How to Design a Burial Programme: Templates and Tips

The burial programme is the single most important printed document at a Nigerian funeral. It is the booklet that guests hold during the service, the keepsake that family members take home, and the physical record of your loved one's life and funeral. If you are responsible for burial programme design, the pressure can feel enormous, especially while grieving. This guide gives you a clear framework, a content checklist, and practical tips so you can produce a programme that is dignified, complete, and beautiful.

Quick Summary

• A burial programme typically includes the obituary, tributes, order of service, photographs, and the schedule of events.

• Standard size is A5 (half of A4), though A4 booklets and magazine-style formats are also common.

• Allow 7 to 14 days for design and printing, longer for premium finishes.

• A good designer costs ₦30,000 to ₦150,000; printing costs depend on quantity and quality.

• Always proofread thoroughly and get family sign-off before sending to print.

What Goes Into a Burial Programme?

A sample funeral programme in Nigeria typically includes the following sections, roughly in this order:

1. Front Cover

The front cover sets the tone. It should include:

• The deceased's full name and titles

• A high-quality photograph (formal portrait, traditional attire, or a favourite photo)

• Date of birth and date of death

• A short phrase or scripture (e.g., "Sunset: 10th January 2026" or "Forever in Our Hearts")

The design should be elegant and respectful. Avoid cluttered layouts, excessive graphics, or overly bright colours. Gold, silver, navy, burgundy, and white are the most common colour palettes for funeral programmes.

2. Inside Front Cover

This usually carries a full-page photograph of the deceased or a collage of photos from different stages of their life.

3. The Obituary

The obituary is the centrepiece of the programme. It includes the formal announcement of death, biographical details, surviving family members, and funeral arrangements. For detailed guidance on writing this, see How to Write an Obituary in Nigeria.

4. Tributes

Tributes from family members are placed after the obituary. Common categories include:

• Tribute by spouse

• Tribute by children

• Tribute by grandchildren

• Tribute by siblings

• Tribute by in-laws

• Tribute by friends/colleagues

• Tribute by church/community

Each tribute should be clearly labelled with the author's name and relationship to the deceased. For help writing tributes, see our guides on writing a tribute to your late mother or late father.

5. Order of Service

The order of service for the funeral (and for the service of songs, if it is included in the same programme) should be clearly laid out. Number each item and include the name of the person responsible.

6. Schedule of Events

List all funeral events with dates, times, and venues:

• Service of songs

• Lying-in-state

• Funeral service

• Interment

• Reception

• Thanksgiving service

7. Photo Pages

Include a selection of photographs showing the deceased at different stages of life: childhood, youth, career, family, community events, and recent years. Photo pages are among the most treasured parts of the programme.

8. Family Photographs

Group photos of the deceased with their spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings, and extended family.

9. Acknowledgements and Vote of Thanks

A short note from the family thanking everyone who supported them during the bereavement and funeral planning.

10. Back Cover

The back cover often features a final photograph, a favourite scripture or quote, or a simple "Rest in Peace" message with the deceased's name and dates.

Design Tips for a Beautiful Programme

Choose the Right Size and Format

• A5 booklet (most common): A4 sheets folded in half, stapled at the spine. This is the standard Nigerian funeral programme format. Affordable, easy to handle, and fits in a handbag or suit pocket.

• A4 booklet: For families who want a larger format with more photo space. More expensive to print but makes a stronger visual statement.

• Magazine-style: Glossy, perfect-bound, with a thicker cover. Premium option for high-profile funerals.

Select a Respectful Colour Palette

Funeral programmes are not the place for bold, loud colours. Stick to:

• White, cream, or ivory backgrounds

• Gold, silver, or bronze accents

• Navy, burgundy, dark green, or charcoal for text and borders

• Soft blue or grey for subtle backgrounds

Use High-Quality Photos

The quality of the photos will make or break the programme. Ask the family for the best available photographs. If old photos are low resolution, they can sometimes be enhanced using photo editing apps, but avoid stretching or distorting images.

Keep the Typography Clean

Use no more than two or three fonts throughout the programme. A serif font (like Times New Roman or Georgia) for body text and a complementary decorative font for headings and the deceased's name works well. Avoid using all-capitals for large blocks of text; it is harder to read.

Leave White Space

A common mistake is cramming too much content onto each page. White space (empty space around text and images) makes the programme look professional and easier to read. Do not be afraid of blank margins.

The Production Process

Step 1: Gather All Content

Before engaging a designer, collect everything you need:

• Finalised obituary (proofread and approved by the family)

• All tributes (set a deadline and enforce it; late tributes delay everything)

• All photographs (high resolution, properly labelled)

• Order of service (confirmed with the church/mosque/MC)

• Schedule of events (confirmed dates, times, venues)

• Family member list (triple-checked for completeness and correct spelling)

Step 2: Engage a Designer

You can use a professional graphic designer or a printing house that offers design services. In Lagos, Abuja, and other major cities, there are designers who specialise in funeral programmes. Expect to pay:

• Budget designer: ₦30,000 to ₦60,000

• Mid-range designer: ₦60,000 to ₦100,000

• Premium designer: ₦100,000 to ₦200,000

Ask to see samples of their previous work before committing.

Step 3: Review and Proofread

This step is critical. Errors in a burial programme are embarrassing and permanent. Check for:

• Correct spelling of every name (especially family names and titles)

• Correct dates (birth, death, events)

• Correct venues and times

• Consistent use of titles (Chief, Alhaji, Dr., Engr., etc.)

• Photo placement (correct person labelled correctly)

• No missing tributes or family members

Have at least two family members proofread the final draft before it goes to print.

Step 4: Print

Printing costs depend on quantity, paper quality, and finishing. Typical ranges:

• 200 copies, standard quality (A5): ₦100,000 to ₦250,000

• 300 copies, good quality with gloss finish: ₦200,000 to ₦500,000

• 500 copies, premium quality (thick paper, laminated cover): ₦400,000 to ₦1,000,000

Allow 5 to 10 working days for standard printing, longer during busy funeral seasons.

For a full breakdown of how programme costs fit into the overall funeral budget, see How Much Does a Funeral Cost in Nigeria?.

Sample Burial Programme Layout

Here is a page-by-page layout for a standard 20-page A5 programme:

Digital Alternatives

In 2026, many families complement their printed programme with a digital version:

• PDF version for WhatsApp. A PDF of the programme can be shared on WhatsApp groups, reaching family and friends who may not attend the funeral. See How to Share a Memorial on WhatsApp for tips on effective sharing.

• Online memorial page. For a more permanent digital presence, CelebrateThem lets you create a memorial page with photos, tributes, and a shareable link. Unlike a PDF that sits in a chat archive, an online memorial remains accessible indefinitely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Starting too late. Begin gathering content as soon as the burial date is set. Late tributes and last-minute changes are the main causes of delays and errors.

• Not proofreading enough. One typo in a name can cause family upset. Proofread three times, using different people each time.

• Printing too few copies. Always print 10 to 20 per cent more than your estimated guest count. You will always need more than you think.

• Ignoring the digital option. A PDF or online memorial ensures that diaspora family and friends who cannot attend still receive the programme.

• Overcomplicating the design. Simplicity is elegance. A clean, well-organised programme with good photos will always look better than a cluttered one with excessive decorative borders and clip art.

A Lasting Document

A well-designed burial programme is more than a guide to the funeral. It is the document your family will keep for decades. It is what your grandchildren will pull out of a drawer years from now to learn about the person who came before them. Take the time to get it right, because what you are creating is not just a booklet. It is a legacy.