Next Day Funeral Programs: What You Need to Know

When there is a sudden tragic loss, families often find themselves in need of next day funeral programs. These urgent funeral programs are a way to give a meaningful tribute to the deceased in a very short time. This funeral program offers attendees a structured guide to the proceedings. In tragic situations, when the time is limited, same day funeral programs or express funeral programs can be a solution for respectful and personal farewell. 

In this article, we will explore the things you need to know about next day funeral planning process, to alleviate some of the stress during such emotional times. 

What Are Next Day Funeral Programs

Next day funeral programs are customized funeral service programs, designed and delivered in a very short timeframe, usually within 24 hours. They are useful for families who face sudden or unforeseen circumstances and want to organize a memorial quickly. Same day funeral programs are also in demand when there are religious practices involved that require swift burials, or just logistical challenges that need a quick turnaround.  

Typically, the order of the service, personal tributes, obituary and other vital details are included in the urgent funeral programs and they ensure that the service is still meaningful and full of respect, despite the limited time. 

Essential Considerations for Next Day Funeral Programs

Time Management

Given the tight timeframe, every minute counts, so time management is critical when preparing next day funeral programs. First of all, as quickly as possible, gather all the essential details about the service and your loved one. The usual information to be gathered are the order of service, obituary and any special messages, together with photos you want to include. 

As the deadline is very tight, prioritize the most important things and try to make decisions quickly. A tip is to select a pre-designed template and customize it, rather than starting from scratch, it can save you valuable time.  

Content Prioritization

As said above, If you want to create a meaningful next day funeral program, you should focus first on the elements that are most important. The core components of any funeral program are obituary, the order of service and key readings or hymns. You can further customize it, by adding more personal touches, for instance, photos, quotes, tributes, etc, obviously if the time allows you to do so. Do not overcrowd the content, keep it simple, as you will also save the printing time by doing this. 

Design Simplicity

As well as content, keep the design of the next day funeral program simple, yet meaningful. We recommend you opt for a clean and concise layout that will help you design an urgent funeral program that is elegant and easy to read. 

Key design elements to include are cover photo, the deceased’s name and dates. Avoid overly intricate fonts and use a clear and legible one. Simple design will help you maintain a fast turnaround time. 

Printing and Distribution

When you’ve got the design ready, it is time to print and distribute funeral programs. Search for a local print shop, that has same day funeral program printing services for a rapid turnaround. Go with the one that can produce high-quality prints within hours. 

You can also use an online printing service like HonorYou, which can deliver express funeral programs overnight or on the funeral day. 

If you will be the person who will distribute programs, plan in advance how will you get the programs to the service venue in time. 

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Next Day Funeral Program

Gathering Essential Information

In order to create next day funeral programs, first of all, gather all the necessary information. Collect the deceased’s full name, date of birth and passing. Make clear the details for the order of service, including titles of the readings or hymns, and names of the speakers.

If you are going to include an obituary or other personal messages, have drafts as soon as possible. Gather high-quality photos and make sure they are ready for printing. 

By having all this information, the process will speed up and you will stay on track to meet the tight deadline without unnecessary stress. 

Choosing a Template

We recommend you opt for a pre-designed template for creating next day funeral programs. They give you a more structured and sophisticated layout, which can be easily customized with the details about the deceased. 

These urgent funeral programs usually have all the necessary key elements, such as obituary, messages, order of service, without the need to scratch them by yourself. 

Also, many memorial service providers have online platforms where you can choose from a variety of urgent funeral program templates. 

Customization and Personalization

Once you have chosen a template for next day funeral program, start customizing it. Begin with the deceased’s photos. They can be arranged in designated areas of the template. You can also include quotes, poems, scripture verses and other meaningful elements. Sometimes people also include personal messages from family members and close friends, making the program more meaningful. 

Finalizing and Proofreading

As you finish the customization of the next day funeral program, it is time to proofread it. Review each content thoroughly, check the names, dates, and order of service. If you are using an online funeral program tool, verify if the photos and texts are correctly aligned with the template. 

Once, you are done with the initial review, ask another person to proofread it to catch any errors you might have missed. Finalize the document once everything is correct and then you can think of printing.  

Services That Offer Next Day Funeral Program Printing

There are funeral service providers that offer next day funeral program printing and delivery. It can be both online and offline – local print shops. As you are in a rush, local print shops can usually handle same-day printing requests. However, online services, such as HonorYou, offer next-day shipping options, meaning that you will get printed urgent funeral programs to your door the next day. Do the quick research and choose the service that best fits your timeline and needs.  

Online Printing Services

Online printing services can be a convenient solution for next day funeral programs. There are many platforms like HonorYou, that provide easily customizable templates, specifically designed for funeral programs and they can be ordered directly from their websites. 

Once you find the platform, finalize and submit the design, they can print and ship the programs overnight for you to receive the program by the next day. It is a very useful option if you have limited time and need high-quality funeral programs quickly. 

Make sure to select expedited shipping and double-check the delivery times, to ensure the programs arrive in time for the service.

Local Print Shops

Local print shops are also an effective option if you are searching for next day funeral programs. You can use templates of specialized funeral program providers, like HonorYou and then bring the design to a nearby print shop, where you can get same-day printing and pick up the programs in person, to avoid potential shipping delays. 

Contact the print shop as early as possible, ask them about their ability to meet your deadline. Don’t forget to ask about paper quality and finishing options, to make sure they suit your needs. 

DIY Options

If you have enough time, you can also create next day funeral programs at home. You will need a printer and readily available supplies. Search for a printable template online, you can consider Canva, HonorYou or just a simple Google search and you will find one.

Then customize the template with your loved one’s details. Have high-quality paper at hand and print the programs. 

If you don’t have a printer at home, you can just design the funeral program and use the printing service of local print shops.