How Many Order of Service Booklets Do I Need for a Funeral?
Planning a funeral involves many small but important decisions. One question we’re often asked at Gaunts of Wollaston is:
“How many Order of Service booklets should I print?”
It’s a great question—and getting it right ensures that everyone attending feels included and can follow along during the service. In this post, we’ll walk you through what to consider when deciding on quantities.
Start with the Number of Attendees
The most straightforward place to begin is by estimating how many people are likely to attend the funeral. If you’ve invited guests or have a list of attendees, that’s a helpful guide. But if it’s an open invitation, try to estimate based on the size of your loved one’s family, circle of friends, and any community groups they were involved in.
General guide:
- Small service: 20–50 booklets
- Medium service: 50–100 booklets
- Larger/public service: 100+ booklets
It’s always safer to overestimate slightly, rather than run short.
Should I Print One Per Person or Per Household?
In many cases, people who attend together (e.g. couples or families) are happy to share one booklet. However, lots of attendees like to take a copy home as a keepsake, especially if it includes photos, poems, or a personal tribute.
Our advice: Aim for at least one per person, with a few extra printed for good measure.
Don’t Forget to Keep Some Spare
Even with careful planning, a few unplanned guests may arrive—or someone might ask for an extra copy to send to a family member who couldn’t attend.
You might also want to keep some for:
- Family members who couldn’t be there in person
- The celebrant or minister
- Close friends or neighbours
- A memory box or photo album
- Thank-you notes or memory cards later on
We usually recommend printing 10–20 extra copies, depending on the size of the service.
Can I Reprint More Later?
Technically yes, but reprinting tends to be more expensive than doing it all at once. Plus, it’s easier to make sure everything matches (paper, design, colour) if it’s done in one batch.
If you're not sure, chat with us—we’ll help you decide what feels right based on your service plans.
We're Here to Help
At Gaunts of Wollaston, we can assist with the full design and printing of your Order of Service booklets. Whether you want something simple and classic or a more personalised tribute, we’ll help you create something fitting—and make sure you have the right number ready for the day.
If you’re planning a funeral and need advice on any part of the process, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re always here to offer guidance with care and compassion.
