kindness and support to our family during this difficult time has not gone unnoticed and we are grateful to have so many in our community. [Name] was a special [person/girl/boy/woman/man] and we’re honored to have you here, celebrating [his/her] life.

Example 2

Title of reading [Reading] By [name]

Order of service

Welcoming
Reading
Opening song
Performed by [name]
Reflections from family
Eulogy
Read by [name]
Acknowledgments
Closing song
Performed by [name]

Thank you to all who have helped us during this difficult time.

Example 3

[Title of Song]

Order of service

Welcoming
Poem
Read by [name]
Group share
Led by [name]
[Celebratory activity]
Acknowledgments
Closing thoughts

Thank you for joining us.

Example 4

Obituary

Order of service

Welcoming
Reading
Memorial slideshow
Reflections from family
Eulogy
Read by [name]
Acknowledgments
Closing song
Performed by [name]

We know [name] is smiling down on us today as we share in [his/her] memory. If you’re able to, we ask that you post your favorite photo of [name] on [his/her] memorial website: [link]

Three page celebration of life program templates

A three page celebration of life program has the most room to include service information and information about the person who passed away. This is a good opportunity to share favorite readings, quotes, memories, or messages from the family to the people attending the event.

Example 1

Celebrate the life of
[Full name]
[Photo of deceased]
[Date of birth] - [Date of death]

Event information
[Date of celebration of life]
[Time]
[Location]
[Attire, if applicable]

Obituary
[Full obituary]
[Secondary photo]

Order of service

Welcome and introduction
Reading
Read by [name]
Opening song
Sung by [name]
Eulogy
Read by [name]
Memorial slideshow
Reflections from family
Celebratory activity
Farewell

Thank you, all, for being with us as we celebrate and share in the memory of [name]. Please continue to share your memories here: [link to memorial website]

Example 2

The amazing life of
[Full name]
[Photo of deceased]
[Date of birth] - [Date of death]

Services
[Date of celebration of life]
[Time]
[Location]

Obituary
[Full obituary]

Order of service

Welcome and introduction
Opening song
Sung by [name]
Memorial slideshow
[Celebratory activity]
Open invitation to share memories
Closing reading
Read by [name]

Our family thanks you for joining us on this special, but difficult day. We thank you for your continued support and for all of those who have left kind words at [name]’s memorial site. If you haven’t already, please give it a visit: [link]

Example 3

Celebrating the life of
[Full name]
[Photo of deceased]
[Date of birth] - [Date of death]

Services
[Date of celebration of life]
[Time]
[Location]

Obituary
[Full obituary]

Order of service

Welcome and seating
Poem
Read by [name]
Eulogy
Read by [name]
Reflections from friends
Acknowledgements
Closing reading
Read by [name]

[Favorite quote of decedent]

Example 4

Celebrating the life of
[Full name]
[Photo of deceased]
[Date of birth] - [Date of death]

Services
[Date of celebration of life]
[Time]
[Location]

[Title of passage]
[Full text of passage]
[Author’s name]

Order of service

Welcome and opening toast
Led by [name] Reading
Read by [name]
Poem
Read by [name]
Celebratory activity
Led by [name]
Open toasts from friends
Celebratory activity
Closing words
Led by [name]

Thank you for joining us as we celebrate the AMAZING life of [name]!

No matter what style of program you choose, setting up a memorial website in addition to your program templates gives you unlimited space and the ability to edit and add to your celebration of life program whenever you need to. You can notify your community about upcoming changes or events, collect memories, raise funds, and much more.