White Memorial Candle Arrangement

Flowers around a simple memorial candle

The florist places white roses, white spray roses and white waxflower in a low ring around a single ivory pillar candle, all set in an ivory container. The flowers stay low so the candle stands clear above them, and the container does the work of a candle holder, so there is nothing else to find. Unlike tea lights or votives, a pillar candle stands tall enough to be the focus of the design. It sits comfortably on a side table, a windowsill or a white table beside a photograph, and arrives ready to display.

What a white candle means in remembrance

White is the most common candle colour for remembrance. The white candle meaning is simple and familiar to people of every faith and none: peace, light in a dark time, and a life remembered with love. Many families light a candle at a celebration of life or a vigil, and some keep a remembrance candle for the anniversary of a death, or for the evenings when they miss the person most. For many, that small flame becomes a quiet candle ritual, a few minutes of candlelight to sit and remember. With white roses around it, the candle becomes a memorial setting that feels gentle rather than formal.

Memorial candle etiquette and safety

The candle can be lit or simply left as part of the design. If the family does light a candle, it must never be left lit unattended. Lit candles and fresh flowers need care together: keep burning candles away from curtains, children and pets, put the flame out before leaving the room, and keep each burn time short so the flame never burns down close to the flowers. That is the main rule at home: a short, quiet moment, then the flame blown out. Once the flowers have faded, the pillar candle can be kept as a keepsake.

Where a white memorial candle arrangement fits best

It suits the wake or the gathering after the service, where it can stand with photographs and cards. It also works as a sympathy gift for the family's home in the weeks that follow, or for a memorial held later, once the funeral planning is over. Some families keeping ashes at home set it beside the urn or keepsake as a candle memorial, a quiet focus for remembrance, or bring it to the gathering before a scattering. It is not designed to go on the coffin; for the service, see our white funeral flowers.

Sizes, prices and delivery

There are three sizes: Standard £44.00, Preferred £55.00 and Elegant £66.00. The larger sizes add more stems of the same flowers around the candle, so the design is the same, only fuller. A local florist makes the arrangement and delivers it to the funeral home, the venue for the wake or the family's address. Delivery is £12.49 per order to one address, added at checkout, Monday to Saturday from tomorrow onwards; there are no deliveries on Sundays or bank holidays, and we cannot deliver to AB10 postcodes. If a flower isn't available that week, the florist may use one of the same colour and style, of equal or greater value.

Questions about this candle arrangement

Can I add a message?

Yes. Your words go on a card with the flowers, so you can personalise the gift and send your condolence with it. Our guide on what to write on funeral flowers has ideas.

Is it suitable as a gift after the funeral?

Yes. It makes a thoughtful gift for the family's home, and many people send one in the weeks after the service or for a later memorial. For other flowers for the home, see our sympathy flowers.

Is there a colour other than white?

This design is made only in white and ivory. For soft colour, see our Soft Pastel Sympathy Flowers.