This resource guide will help you create the perfect program for your loved one. You want to make sure that you provide accurate and thorough information so any questions you may have should be answered in this document. Should you have additional questions, please feel free to give us a call.
Below is a guide to help you select the right size obituary.
Basic: Small Size: 4pg - up to 5 photos and 1 poem | 8pg - up to 20 photos and 5 poems.
Medium Size: 4pg - up to 5 photos and 1 poem | 8pg - up to 30 photos and 8 poems.
Large Size: 4pg - up to 10 photos and 1 poem | 8pg - up to 4010photos and 10 poems.
Trifolds: 8.5 x 14 - up to 8 photos and 2 poems | 8 x 16 - up to 12 photos and 3 poems
10 x 13 - up to 15 photos and 3 poems | 11 x 17 - up to 20 photos and 5 poems
Step 1: Determine What Size Obituary You Need!
SELECTING YOUR OBITUARY SIZE
The size of your obituary is usually determined by the amount of information you have and your budget. Many people want a magazine style until they are informed of the cost of having an obituary that size. The chart above provides you with information on how to choose your obituary size. Please know that the more information you have the larger your obituary will be and the more it will cost. If you are unsure about what size you should select, we can help figure out whats the best option for you, based on the amount of information you have and your budget.
PHOTOS AND PHOTO QUALITY
As stated before, you want to make sure the photo you provide for the cover is CLEAR. We prefer to use professional photos for the cover, however, if you don’t have one, a higher quality resolution photo is the next best option. Keep in mind, the photos you provide for the photo collage page do not have to be crisp and clear like the cover photo, as they will be shrunk down to fit within the program that you have selected. If you look at the obituary size chart above we have provided suggestions for you based on the size obituary you have selected. These numbers are not etched in stone and can sometimes flucuate based on other information provided for the program. However these numbers are the maximum we can provide without losing the quality of the program. We will inform you if the information you provided is enough or not. So please take into consideration what size program you want based on the amount of information you have. During the proofing phase, we will provide a one time swap of photos if needed. Please note we won’t add any additional photos, we will only replace photos. Any additonal swaps will be an additonal charge.
POEMS & SCRIPTURES
Poems should be labled with the person’s name who it is from. You can usually find a poem for death of loved ones on google. Should you find one on google, please email the image along with the persons name associated with that poem. If that information is not included initially, you will have time during the proofing process to add it. Scriptures are usually included on the page with the order of service or at the bottom of the obituary page. These are not mandatory however, if you wish to include it please email the book, chapter and verses (number only) and we can pull the information from google. Please note we use the King James Version of scriptures. If you would like to use a different version, please indicate that when submitting. Once a final approval has been made, no more changes will be accepted.
SUBMITTING YOUR INFORMATION
Once you have composed all of the information for your program and you are ready to submit, go to the obituary order form page and submit all of your information, including photos. Or you can just click here to get started.
What The Sizes Really Are
Basic: Small Size: 8.5 x 11 (4pg or 8pg) Medium Size: 8.5 x 14 (4pg or 8pg)
Large Size: 10 x 13 (4pg or 8pg) X-Large Size: 11 x 17 (4pg or 8pg)
Trifolds: 8.5 x 14 - Small | 8.5 x 16 - Medium | 10 x 18 - Large | 11 x 17 - X-Large
Step 2: Constructing Your Obituary
DESIGNING THE COVER
Your cover page should include all the pertinent information about your loved one, including their full name, their birth and death date, date, time and location of service and the officiating minister, if you have one. This page should also include the clearest photo of your loved one. You can include multiple pics if you so choose, but the main pic should be one that shows a full face view of your loved one that is clear. We often recommend a professional photo, however if you don’t have one, please be sure that the photo you select is clear. If you are unable to find one please select a photo of your choosing and we will use our expertise to ensure it highlights your loved one perfectly. Please note: we cannot guarantee the clarity or color quality of any photo as viewing the document on a computer, tablet or phone may appear slightly different when it is printed.
WRITING THE OBITUARY
The obituary is the most important part of the program because it hightlights the life and legacy of your loved one. Please make sure you include birth information and location (city and state), parents names, schooling, careers/work history, hobbies, accomplishments, favorite past times and anything you feel that would best describe the life they lived. You want to also include those they left behind to cherish. In this section you can choose to include only certain family members and list other as a host of relatives, family and friends or you can choose to include all close family members. However, please note the size of the obituary you select will determine how much information you should include. If the information becomes a bit long, we may ask you to shorten it so that we can ensure it all fits. You may also want to include any family members that may have preceded your loved one in death. These individuals should not be included in the leaves to cherish section but in their own section. Depending on the size of the obituary, photos may be included on this page. Please see pg. 7 for more information.
CREATING THE ORDER OF SERVICE
The order of service is pretty standard for most programs, however some clergy or funeral homes may have their own order of service because it helps to keep things flowing. Please consult with your clergy or funeral home on this information. Please remember to include all names of those individuals who will be a part of the program. If you don’t have that information it’s best to leave it blank and it can be determined the day of the service. It is important to note that the officiating minister and the minister of the church (location of service if it is at a church) may not be the same person. So please make sure you get clarification before submitting that information. A sample order of service has been provided in this document as a guide. Feel free to use it as your blueprint or actual order of service should you need to. Depending on size of obituary, photos or poems may be included on this page. Please see pg. 7 for more information.
FILLING IN THE BACK PAGE
The back page is primairly where the pallbearers, funeral home, acknowledgement, cemetery and repast information goes.
When listing pallbearers you should have a minimum of six (6) but no more than eight (8). You can also list honorary pallbearers. These are individuals who may not be able to carry the casket but would have liked to if they could. They could also be fill-in’s if one of the main pallbearers doesn’t show. You don’t have to list many honorary pallbearers. This number should not exceed six(6).
Flower Bearers usually are listed as friends and family, as the funeral home will usually ask for ladies in the audience to assist. The interment (cemetery) should also be listed here so that people will know where to find your loved one if they want to come visit.
Acknowledgement is just a thank you to your family and friends for their generosity during this most difficult time.
Repast information is so people will know where to go after the service. You can choose to list this informtion or not, especially if the repast is for close family and friends and only a select number of people.
If your loved one is getting creamated the only information this page will need is funeral home and acknowledgment.
