Flowers for Cremation: Choosing Funeral Flowers and Floral Tributes

Are flowers appropriate at a cremation?

Yes. Cremation is now the most common choice, so most funeral flowers in the UK go to a crematorium chapel, where flowers have the same place as in a church. The coffin usually carries one main funeral tribute from the closest family, and other flowers from relatives and friends are laid out nearby. If the death notice says "family flowers only", the family would like other mourners to give to a charity instead; you can still send something to their home a little later.

The flower display after the service

At most UK crematoria, flowers are not cremated. They are lifted off before the committal, and the staff lay every flower tribute out in a display area, often a covered terrace or a flower court outside the chapel. Family and friends walk out afterwards and read the cards together. The family can take the flowers home or to a grave; otherwise the crematorium clears them after a few days. Rules differ between crematoria, so if you would like a single bloom to stay with your loved one, ask the funeral director, who will know what is allowed.

Types of funeral flower for a crematorium

Any of the usual funeral floral tributes works, though some are more practical than others:

• A coffin spray. The main tribute from the immediate family, resting on the lid during the service. Ours start from £60.49 in our coffin sprays; in America, casket sprays are the same thing.
• A funeral spray. A single-ended teardrop of flowers on a hidden base, laid among the other tributes, from £49.49 in our funeral sprays.
• A funeral wreath. A circle of flowers that has long been used to symbolise eternal life. Our wreaths start from £60.49 and lie flat on the terrace.
• A funeral sheaf. A flat-backed bunch with the stems on show, tied with a ribbon, easy to carry home and put in water. Ours start from £43.99 on our sheaves page.
• A funeral posy. A small round tribute that suits a friend or a grandchild, from £49.50 in our posies.

We make fresh flowers and floral designs on a base only, so we don't offer a funeral cross, a heart, letters or other bespoke funeral shapes. Each design comes in three sizes, Standard, Preferred and Elegant, and the larger sizes add more stems of the same flowers.

Choosing flowers for cremation services

Start with the person. A favourite flower is the best guide there is, and it helps you honour your loved one in a way that feels true to them. The choice of colour can follow the person too: soft pinks and lilacs for a mum or a nan, blue and white for a dad or a grandad, purple for dignity, or all white for quiet, traditional farewell flowers. White flowers are always appropriate if you are unsure, and our funeral flower ideas guide walks through the selection of flowers by colour and type, to help you choose flowers with confidence.

Roses, lilies and carnations

The rose stands for love, and red roses are often chosen by a husband or wife. The lily is the traditional funeral flower, and a rose and lily mix is one of the most popular combinations; white lilies feel calm and peaceful. A carnation or a chrysanthemum holds its shape for days, which helps when a funeral flower arrangement will sit outside on the terrace. A touch of foliage, such as laurel or eucalyptus, keeps a floral arrangement looking fresh.

Who sends which floral tribute

When planning a funeral, the usual pattern is simple. The partner or the children order the main tribute for the lid. Other relatives choose a wreath or a spray, and grandchildren often club together for a sheaf. Friends, neighbours and colleagues usually send something smaller, or a bouquet to the family home. There is no fixed rule. After the death of a loved one, any heartfelt tribute at a funeral is welcome, and a small one means as much as a large one at a time of grief and mourning.

Direct cremation: send sympathy flowers to the home

With a direct cremation there is no service and no mourners at the crematorium, so there is nowhere for funeral flowers to go on the day. Instead, people send condolence flowers, a bouquet or a plant to the family's home, or keep flower arrangements for a memorial gathering or an interment of ashes at the graveside later on. Our sympathy bouquets and sympathy plants are made for the home.

When and where to send the flowers

Send them to the funeral director, who brings them to the crematorium with the coffin, rather than to the crematorium itself. Choose a delivery day before the service so they arrive in good time. A local florist makes each order and delivers it by hand, Monday to Saturday, from tomorrow onwards; we don't deliver on Sundays, bank holidays or to AB10 postcodes. Delivery is one charge of £12.49 per order to one address, added at checkout. Every tribute comes with a card, and our guide on what to write on funeral flowers can help with the words.

Questions about cremation flowers

Do you take flowers to a cremation service?

You can, but it is easier to send them ahead, so they travel with the coffin and are ready for the service.

Are the flowers cremated with the coffin?

Usually not. At most UK crematoria they are taken off before the committal and displayed outside for the family to see. Each crematorium sets its own rules, so ask when you arrange the funeral.

What flowers are appropriate for a cremation?

The same as for any funeral: roses, lilies, carnations and chrysanthemums are the most common, in the colours the person loved.

Can the family keep the flowers?

Yes. After the service they can take them home or to a grave.

How much do flowers for a crematorium cost?

Our sheaves start from £43.99, sprays from £49.49 and coffin sprays from £60.49, plus £12.49 delivery per order. Our guide to funeral flower costs has the full range.