When you're making a funeral program, it's easy to get tangled up in sizes. Bifold, trifold, tabloid, 11x17, graduated... and the print shop wants to know which one you need.
I remember how confusing this felt when I had a hundred other things on my mind. So here it is in plain language: what each size is, what paper it prints on, and which one is right for you.
The Quick Answer
If you just want to know what most families choose: a standard bifold, 5.5" x 8.5" when folded, printed on regular 8.5" x 11" paper. It fits the essentials, prints anywhere (including at home), and fits easily in a purse or pocket.
If you want more room for photos and larger text, choose the large bifold, 8.5" x 11" when folded, printed on 11" x 17" paper.
All Funeral Program Sizes at a Glance
| Type | Finished Size | Printed On | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Bifold | 5.5" x 8.5" | 8.5" x 11" (letter) | Most services; easy home printing |
| Large Bifold | 8.5" x 11" | 11" x 17" (tabloid) | More photos, larger text, older guests |
| Legal Bifold | 7" x 8.5" | 8.5" x 14" (legal) | A little extra width without going to 11x17 |
| Trifold | About 3.67" x 8.5" | 8.5" x 11" (letter) | Short programs; brochure style |
| Single Sheet (Flat) | 5.5" x 8.5" or 8.5" x 11" | Same size, no fold | Simple services; quick turnaround |
| Booklet (8, 12, 16 pages) | 5.5" x 8.5" or 8.5" x 11" | Multiple folded sheets, nested | Long life stories, many photos and tributes |
| Graduated (Tiered) | Varies | Several sheets cut to different lengths | A layered, keepsake-style program |
Bifold: The Most Popular Choice
A bifold is one sheet folded in half, giving you four panels: front cover, two inside pages, and a back cover. It's the classic funeral program, and the format most templates use.
Standard (5.5" x 8.5") is the go-to. It prints on regular letter paper, so you can print it at home, at Staples, or anywhere else.
Large (8.5" x 11") is the size of a regular sheet of paper once folded. It needs 11x17 paper, so most families print it at an office supply store. It's worth it if you have lots of photos or want bigger, easier-to-read text.
From experience: "11x17" confuses a lot of families. It's the size of the sheet before folding, not the size of the finished program. An 11x17 sheet folds down to a program the size of regular printer paper. When you talk to the print shop, say both: "It's an 8.5 by 11 program, printed on 11 by 17 and folded."
Trifold
A trifold is a letter-size sheet folded into thirds, like a brochure. It gives you six narrow panels. It's a good fit for a short service with a simple order of events, but there's less room for a large photo or a long obituary.
Single Sheet
A flat, unfolded card printed on one or both sides. It's the quickest to make and print, and works well for small, simple services or graveside gatherings.
Booklets: 8, 12, or 16 Pages
When there's more to say than four pages can hold, a booklet gives you room. Several sheets are printed double-sided, folded, and nested inside each other, sometimes stapled along the fold.
- Page counts always go in fours, because each folded sheet makes four pages. So it's 8, 12, or 16, never 6 or 10.
- In our templates, the pages are already arranged in printing order, so they may look out of order in Canva. That's on purpose. Ask the print shop to print them exactly as they are, without rearranging. Our guide on understanding your funeral program layout shows which pages print together on each sheet.
- Booklets can be standard or large size, just like a bifold.
For a page-by-page breakdown of what goes in a 4, 8, or 12-page program, see what to include in a funeral program.
From experience: If your obituary won't fit, go up a size or add pages rather than shrinking the font. Many of the people reading your program will be older, and small text in dim church lighting is hard to read. A bigger program is always kinder than a crowded one.
Graduated (Tiered) Programs
A graduated program is made from several sheets cut to slightly different lengths, then stacked and folded so the edge of each page peeks out below the one before it. Each visible strip can be labeled, like "Obituary," "Order of Service," and "Acknowledgments," almost like tabs.
They're beautiful, but they take more time and cost more, because each sheet has to be trimmed to a different length. Most families have them done at a print shop and should allow extra time.
Which Size Should You Choose?
- Short on time or printing at home? Standard bifold.
- Lots of photos or older guests? Large bifold.
- Long life story or many tributes? An 8 or 12-page booklet.
- Very simple service? Single sheet or trifold.
- Want something layered and special, with time to spare? Graduated.
Printing Your Program
Once you know your size, printing is simple. Our guide on how to print a funeral program covers paper, home printer settings, and exactly what to tell the print counter.
Find a Template in the Right Size
Each of our Canva-editable funeral program templates lists its size on the product page, so you'll know exactly what you're getting before you buy. If you're just getting started, our step-by-step guide on how to make a funeral program walks you through the whole process.
Not Sure Which Size? We Can Help.
With our Done-For-You Service, you choose Standard (5.5" x 8.5") or Large (8.5" x 11"), and we handle the rest. You do everything online in our Program Portal, no design skills needed:
- Pick your design and your finished size
- Choose exactly which pages go in your program, and in what order
- Fill in everything online: names, dates, obituary, order of service, and photos
- Save and finish later if you need to step away
We build your program and send you a proof to approve. Once approved, you receive a print-ready digital file sized correctly for your print shop or home printer. The template is included.
Please note: This is a digital design service only. We do not print or ship physical programs.
There's No Wrong Size
Whatever size you choose, the people holding it will see their loved one on the cover and feel cared for. That's what matters most. Pick the one that fits your time, your budget, and your story.