White Funeral Flowers and Tributes

What white means at a funeral

Pale flowers have long stood for peace, purity and remembrance, and many families choose them because they feel respectful without saying too much. An all-white tribute suits a man or a woman, a long life or a short one, and it sits well beside flowers of any shade from others who mourn. It also lets the form of each piece show clearly, so a wreath reads as a circle and a spray as a soft teardrop. A touch of green, such as eucalyptus or glossy laurel, keeps the look fresh rather than stark.

Tributes for the service

• Coffin spray, from £65.99: a double-ended spray of roses, lilies, lisianthus and spray chrysanthemums, about 3ft long in the Standard size, made to rest on the lid.
• Funeral spray, from £54.99: a single-ended teardrop of roses, lilies, carnations and lisianthus, for the coffin, beside it or the graveside.
• Funeral sheaf, from £43.99: roses, lilies and lisianthus with eucalyptus, every stem left showing and tied with ivory ribbon.
• Funeral wreath, from £60.49: a full ring of roses, carnations, spray chrysanthemums and waxflower, displayed flat.
• Laurel wreath with a spray, from £71.49: a ring of laurel and moss with a cluster of roses, lilies and lisianthus.
• Small funeral posy, from £49.50: a round posy of roses, spray chrysanthemums and lisianthus, gentle enough for a grandchild to send.

Flowers for the family and the wake

Some pieces are meant to be kept. Our two low arrangements, one with roses, lilies, stock and hydrangea and one with roses, lilies, snapdragons and chrysanthemums, both start at £44.00 and sit in an ivory container the family can take away after the wake. A wicker basket and a hand-tied bouquet for a vase start at £43.99, and a memorial ring of roses around a pillar candle starts at £44.00. For a gift that lasts, an orchid plant or the flowering hydrangea starts at £32.99 and keeps blooming for weeks after the funeral.

Choosing white funeral flowers

The white rose is the most popular choice, for its soft form and quiet elegance. Lilies are the classic funeral flower, but they have a rich scent that some people find strong in a small room; if that worries you, our wreath of roses is made without them. A carnation or chrysanthemum is long-lasting and full, which is why they fill many a ring, and lisianthus adds a lighter, more delicate look. Orchids are entirely appropriate too, especially as a plant for the family afterwards. Choose the type of floral tribute first, then let the flowers follow: a coffin spray from the closest family, a spray or white wreath from relatives, and a sheaf or posy from friends, neighbours or colleagues. Whatever you pick, a beautiful white funeral tribute is an elegant way to honour someone on a sad occasion.

Delivery to the funeral director

A florist near the funeral makes every order and delivers it Monday to Saturday, from tomorrow onwards, on the date you choose. Most tributes go to the funeral director or funeral home, who takes them to the service; arrangements and bouquets can go to the venue or the family instead. We don't deliver on Sundays or 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 for your message, and flowers depend on seasonal availability: if one is not available, the florist will use a suitable alternative of the same colour and style, of equal or greater value.

Questions about white tributes

Why are white flowers used at funerals?

White has long been linked with peace and remembrance, and it feels respectful whatever the age or faith of the person who died. It is also easy to choose without knowing the family's wishes.

Is a white lily a funeral flower?

Yes. The white lily is one of the best-known funeral flowers in the UK. If the family has a cat, though, keep lilies out of anything sent to the house, as they are toxic to cats.

What is the difference between a spray and a wreath?

A spray is a teardrop of flowers on a hidden base, laid on or beside the coffin. A wreath is a circle of flowers, a symbol of eternal life, placed flat at the service.

How much notice do I need to order?

We can deliver from tomorrow, Monday to Saturday, but ordering as soon as you know the date of the funeral gives you the widest choice of delivery days.

Can I add a touch of colour?

These pieces keep to white, some with green leaves. If you would like a little more, see our blue and white, red and white or purple funeral flowers.