Prayer cards and bookmarks are two of the most treasured keepsakes you can offer guests at a memorial service — small enough to keep in a wallet, Bible, or photo frame, but meaningful enough to be held onto for years. If you'd like to create your own, both are simple to put together in Microsoft Word, even if you've never designed anything before.
Here's a step-by-step guide to help you create either one.
Why Use a Template for a Prayer Card or Bookmark?
A few reasons this is easier — and often more affordable — than working with a print shop's design service:
- You likely already have what you need. Both prayer card and bookmark templates are built for Microsoft Word, so if you have Word installed on a laptop or desktop, you're ready to start.
- Everything is laid out to print efficiently. Templates come pre-arranged so multiple cards or bookmarks print on a single sheet — prayer cards print four to six per page depending on size, and bookmarks print four per page — so you're not wasting paper or cutting single copies one at a time.
- A Help Guide is included with every template, walking you through editing and printing, so you're not left guessing.
1. Choose Your Design
Prayer cards and bookmarks both come in a range of designs — floral, classic, seasonal, or scenic — so start by picking one that matches the tone of the service or your loved one's personality. Prayer cards are available in two sizes: a compact 3.5 x 2 inches, or a larger 4.25 x 2.5 inches with a classic dashed border. Bookmarks come in a single standard size of 2 x 7.5 inches.
Browse our Prayer Card templates →
Browse our Bookmark templates →
2. Open the Template in Word
Download your template and open it using the full desktop version of Microsoft Word on a laptop or computer. As with our other templates, these are built for the desktop app specifically, so they won't open or edit correctly on a phone, tablet, Chromebook, or Word Online.
3. Add Your Photo and Text
How you add your photo depends on which template you're using, since Funeral Templates uses two different methods across our range:
- 3.5 x 2 inch Prayer Card: Right-click the placeholder photo, select Change Picture, and choose a new photo from your computer.
- 4.25 x 2.5 inch Prayer Card and all Bookmarks: Click the green shape you'd like to edit, go to the Shape Format tab, click the small arrow next to Shape Fill, select Picture, and choose your photo.
If you're not sure which method applies to your specific template, check the Help Guide included with your download — it will show the exact steps for that design.
Once your photo is added, add your loved one's name, dates, and any wording you'd like to include. For prayer cards, the front typically holds a photo and a short, special memory, while the back is where you'd add a prayer, poem, or personalized message. For bookmarks, only the front of the template is editable — the back is a fixed decorative design, so all your personalization goes on the front side alone.
4. Personalize the Wording
Whether it's a favorite scripture, a poem, or a few lines that capture your loved one, this is the space to make the keepsake feel personal. If you're still deciding what to include, our Top 10 Funeral Bible Verses and Top 10 Memorial Funeral Poems guides are a good place to find inspiration.
5. Save and Prepare for Printing
Once you're happy with your design, save your file, then save it again as a PDF (File > Save As > PDF) before printing. This locks your layout in place so nothing shifts if the file is opened on a different computer — especially useful if you're sending it to a print shop rather than printing at home.
6. Print and Trim
Both prayer cards and bookmarks print several to a page — prayer cards print four to six per sheet depending on size, and bookmarks print four per sheet — on either US Letter or A4 paper, so you'll need to trim them apart after printing. For a more polished, professional feel, we'd recommend printing on heavy cardstock (around 80–130lb cover weight) and laminating the finished cards or bookmarks, especially if they'll be handled or kept long-term.
If you'd rather not print at home, we've partnered with Prints of Love, a 5-star rated print shop offering fast, affordable printing with free shipping within the US. Use code FTTEN for 10% off orders of $49 or more, and they'll plant a tree in your name with every order.
What Our Customers Say
"Easier than I thought and such a beautiful design!" — Alicia, on a Funeral Bookmark template
"I found the template easy to use and was pleased with the result." — Sandra Longcrier, on a Classic Funeral Prayer Card
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I edit a prayer card or bookmark on my phone or tablet? No — both templates need the full desktop version of Microsoft Word and won't open or edit correctly on phones, tablets, or Chromebooks.
Is the back of a bookmark editable? No, the back of our bookmark templates is a fixed decorative design. All personalization — photo, name, dates, and any wording — goes on the front side.
How many prayer cards or bookmarks come on one page? Prayer cards print four to six per page depending on the size you choose, and bookmarks print four per page, on either US Letter or A4 paper.
What paper should I use to print? For the best result, we'd recommend heavy cardstock (around 80–130lb cover weight), especially if you're planning to laminate the finished keepsake.
Do I need design experience to use these templates? Not at all — templates are fully pre-designed, so you're simply adding your own photo and text rather than building a layout from scratch.
Related reading: How to Make a Funeral Template in Word · How to Make a Funeral Welcome Sign in PowerPoint
