Choosing the right photo for a funeral poster is only half the job. The words you pair with it matter just as much, but most poster templates (including ours) come with a small set of built-in phrases to keep things simple. That's great for speed, but it doesn't leave much room for something that feels more personal, or that fits a particular faith, personality, or life story.
If you'd like to swap the default wording on your Canva funeral poster template for something different, here are some alternative titles and phrases you can drop straight in.
View Classic Funeral Poster Bundle (Canva Templates) →
Alternative Titles for the Front Poster
Our front poster templates use "Celebrating the Life of [Name]" or "Forever in our Hearts" by default. If you'd like a different tone, try one of these instead:
- In Loving Memory of
- In Memory of
- A Celebration of Life
- Honoring the Life of
- Remembering
Each works as a direct swap for the existing title text box, so you won't need to adjust the layout to use one. The font used in the sample design is included with the template, so you can keep that same look or swap in any available font you prefer.
View Green Leaf Funeral Poster Bundle (Canva Templates) →
Alternative Phrases for Side Posters
Side posters pair with the front poster and use short phrases like "Forever Loved" and "Never Forgotten" by default. Here are some alternatives, grouped by tone, so you can pick a pair that feels right for your loved one.
Classic and Simple
- Forever Loved
- Never Forgotten
- Always Remembered
- Forever in Our Hearts
- Loved Beyond Words
Faith-Based
- At Peace in God's Hands
- Called Home
- Gone But Never Forgotten
- In God's Garden Now
Nature Themed
- Return to the Earth
- Gone Fishing (lovely for someone who loved the outdoors)
- Bloomed and Returned to the Garden
For a Parent or Grandparent
- A Life of Love
- The Best of Us
- Forever Our Guide
View Pink Funeral Poster Bundle (Canva Templates) →
Fitting Your Chosen Phrase
Side posters are designed for a short title plus one brief line underneath, so it's best to keep your wording concise rather than fitting a full sentence. If you're not sure which phrase to use, try matching its tone to your photo: a warm, candid photo often pairs well with something simple like "Forever Loved," while a formal portrait might suit "Honoring the Life of" or a faith-based phrase.
All of our poster templates are fully editable in Canva, so updating the text is as simple as clicking the existing text box and typing over it. No design experience needed.
View Navy Blue Funeral Poster Bundle (Canva Templates) →
Printing Your Finished Posters
Once your wording is set, you can print your posters at home, at a local print shop, or through an online printing service. If you'd rather not deal with printing yourself, Prints of Love offers a convenient printing option for funeral stationery.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use these phrases on any of your poster templates?
Yes. Since the text boxes are fully editable in Canva, you can swap in any of these titles or phrases on any poster bundle, regardless of color or design.
What if I want a phrase that isn't on this list?
Feel free to write your own. The ideas above are just a starting point. The most meaningful wording is often something personal to your loved one, like a nickname, a favorite saying, or a line from a song or poem they loved.
How much text can actually fit on a side poster?
Side posters are designed for a short title and one brief line beneath it. Longer phrases may need a smaller font size or may not fit the layout as designed.
Do I need the same font as the sample design?
No. The font used in the sample design is included with the template, so you can keep that same look if you like it. But you're free to swap in any font you prefer, Canva gives you full control over text styling.
Do I need design experience to make these changes?
No. Our Canva templates are built so you can simply click into any text box and type your changes. No design skills required.
Related reading: Canva Funeral Poster Templates · Funeral Program Wording Examples · Biblical Quotes for Memorial Prayer Cards · How to Write an Obituary for a Funeral Program
