The quick answer
Most families hand one card to each guest, keep a stack for close family, and mail some to people who could not attend. A good rule: take your best guess at attendance and add 25 to 50 percent. If the funeral home has an estimate from the visitation or guest book, start there.
Chart: cards by service size
Our packs come in fixed sizes, so round up to the next pack:
- Family keepsakes only, or a very small private service: 16–40 cards
- Up to about 50 guests: 64–80 cards
- 50 to 100 guests: 120–152 cards
- 100 to 150 guests: 152–224 cards
- More than 150 guests: 224 cards, or 224 plus a second pack
Where the extra cards go
- Close family: children, siblings, and grandchildren often want five to ten each.
- Mailing: relatives and friends out of town, former coworkers, church members who were ill.
- Thank-you notes: many families tuck a card into each thank-you note after the service.
- Later moments: the burial or interment, the first anniversary, a memorial Mass, holidays.
- The guest book and photo display at the service itself.
Bigger packs cost less per card
Because printing setup is the same for any size, the per-card price drops quickly: 16 cards are $19.95 (about $1.25 each), 120 cards are $59.95 (about $0.50 each), and 224 cards are $84.95 (about $0.38 each). Shipping is free, so going up one pack size is usually cheaper and faster than reordering later.
Timing matters too. We print and ship Monday through Saturday; if the service is within a week, choose 2-day FedEx or UPS at checkout. See shipping options.
Design your cards
Pick a layout, add the photo and wording, and choose your pack size at checkout. You will see both sides before you order.
Start a memorial cardFrequently asked questions
How many memorial cards should I order for a funeral?
Order the number of guests you expect plus 25 to 50 percent. For about 50 guests, 64 to 80 cards; for about 100 guests, 120 to 152 cards; for 150 or more, 224 cards.
How many prayer cards do you need for a wake?
Plan on one card per guest at the wake and service combined (people usually take only one), plus extras for family and mailing. Funeral directors can often estimate attendance from similar services.
Is it better to order too many or too few memorial cards?
Too many. Families almost always find uses for extras, such as thank-you notes, anniversaries, and relatives who could not attend, and the per-card price drops with larger packs. Reordering later costs more and takes another print run.
Can I order more cards later?
Yes. Your design is saved with your order, so contact us with your order number and we can print the same card again.