Understanding Funeral Programs
This podcast episode from The Funeral Program Site explores what funeral programs are, when they are helpful, and how they can serve as both a guide and a meaningful keepsake during a memorial service. Hosted by a graphic designer turned grief counselor, this conversation offers calm, compassionate insight for families navigating funeral planning.
Audio Transcript
We’re excited to announce the launch of The Funeral Program Site Podcast, a new audio resource created to support families navigating funeral planning, memorial preparation, and the many questions that arise during loss.
This podcast was designed to offer clear, compassionate guidance without pressure or overwhelm. Each episode focuses on one topic at a time, covering funeral programs, memorial stationery, planning timelines, and thoughtful ways to honor a loved one’s life.
Listeners can tune in on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, making it easy to listen whenever and wherever it feels right. Future episodes will explore topics such as printed versus digital funeral programs, personalization options, and how to reduce stress during the planning process.
The Funeral Program Site Podcast is part of our ongoing commitment to education, clarity, and care—helping families feel informed, supported, and confident, one conversation at a time.
Episode Transcript
Thanks for joining us everyone on our very first podcast episode! We’re so excited to have you with us. Today we’re talking about a topic that often comes up during a difficult time: funeral programs.
I’m Christie, your host. My background is in graphic design, but supporting families through grief by designing countless funeral programs led me into grief counseling. I believe a well-crafted visual story can be a powerful part of the healing process.
Our guest today is Avery, a funeral director from Stonebridge Funeral Home. Together, we discuss what funeral programs are meant to do, when they are helpful, and when they may not be necessary.
At their core, funeral programs serve two purposes. First, they guide guests through the service. Second, they become a keepsake—something people can take home to remember the person being honored.
We explore how programs can reduce confusion for complex services, provide comfort for guests, and quietly support grieving families. We also talk about when it is perfectly acceptable to skip a program altogether.
The conversation expands into modern alternatives such as prayer cards, bookmarks, QR codes, digital memorial pages, and even living memorials like seed packets.
Throughout the episode, we emphasize that there is no right or wrong choice. What matters most is choosing the option that lowers stress and supports both the family and those attending.
This episode closes with a reminder that meaningful services are defined by love, remembrance, and community—not by printed materials.