One of the most beautiful touches you can add to a funeral program is a softly blended cover photo — where the image gently fades into the background rather than sitting as a hard-edged rectangle. The good news? It's completely free and takes just a few minutes in Canva using a built-in app called Image Blender.
Here's exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Open the Apps Panel in Canva
With your Canva template open, look to the left side panel and click the icon that says Apps (it looks like a grid of squares with a + sign). This opens Canva's app marketplace.
Don't see an Apps icon in the side panel? Canva occasionally reorganizes its menu — look for "Apps" or "More" near the bottom of the left-hand panel, or use the search bar at the top of Canva and type "Image Blender" directly.
Step 2: Search for Image Blender
In the search box, type Image Blender. It will be the first result — look for the purple icon with a partial purple circle and pink accent. Click to open it. This app is free to use.
Step 3: Choose Your Blend Style
Once the Image Blender app is open, you'll see three tool options: Linear, Radial, and Brush.
- Radial — creates a circular fade radiating outward. Works beautifully for portrait (upright) photos where the person is centered.
- Linear — fades in a straight line from one edge. Better suited to landscape (horizontal) photos, or when you want the fade to happen along just one side of the image, like the bottom or a corner.
- Brush — lets you manually paint the fade wherever you want. Best for photos where you need more control, such as fading out a busy background while keeping the person fully sharp.
For most portrait cover photos, Radial is the easiest starting point — the rest of this guide walks through that option.
Step 4: Position the Blend Circle
A circle with a line through it will appear over your image. Center it over your photo and drag the outer edge outward to expand the fade area. Important: do not drag it past the edges of your image or the blend won't look right.
Step 5: Adjust the Strength
Use the Strength slider to control how much the image fades:
- Higher strength = less transparency (more of the photo shows)
- Lower strength = more transparency (softer, more faded effect)
A strength around 50 is a great starting point — adjust to taste based on your photo and background color.
Step 6: Save and Apply
When you're happy with the blend, look for a Save, Apply, or Done button — the exact label may vary depending on your version of Canva. Click it and your image is now blended into the background — soft, elegant, and ready for print.
💡 Tip: If the result doesn't look quite right, try switching to a different blend option first, then switch back to Radial and try again. Sometimes a quick reset makes all the difference.
Still Need Help?
If your photo isn't blending the way you'd like, reach out — we answer every message personally and we're happy to walk you through it. Every family deserves a cover that feels as meaningful as the person it honors.
Looking for a template to get started? Browse our Floral Funeral Programs or Minimalist & Modern designs. And if you haven't already, check out our guide on Understanding Your Funeral Program Layout.