A prayer card is small, usually just 4.25 x 2.5 inches, but it carries a lot: a name, a photo, a verse, and a few words guests will keep long after the service. Because there's so little space, getting the wording right matters. Here's a look at what typically goes on the front and back, with real examples for each part.
What Goes on the Front
The front of a prayer card usually centers on a photo, with a short title above or below it:
- "In Loving Memory of"
- "Forever in Our Hearts"
- "Celebrating the Life of"
- "Gone but Never Forgotten"
Beneath the title, include the full name and the birth and passing dates:
Margaret Anne Wilson March 3, 1948 – September 10, 2026
Keep the front simple. With a photo taking up most of the space, there usually isn't room for more than a title, name, and dates.
What Goes on the Back
The back of the card is where most of the wording lives. A typical layout includes:
- A verse or prayer. This is usually the largest block of text, chosen to reflect the person's faith or outlook. Our guide to meaningful Bible verses for a funeral and our piece on biblical quotes for memorial prayer cards both cover popular choices if you're not sure where to start.
- A short closing line, such as "Rest in peace" or a favorite saying.
- Service details, if you'd like to include them: the date, location, and officiant. Some families leave this off if the card is being kept as a longer term keepsake rather than a service program.
Verse and Wording Examples
A few examples of how the back might read, depending on tone:
Traditional and faith based: "The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures." Psalm 23:1-2
Simple and comforting: "Those we love don't go away, they walk beside us every day."
Non-denominational: "Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep."
Whichever you choose, keep it short enough to read comfortably on a card this size. A single verse or a few lines is usually enough, longer passages can feel cramped once the photo and title are in place.
Mid-article image: Open generated image (generated in Canva, media ID MAHWqaDyri8) Alt text: Sorting through printed photographs to choose one for a memorial prayer card.
Personalizing the Wording
A line that reflects who your loved one was can make the card feel distinctly theirs, alongside or instead of a verse:
- A favorite saying they were known for
- A line from a hymn, poem, or song that meant something to them
- A short note from the family, such as "Thank you for the memories we'll always treasure"
These personal touches are often what guests remember holding onto.
A Few Real Prayer Card Examples
Product example 1 
Classic Funeral Prayer Card — a simple design with a dashed line border, editable front and back layouts, prints 4 cards per sheet.
View Classic Funeral Prayer Card Template →
Product example 2 
Purple Bouquet Funeral Prayer Card — a soft floral design, prints 4 cards per sheet on US Letter or A4 paper.
View Purple Bouquet Funeral Prayer Card Template →
Product example 3 
Green Leaf Funeral Prayer Card — a green leaves design with a gold border, prints 4 cards per sheet.
View Green Leaf Funeral Prayer Card Template →
Frequently Asked Questions
How much text can actually fit on a prayer card?
Not much. At 4.25 x 2.5 inches, most cards comfortably fit a title, name, and dates on the front, and a short verse plus a closing line on the back. If you're choosing between a longer passage and a shorter one, the shorter one will usually look better once it's printed.
Do I need to include a verse or prayer?
No. Some families prefer a simple quote, a personal message, or just the name and dates. The verse is traditional but not required.
Can I edit the wording myself?
Yes. Our prayer card templates are Microsoft Word files with fully editable front and back layouts, so you can change the title, verse, and any other text to suit your family.
How do I print prayer cards at home?
Our templates are formatted to print 4 cards per sheet on standard US Letter or A4 paper, then cut apart. If you'd rather not cut them yourself, a local print shop can usually do this quickly, or you can use Prints of Love for professional printing.
Related reading: Top 10 Funeral Bible Verses · Biblical Quotes for Memorial Prayer Cards · Choosing the Right Paper for Funeral Prayer Cards
