A Helpful Guide from Archway Funeral Service, Derbyshire

When arranging a funeral, one of the details that often holds deep personal meaning is the Order of Service. This small booklet acts as both a guide for guests and a keepsake to treasure long after the day itself. At Archway Funeral Service, we help families across Derbyshire, Crich, Alfreton, and surrounding areas create beautifully designed and meaningful Orders of Service that truly reflect the person being remembered.

What Is an Order of Service?

An Order of Service is a printed booklet given to those attending the funeral. It outlines the structure of the ceremony — including hymns, readings, music, and any special tributes — allowing mourners to follow along and participate. More than that, it serves as a personal memento, a tangible way to honour a loved one’s life and legacy.

What to Include in an Order of Service

While every funeral is unique, most Orders of Service follow a similar structure. Here’s what you might include:

1. Front Cover

The cover usually features:

• The full name of your loved one

• Dates of birth and passing

• A favourite photograph

• The date, time, and location of the funeral service

Some families also choose to include a meaningful quote, prayer, or line of poetry that reflects their loved one’s personality or beliefs.

2. Welcome and Introduction

This section may include a short welcome or opening words from the officiant or celebrant, setting the tone for the service.

3. Order of Events

Here you’ll outline the sequence of the service. For example:

If the funeral is religious, you might also include prayers or scripture readings. For non-religious or celebration-of-life services, this might instead include personal reflections, favourite songs, or stories.

4. Words, Readings, or Lyrics

Including the full text of hymns, songs, or readings allows everyone to take part, especially if they’re unfamiliar with them.

5. Photographs and Memories

Adding a few photos — perhaps from different stages of your loved one’s life — can make the Order of Service even more personal. Some families also include a short biography, timeline, or “life story” section.

6. Thank You and Acknowledgements

A short message from the family is often included near the end. This can thank those who have attended, sent flowers, or offered support. You might also wish to mention any preferred charities for donations in memory of your loved one.

7. Back Cover

The back page can be a place for:

• A favourite quote, prayer, or blessing

• Details of the wake or gathering after the service

• Contact details for donations or correspondence

Personal Touches That Make a Difference

Every Order of Service should reflect the individuality of the person being honoured. Whether that means including song lyrics from their favourite artist, a poem written by a family member, or even a touch of humour, the team at Archway Funeral Service can help you design something unique and heartfelt.

📍 Archway Funeral Service – Serving families across Derbyshire

If you are looking to arrange a Derbyshire funeral in Ripley, Heanor, Belper, Crich or the surrounding areas of Derbyshire, please do not hesitate to contact Archway Funeral Service.

Order of the Golden Rule Partners With My Grief Angels to Provide Enhanced Grief Support

INDIANAPOLIS (March 11, 2025) – The Order of the Golden Rule (OGR), the premier association of independently owned and operated funeral homes, is proud to announce a new partnership with My Grief Angels, a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, peer-led grief support resources. This collaboration underscores OGR’s commitment to ensuring that families receive compassionate and accessible grief support beyond funeral services.

Through this partnership, OGR and My Grief Angels will offer families access to virtual grief support groups, educational resources, and a supportive community where individuals can connect with others experiencing similar loss. My Grief Angels’ innovative, peer-led approach aligns with OGR’s mission to uphold the highest standard of care for grieving families.

“We are honored to partner with My Grief Angels to provide essential grief support to families in need,” said Wendy King, CAE, CVA, Executive Director of OGR. “Funeral professionals serve families at one of the most difficult times in their lives, and through this collaboration, we can ensure they continue to have the support they need long after the funeral service.”

Jamie Wieting, OGR Board Chair, emphasized the importance of accessible grief support: “Grief does not have a timeline, and no one should have to navigate it alone. By working with My Grief Angels, we are expanding the resources available to the families we serve, reinforcing OGR’s dedication to compassionate care.”

The partnership will provide OGR members with tools to connect families to My Grief Angels’ services, ensuring a seamless transition from funeral care to ongoing support. By leveraging digital platforms and peer-led programs, this initiative will help bridge the gap between loss and healing in an inclusive and accessible way. Additionally, OGR member families will have access to a 24/7 online chat feature and a variety of Spanish language resources.  

“Together, My Grief Angels and OGR are enhancing the way families receive support in their time of grief—combining compassionate funeral care with direct access to in-depth online grief support resources; including the largest offering of free multilingual online courses on grief thru the UGrief.com global initiative,” says J.D. Failde, Executive Director of My Grief Angels.

All of the programs’ tools will be available free to OGR members and the families they serve. 

For more information on OGR’s grief support initiatives or how to access these resources, visit OGR.org/coping-with-grief.

About the International Order of the Golden Rule

The International Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) is an association of independently owned and operated funeral homes dedicated to ethical service to all. Founded in 1928, it is our mission to make independent funeral homes exceptional. We do this by building and supporting member interaction, information exchange and professional business development through a wide range of programs, services and resources. For more information, visit www.ogr.org.

About My Grief Angels

My Grief Angels is a nonprofit organization that provides free, peer-led grief support resources online and through mobile applications. Its mission is to empower individuals to find support and healing by connecting with others who have experienced similar losses.

Former Order of Golden Rule Membership Director Joins Rapidly Growing Private Funeral Service Operators

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA — Pinnacle Funeral Service and Rollings Funeral Service are proud to announce that Nancy Weil has joined the team as Director of Community Outreach. With over 18 years of experience in funeral service and a nationally recognized background in grief support and community engagement, Nancy brings a unique skill set that will enhance the organizations’ mission to support families in meaningful ways.

Nancy’s career includes serving as the Membership Director for the Order of the Golden Rule (OGR) for the past six years, where she worked closely with funeral homes across the country to promote excellence in service. She is a Certified Grief Management Specialist, Grief Services Provider, and Funeral Celebrant, facilitating virtual grief support groups and providing training to help funeral professionals better serve their communities.

“Adding Nancy to our team reinforces our commitment to the communities we serve,” said Tony Kumming, President of Pinnacle and Rollings Funeral Service. “We are dedicated to supporting families not only through exceptional funeral care but also by offering innovative programs and outreach that address their emotional and practical needs. Nancy’s expertise and passion for helping others perfectly align with our mission, and we are thrilled to have her on board.”

Rollings and Pinnacle Funeral Service groups partnered early last year so they could both provide better support for their locations and provide more opportunities for their team members.

Nancy is also a Certified Laughter Leader, published author, and accomplished speaker who has presented at leading industry conferences, including the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association (ICCFA), and multiple state associations. Her work has been featured in Funeral Home & Cemetery News for 15 years through her column, Random Musings.

A graduate of Empire State College with a bachelor’s degree in Business, Management, and Economics, Nancy has previously served as Community Outreach & Marketing Director, as well as a Preneed Salesperson for cemeteries in Buffalo, NY, and Veterans Funeral Care in Clearwater, FL. Through her company, The Laugh Academy, she has traveled nationwide teaching professionals how to “stress less and laugh more.”

“Pinnacle Funeral Service and Rollings Funeral Service have always stood out for their dedication to families and the communities they serve,” said Nancy Weil. “I am excited to contribute to their mission and to create programs that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.”

About Pinnacle Funeral Service and Rollings Funeral Service:
Pinnacle Funeral Service and Rollings Funeral Service specialize in funeral home management, offering funeral home owners an alternative to selling to large corporations by  ensuring their locations maintain the highest standards of care and service for families in need. Together, Pinnacle and Rollings Funeral Service focus on community engagement, compassionate care, and providing meaningful support to the families they serve.

What is an Order of Service?

So, exactly what is the order of service for a funeral? The funeral order of service is also sometimes referred to as a memorial folder, funeral program, funeral booklet, or funeral order of service booklet.

No matter what you call it, it’s all pretty much the same thing: the funeral service outline highlighting what happens during the funeral service itself, typically printed on a flyer, card, or folded brochure.

If you create and print your own funeral order of service, this will not only allow you to personalize the service, but it will also save you money on the final expenses. (Especially if you use one of our free or inexpensive templates.

What elements should you include? A photograph of the deceased, date of birth and death, prayers, eulogies, a musical selection, open mic, tributes, slideshows… the options are endless. When it gets down to it, it’s simply a matter of personal preference, and you can include as much information, or as little, as you’d like. That said, below I have put together some typical order of service funeral examples, showcasing numerous types of services along with helpful and printable templates.