Funeral Flower Arrangements: Casket Sprays, Wreaths, Bouquets & Vases

Getting to Know Funeral Flower Arrangements

When someone close to you — a friend or relative — dies, sending flowers is widely seen as a thoughtful way to honor their memory and to comfort those gathered for the funeral. A broad selection of funeral flower arrangements has grown up around this need. You can order them from a florist online or by phone — for instance through 1800flowers or teleflora — and have them delivered to the funeral home or wherever the service takes place. Proper etiquette calls for a short message to go with the flowers, and your florist can handle that arrangement for you without any trouble.

Funeral flower arrangement displayed at a memorial service
Flowers honor the deceased and comfort mourners
Illustration of a funeral urn
Arrangements can accompany urns and caskets alike

Popular Styles of Funeral Flowers

Funeral flower arrangements are available in a wide variety of shapes and styles. The best known is the casket spray, usually made to cover roughly half of the casket and composed of assorted blooms. Since attention naturally settles on the casket, this spray tends to be the most eye-catching piece at the service. If you would like a religious symbol, such as a cross, worked into the spray, make sure it is the correct symbol for the deceased; if you are unsure, check with the funeral home before you order.

Other options you can send include wreaths, bouquets, baskets, and flower vases. Wreaths are generally set on tripods and shown around the casket. Bouquets can be placed at the casket's corners or even inside it. Vases and baskets may rest on the floor around the casket. If the surviving family prefers, any of these can be moved with ease from the service to the gravesite.

Certain florists create custom arrangements, while others offer only standard choices; this is typically stated on their website. If you have something custom in mind, it is best to speak with the florist directly so everyone clearly understands your wishes. Most people purchase funeral flowers so rarely that the process feels unfamiliar. Ordering online can save time, and you can look at photos showing how the arrangements will appear. Before you order online, verify that the florist can deliver on time and in good condition.

Categories of Funeral Flower Arrangements

The choices covered on this page fit into a few broad groups. The list below sums them up so you can compare them quickly before you order.

  • Casket spray – the most eye-catching arrangement, typically made to cover half of the casket.
  • Wreaths – generally set on tripods and shown around the casket.
  • Bouquets – at times placed at the casket's corners or inside it.
  • Baskets and flower vases – set on the floor around the casket and simple to move to the gravesite.

Find further details on our funeral flower arrangements page.

Funeral Flower Arrangements: Common Questions

Is it appropriate to send flowers when someone dies?
Yes. As noted above, sending flowers is generally appropriate to honor the passing of a close friend or relative and to acknowledge the living who will attend the funeral.
What kinds of funeral flower arrangements can I order?
Popular choices include casket sprays, wreaths, bouquets, baskets, and flower vases. Certain florists may also provide custom arrangements.
Should I include a message with the flowers?
Etiquette calls for a brief message to go with the flowers when they are delivered, and your florist can easily take care of this for you.
Can I order funeral flowers online?
Yes. You can order arrangements from a florist online or by phone, for example through 1800flowers or teleflora, for delivery to the funeral home or another location where the funeral is held.
What if I want a religious symbol in the arrangement?
If a religious symbol, such as a cross, is to be worked into the spray, be sure it is the right symbol for the deceased. When in doubt, confirm with the funeral home before you order.
Can the flowers be moved from the service to the gravesite?
Yes. Vases and baskets, along with the other arrangements, can be moved with ease from the services to the gravesite if that is what the surviving family wishes.

Choosing funeral flowers comes down to matching the arrangement to the setting and to the wishes of the family. A casket spray anchors the service, while wreaths, bouquets, baskets, and vases add support around it. Whichever you select, a short personal message and a quick confirmation with the florist about timing and delivery help ensure the flowers arrive as intended.