Baptist funeral program template — a homegoing celebration

The order of a homegoing service

A typical homegoing service program lists, in order: the processional, with the family and clergy entering; the opening hymn or a selection by the choir; the scripture reading, often one passage from the Old Testament and one from the New; the prayer of comfort; a musical selection or solo; reflections or remarks from family, church members and friends, frequently with a note such as "two minutes, please"; the reading of the obituary, sometimes read silently while music plays; another selection; the eulogy by the pastor; the recessional; and the interment and repast details on the back.

Every church has its own way, and the pastor or the church office will usually give the family the order to use. Enter it as they give it; the section names and the wording are yours to change. We are not a religious authority, and the outline above is only the shape families most often use.

Musical selections, reflections and the obituary reading

The program usually names the choir, soloists and musicians beside each selection, and gives the titles of the songs — the hymns and gospel songs the person loved. Reflections are listed with the names of those speaking, often grouped as "As a Mother", "As a Church Member", "As a Friend", and a line inviting others to sign the guest book instead of speaking keeps the service to time. The obituary in a homegoing program is longer than a newspaper notice: it tells of birth and upbringing, baptism and church membership, the ministries and auxiliaries served, work and marriage, the children, and the family left behind, and it is read aloud or in silence as part of the service. The what to include guide has wording for each part.

Precious memories, tributes, and thanks

The eight-page booklet leaves room for the pages families want after the obituary: a page of precious memories with a small grid of photographs, tributes or poems from children and grandchildren, a page for the pallbearers and flower bearers, and the acknowledgement — the family's thanks to the church, the pastor, the caregivers and everyone who called, cooked and prayed. A verse or a favorite scripture closes the back page, with the funeral home and interment beneath. The verse library has the passages most often chosen. If the material runs past eight pages, the twelve-page booklet takes it without retyping.