Memorial Print in Ireland: A Guide to Cards, Bookmarks, and Funeral Stationery

When a family is organising a funeral or memorial service, print is one of the practical tasks that needs to be handled quickly and with care. Memorial cards, bookmarks, order of service booklets, and acknowledgement cards are all functional items, but they're also keepsakes. The people who receive them keep them for years. The quality of the print and the thoughtfulness of the design matter.

Print Ready works with families, funeral directors, and parish organisations across Dublin and wider Ireland on memorial stationery.

Memorial Cards

A memorial card is the most frequently requested funeral print product. Traditionally credit-card sized, it carries a photograph of the deceased, their name, dates, and a short prayer, verse, or personal message. Cards are typically distributed at the funeral and kept by those who attend as a lasting reminder.

The quality of the photograph used matters significantly. Where possible, a high-resolution image taken in good lighting will produce a better result than a compressed phone photograph. Print Ready's design team can advise on image quality before print and adjust brightness and contrast where needed.

Stock choice affects the finish. A matte laminate gives a soft, respectful feel. Gloss can enhance the sharpness of a photograph. Both are appropriate, and the choice is personal. Rounded corners are a popular option as they reduce fraying over time.

Memorial Bookmarks

Bookmark-format memorial cards are slightly larger than standard card size, typically 55mm x 190mm. They serve the same purpose as a memorial card but the format is more likely to be kept in daily use, inside a book or diary. Many families choose to produce both a standard card for general distribution and a bookmark version for immediate family.

Memorial wallet cards are a smaller format again, designed to sit inside a wallet and be carried daily. For close family members who want something they'll have with them, a wallet card printed on durable laminated stock is a practical and meaningful choice.

Funeral Mass Books and Order of Service

A funeral mass book or order of service booklet guides attendees through the ceremony. For a traditional Catholic funeral mass in Ireland, this typically includes the order of the mass, the readings, responsorial psalms, hymns, and any personalised elements the family has included.

The booklet is usually A5, saddle-stitched or folded, with a cover photograph and the deceased's name and dates. Eight to twelve pages covers most funeral masses. The content is usually supplied by the family or the parish, and Print Ready can format and typeset it where needed.

Order of service sheets for non-denominational memorial services or cremation services are typically a single A4 sheet folded to A5.

Acknowledgement Cards

Acknowledgement cards are sent after the funeral to thank those who sent sympathy cards, flowers, donations, or attended from a distance. They are traditionally A6 format with a short message of thanks, the family name, and sometimes a photograph or verse. Print Ready handles urgent turnaround on acknowledgement cards where needed, as families often need these within days of the funeral.

Working with a Printer at a Difficult Time

We are conscious that the families contacting us about memorial print are doing so under difficult circumstances. We handle all memorial enquiries with care and discretion, and we can advise on design, timelines, and quantities without requiring technical knowledge from the family. Where artwork needs to be created from scratch, our design team can produce something appropriate quickly.

Contact Print Ready for memorial stationery across Dublin and Ireland. We handle all enquiries with sensitivity and discretion.