Do I need an order of service? What would it need to include?

What is the correct funeral etiquette?

You can go see the clergyman who will take care of the service, and arrange all this with them. He/she is there to give you guidance when you need it most. If you want the gathering to be structured, you might want to have an order of service. If you just want a “gathering”, then you shouldn’t need it. Since you’re planning on having it at a church, I would do an order of service. You may want to get a large picture of your loved one and have it placed where people can see it as they enter the sanctuary of the church. You may want to have one or two scripture readings, maybe a song and have people on program to do remarks. Remarks are nice because it gives most people an opportunity to share wonderful, sometimes humorous memories of their loved one. Also, be sure to let each speaker know that they are limited to 2 minutes each so that you’re not there all night listening to a long winded speaker.