Funeral Flowers, Made and Delivered by Local Florists

A tribute for the top of the coffin

A coffin spray, sometimes called a casket spray, is usually chosen by the closest family. It is double ended: the flowers reach towards both ends and rest along the lid during the service. Ours are about 3ft long in the Standard size and come in white, red and white, blue and white, purple and white, and a deep red rose design with open lily heads and buds. The florist delivers the spray to the funeral director, who sets it in place before the service begins.

Sprays, sheaves and posies

A funeral spray or single-ended spray, is a teardrop of flowers on a hidden base that can rest on the lid, stand beside it or lie at the graveside. It suits close relatives who want something smaller than a casket spray, or a group of friends sending one tribute together.

A funeral sheaf is a flat-backed bunch of flowers and foliage tied with ribbon, with the stems left showing. Many families lay it at the graveside afterwards. Our sheaves range from white roses and lilies with eucalyptus to sunny yellow, blue and white, and a rich deep red.

Funeral posies are small and round, made on a posy pad. A posy is a gentle choice from a grandchild, a colleague or a neighbour, and it sits well beside a larger floral tribute.

Wreaths, a circle of remembrance

A funeral wreath is a ring of fresh flowers, a shape that has long been used to symbolise eternal life. Wreaths are displayed flat at the funeral and are often sent by the wider family, neighbours or a workplace. Our wreaths include all-white roses and carnations, red and white with roses and carnations alternating, soft pink and lilac, and designs on a ring of glossy laurel and moss with a cluster of lilies and roses in white.

Flowers for the family at home

Not every gesture belongs at the service, and a bereavement goes on long after it. Sympathy flowers are sent to the family's home, often in the days or weeks after the loss, when the house has gone quiet and the cards have stopped arriving. Choose a hand-tied sympathy bouquet, an arrangement in its own container, a wicker basket the family can keep, or a sympathy plant such as a white orchid, which keeps flowering long after cut flowers have faded. If the family has a cat, it is a kinder choice than a lily, as lilies are toxic to cats.

Ways to personalise the flowers

The best funeral flower ideas usually start with the loved one you are remembering. For a unique funeral tribute, think about a favourite flower, a colour they loved to wear, or the summer flowers that filled their garden. Red roses speak of love, white lilies and a white rose feel calm and traditional, and yellow brings a little warmth. We have collections chosen for mum, dad, nan and grandad, and colour collections in white, blue and white, red and white and purple.

Every funeral tribute comes with a card for your personal message. It is a personal touch, and those few lines are often what a grieving family remembers most. If you are stuck for words, our guide on what to write on funeral flowers may help. We don't make floral letters, hearts, crosses or pillow tributes; we make fresh flowers in the traditional shapes above.

How delivery works

Each order is made by a florist near the funeral and delivered Monday to Saturday, from tomorrow onwards. We don't deliver on Sundays or bank holidays, or to AB10 postcodes. UK delivery is one charge of £12.49 per order to one address, added at checkout. Choose a delivery date before the day of the funeral and send the flowers to the funeral director unless the family has asked otherwise. Flowers are seasonal, so if a particular bloom is not available, the florist may use one of the same colour and style, of equal or greater value. Read more on our delivery page.

Questions about funeral flowers

What is the difference between funeral flowers and sympathy flowers?

Funeral flowers are tributes for the service itself, such as a casket spray, a wreath or a posy, and they usually go to the funeral director. Flowers for the family are bouquets, floral arrangements and plants sent to their home to show you are thinking of them.

Who usually sends the coffin spray?

It is normally chosen by the immediate family, such as a partner or the children. Other relatives and friends tend to send a spray, a wreath or a smaller tribute.

Where should funeral flowers be delivered?

Most tributes go to the funeral director, who takes them to the service. If the family has asked for flowers at the church or at home, send them there instead. A bouquet or plant for the family is best sent to their home.

When should I order funeral flowers?

As soon as you know the date of the funeral. We deliver from tomorrow onwards, Monday to Saturday, so choose a day before the service. Ordering a few days ahead takes one task off your mind while you are making funeral arrangements.

Which flowers are most suitable for a funeral?

Roses and lilies are the most common flowers for a funeral, followed by the carnation, the chrysanthemum and lisianthus, because they hold well and come in soft, calm colours. Lilies also bring a gentle scent. There is no wrong choice, though: a flower that meant something to the person is always appropriate.