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A funeral prayer card is a small printed keepsake shared with guests during a funeral, memorial, or celebration of life. It’s a tangible way to honor someone’s memory, often personalized with a photo, their name and dates, and a meaningful prayer, verse, or quote.
These cards are also sometimes called memorial cards, funeral remembrance cards, or in memoriam cards. While the names vary, the sentiment is always the same—a gentle reminder of a life loved and remembered.
Many families place them on a memory table, hand them out at the entrance to the service, or tuck them inside the order of service booklet. They’re also commonly sent with thank-you notes to friends and family who couldn’t attend in person.
The beauty of a funeral prayer card is in its simplicity. It’s a small but powerful gesture that guests can take home, keep close, and treasure long after the service is over.
What’s Typically Included on a Memorial Card
There’s no strict rule for what a funeral prayer card or memorial card should look like—just what feels right for your family. Most cards include a few simple but meaningful elements:
A Photo of Your Loved One
A clear, smiling photo brings warmth and personality to the card. It might be a favorite recent picture or a treasured photo from years past—whatever captures them best.
Full Name
Use their full name, or the version that felt most like them.
Example: Mary Susan Anderson
Birth and Death Dates
These can be written out or formatted with numbers.
Examples:
- 10.10.52 – 09.09.32
- October 10, 1952 – September 9, 2032
A Short Prayer, Poem, or Quote
This is usually printed on the reverse side of the card. Many families choose a comforting Bible verse, a favorite poem, or a traditional prayer.
Examples:
- Psalm 23
- “Forever in our hearts”
- “Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us every day.”
Some templates also include a short tribute line like:
Beloved wife, mother, and grandmother. Your wings were ready, but our hearts were not.
Whether spiritual or simple, the words you choose don’t need to be long—just meaningful.
Why Families Choose to Include Prayer Cards
Funeral prayer cards—whether handed out at the service or sent later—offer a quiet, lasting way to remember someone special. They may be small, but they hold a lot of meaning.
Here’s why so many families choose to include them:
A Personal Keepsake for Guests
Memorial cards give friends and family something tangible to hold onto. Many people keep them tucked in a wallet, purse, or Bible—something they can revisit in quiet moments.
A Way to Share Faith or Comfort
Including a favorite prayer, poem, or scripture can bring a sense of peace. It’s also a way to reflect your loved one’s beliefs or personality in a simple but meaningful format.
Easy to Distribute or Send
Prayer cards can be placed at the entrance of the service, tucked into programs, or laid on a memory table. They’re also easy to include in thank-you notes or send to relatives who couldn’t be there in person.
A Small Detail That Leaves a Big Impact
Guests often keep funeral remembrance cards long after the service is over. It’s a quiet reminder of the love shared and the life honored—a keepsake that lasts.
Design & Printing Options
Designing a funeral prayer card doesn’t need to be complicated. Whether you want something simple and traditional or something soft and modern, there are plenty of beautiful ways to personalize a memorial card to reflect your loved one.
Design Options
All of my prayer card templates are editable and come in a variety of styles to suit different preferences:
- Floral and Nature-Inspired – Soft greenery, watercolor florals, or peaceful landscapes
- Faith-Based – Crosses, doves, and scripture-based designs
- Classic and Minimalist – Clean lines, elegant fonts, and timeless layouts
- Photo-Focused – Cards where the photo takes center stage, with minimal text
Each design includes space for a name, dates, photo, and a short tribute, poem, or prayer. You can edit the wording to suit your style and what feels meaningful for your family.
The designs in my store are all professionally printed by Zazzle and delivered to your door. The print quality is beautiful, and you don’t have to worry about formatting or trimming.
How to Use and Share Prayer Cards
There’s no one “right” way to use a funeral prayer card—just what feels most meaningful for you and your family. Here are a few gentle ways to include them:
During the Service
Many families place prayer cards on a memory table, hand them out as guests arrive, or tuck them inside the order of service booklet. They add a personal touch that guests can take home.
Alongside Thank-You Cards
Prayer cards can be mailed with thank-you notes as a thoughtful gesture, especially for those who couldn’t attend in person. It’s a way to share a moment of remembrance and let them know they were in your thoughts.
As Part of a Memory Display
Some families frame a card and place it next to candles, flowers, or photo displays. Others include them in scrapbooks or memory boxes as a keepsake for close family members.
To Carry or Keep Close
Many guests will slip the card into a wallet, Bible, or purse. It becomes something they carry with them—a quiet reminder of someone they loved.
However you choose to share them, funeral remembrance cards offer comfort in the simplest of ways.
A Gentle Final Thought
Funeral prayer cards—also known as memorial or remembrance cards—may be small, but they hold a powerful sense of connection. Whether they carry a prayer, a poem, or simply a name and a photo, these cards offer a quiet comfort that lingers long after the service ends.
They’re a simple way to honor a life, share love with those gathered, and provide a keepsake for friends and family to hold close. Whether you choose to print them at home, send them with thank-you cards, or order a professionally printed set, your card will carry meaning—and that’s what truly matters.
If you’d like to create one, my editable prayer card templates are designed to make the process gentle and easy, with space for everything that matters most.
Funeral Prayer Card FAQ
What size are funeral prayer cards?
Traditionally, funeral prayer cards measure 4.25″ x 2.5″, similar to a classic holy card size. This size has been used for many years and is especially common for Catholic services.
However, many families today are choosing a slightly smaller size—3.5″ x 2″—which is closer to a standard business card. This size fits neatly into a wallet or purse, making it a practical and portable keepsake for guests.
All of the printed funeral remembrance cards available through my Zazzle store are offered in this 3.5″ x 2″ size, so they’re easy to carry and treasure for years to come.
Do I need to include a religious prayer on the card?
Not at all. While many families choose to include a traditional prayer, others prefer a favorite quote, a short poem, or even just a line that captures their loved one’s spirit—something as simple as “Forever in our hearts” or “A life well lived.” My templates are fully editable, so you can choose wording that feels meaningful to you.
How many prayer cards should I order?
It’s a good idea to plan for at least one card per guest attending the service, plus extras to include with thank-you cards or mail to family and friends who couldn’t be there.
Can I personalize the design and wording?
Yes—all of my funeral prayer card templates are fully customizable. You can change the photo, update the name and dates, and choose the wording that feels right for your family. Whether you’re looking for something spiritual, poetic, or simple and classic, you’ll be able to make it your own with just a few clicks.