What the sign is for
The welcome sign stands at the entrance, or beside the guest book, and does its work in the few seconds it takes to walk past: it tells arriving guests they are in the right place, whose life is being honored, and — by how it is set — something of the tone the day will take. It is usually the first thing anyone reads, which is why it deserves a little care.
A welcome sign carries very few words, and that is its strength. Everything on this page is about choosing those few words well.
What goes on it
- A heading line — a short phrase above the name that names the occasion. The next section offers several to choose from.
- The name — set largest of all, in the form people actually knew.
- The dates — the years alone are enough; full dates are a choice, not a requirement.
- A photograph, if you would like one — a favorite of the family, not necessarily the most formal.
- One short line near the bottom, if you wish — a welcome, a thank-you, or a gentle instruction such as where to sign the guest book.
A sign is read from a few steps away, in passing. If a line can be removed without anything being lost, remove the line — the name should always hold the most weight.
Heading lines to choose from
Any of these sits comfortably above a name. Choose the one that matches how the day itself will feel:
- In Loving Memory — the most familiar, and right for most services.
- Celebrating the Life of — warm and forward-looking; a natural fit for a celebration of life.
- In Remembrance of — a little more formal and quiet.
- Welcome — simplest of all, with the name set beneath it; often right for a reception or gathering after the service.
- Forever in Our Hearts — tender, and best when it matches wording the family is using elsewhere.
Getting the name right
Nothing on the sign matters more than the name, and there are three decisions inside it:
- Use the name people called them. If everyone knew her as Peggy, the sign can say so — a nickname sits in quotation marks between the first and last name: Margaret "Peggy" Hale.
- Middle names and initials — one question settles it: would they have used it themselves?
- Check it letter by letter. Spellings, accents, and dates should be confirmed against a document rather than memory, and by a second person. Fresh eyes catch what tired ones cannot.
Words you can borrow
If you would like a line near the bottom of the sign, these are yours to use or change:
"Welcome — thank you for being here with us today."
"Thank you for celebrating her life with us."
"Please sign the guest book and join us inside."
The practical part
- Size — 18 × 24 inches is the common choice and reads clearly from a few steps away. A large venue entrance can carry 24 × 36; a tabletop sign beside the guest book is usually 8 × 10 or 11 × 14.
- Display — an easel suits the larger sizes; a simple frame suits the table. Print shops can mount a poster on foam board so it stands firm.
- Printing — most local print shops turn a poster around the same day. Choose a matte finish; gloss catches the light and hides the photograph.
- Placement — at the doors guests enter by, or beside the guest book, facing the direction people arrive from.
- Match the program — when the sign and the order of service share one design, the whole day feels considered. If you are planning the program as well, our guide to planning an order of service continues from here.
When you are ready
Solace Paper makes welcome signs — templates you can edit yourself, and signs we prepare for you, checked letter by letter against exactly what you send. The collection opens soon at our Etsy shop.