Two Pages, Two Purposes
When a family prepares a funeral or memorial service, one small printed piece often does two jobs. The front shows the person’s photograph, name and dates, with a short life summary. The inside or back gives thanks to those who came, sent flowers or helped. This template is laid out as exactly that: a left panel for the tribute and a right panel headed Acknowledgement, so the family can hand out one folded card or one flat sheet.
Layout and Size
The template is A5 landscape, 8.27 x 5.83 inches (210 x 148 mm). It splits down the middle into two A6 style panels. Both panels have a border of lavender grey five pointed stars along the top and the sides, with a thin dark line inside. The left panel shows a round photograph of a smiling man with grey hair and glasses in a pale grey shirt, with two soft lavender rings around it. Under the photograph, Mr. First Last Name is printed in a plain font, with a line for dates (00 00, 19XX to 00 00 20XX) and a short sample sentence. A wavy lavender shape fills the lower middle.
The right panel has the heading Acknowledgement in a larger size, with a small grey line below. Three blocks of sample text follow, then Thank You! in the centre, and a small line at the bottom that reads First Last Name | March 15, 2022. The font is Arimo.
What to Write in the Left Panel
- The full name, as the family uses it.
- The dates of birth and passing.
- A short summary of the person’s life: where they were born, family, work, interests.
- A favourite saying or a short verse, if the family wants one.
Keep the summary to a few lines, because the space is small. A longer biography belongs in a printed programme with several pages.
Writing the Acknowledgement
The right panel is the family’s thank you. A good acknowledgement mentions the main ways people helped without listing everyone: “The family wishes to thank everyone who attended the service, sent flowers and offered kind words. We are grateful to the nurses of Ward 4, to Father Daniel, and to the neighbours who brought food. Your support has carried us.” Sign it with the family’s name and, if you like, the date.
Folding and Printing
Print on A4 paper if you want to fold it in half after cutting down, or ask a print shop for A5 card stock. If you print the two panels on one sheet, fold along the centre line. A 200 to 250 gsm matte card stock gives a firm feel. Because the border is light, a home printer will do well. If you are printing many copies, check the margins on a test print.
Fixing the Photograph and the Name
Click the round photograph and choose Replace Image. The circle is small, so choose a close portrait. Retype the name and dates in the left panel, and add the name again at the foot of the right panel so that the card is clear when seen alone.
Notes of Care
Check every date, name and place with the family. Avoid details that the family has not approved, and be careful with the names of living relatives if privacy is a concern.
For a single panel card in A6 for a mother, see the mother obituary card. For a father, see the father obituary card. More are in condolence templates.
