Memorial Cards

What is a memorial card?

A memorial card is a single printed card – usually 5×7 inches – given to guests at a funeral, memorial service or celebration of life, or mailed to friends and family who couldn't attend. The front typically features a photo with the person's name and dates; the back has a poem, a short message, or the order of service.

Memorial cards are a lovely alternative to a folded program when a service is short, informal or held at a graveside. They're also popular for memorials held long after a death, for anniversaries, and as keepsakes to send in the mail.

Two sizes to choose from

• 5×7 flat card – our "Flat card" format. The front is a full cover with photo, name, dates and service details; the back holds the order of service and a short poem. It fits a standard A7 envelope for mailing.
• Wallet-sized card (2.5×4.25) – the traditional prayer or holy card, included in our memorial bundle. See funeral prayer cards.

Both come with 1/8-inch bleed and crop marks so a print shop can trim them neatly.

What to put on a memorial card

Front: a heading ("In Loving Memory," "Celebrating the Life of"), a photo, the full name, the dates of birth and passing, and – if it's being handed out at a service – the service date, time and place.

Back: a short order of service, or a poem or verse, and a closing line from the family. If the card will be mailed later, you might replace the order of service with a few lines about the person and a thank-you.

Poems that suit memorial cards

Short poems work best on a card. Popular choices in our library include "Do Not Stand at My Grave and Weep," "Crossing the Bar," "An Irish Blessing" and "Death Is Nothing at All." You can also write a few lines of your own – a favorite saying or a sentence about what they meant to you can be the most moving words of all.

Printing tips

Ask for 100–130 lb cover stock (270–350 gsm) in matte or silk finish. Matte is easier to write on if guests will add notes; silk makes photos look richer. For home printing, use the home-printer PDF and the heaviest paper your printer can handle, then trim along the edges.

Designing in minutes

Open the maker, choose "Flat card – 5×7," pick a theme, and fill in the details. The live preview shows both sides as you type. Previewing is free; the print-ready card files are $4.99, or $9.99 with a matching prayer card, thank-you card, social image and obituary PDF.

For a larger program with a life story and order of service, use our funeral program template. For more wording ideas, see our In Loving Memory template page and funeral thank you cards.

Memorial cards for anniversaries and remembrance days

Memorial cards aren't only for funerals. Many families create a new card for the first anniversary of a death, for a birthday that would have been celebrated, for a memorial Mass, or for a remembrance service at a hospice or church. Because your design is saved, you can reopen it, change the service details to the new occasion, and download fresh files. A short line such as "Remembering you on your 80th birthday" or "One year without you, a lifetime of love" turns the card into a gentle way to let others know you're still thinking of them.