What Flowers to Send to a Funeral

Choosing flowers for a funeral can feel daunting, especially when you are grieving. There is rarely a wrong choice — a sincere tribute is always the right one — but a little guidance helps. This guide covers what flowers to send, who traditionally sends what, how to choose colours, and what to write on the card. We are a real Bristol florist, and we are always happy to talk it through on 0117 973 2440.

Looking to order now? See our full range of funeral flowers in Bristol — hand-made in our Clifton shop and delivered to the funeral director or service.

What flowers are suitable for a funeral?

Almost any flower can be a fitting funeral tribute. What matters most is the thought behind it. The traditional forms are:

• Wreaths — a circular tribute symbolising eternity and remembrance, usually sent by close family and friends. See our funeral wreaths.
• Casket & coffin sprays — the main tribute that sits on the coffin, traditionally from the closest family. See our casket sprays.
• Tied sheaves — a flat-backed bouquet designed to be laid, suitable for anyone and easy for the funeral director to place.
• Posies & baskets — smaller, gentle arrangements, often chosen by grandchildren or friends.
• Heart tributes — a shaped tribute expressing love, popular from partners and children.
• Letter & name tributes — spelling MUM, DAD, NAN or a name, usually from immediate family.

If you would prefer something personal to the person who has died — their favourite colour, or seasonal British flowers — tell us and we will design around it.

Funeral flower etiquette: who sends what?

There are no strict rules, but these customs help if you are unsure of your place:

• Immediate family (partner, children, parents) traditionally send the coffin spray or casket tribute, letter tributes, or a heart.
• Wider family and close friends usually send wreaths, tied sheaves or posies.
• Colleagues, clubs and groups often send one collective tribute, signed from everyone — a wreath or sheaf works well.
• Those not attending may send a sympathy bouquet to the family home instead (see below).

Do check the funeral announcement first: some families request “family flowers only”, with donations to a charity in lieu. If so, a sympathy bouquet to the home or a donation is the thoughtful choice.

Choosing colours and flowers

Colour is personal, and modern funerals often celebrate a life with bright, joyful flowers rather than only white. As a gentle guide:

• White lilies — the classic funeral flower, associated with peace and remembrance.
• White roses — reverence and remembrance; red for love and respect; pink for grace and gratitude.
• Chrysanthemums — long associated with sympathy and mourning, and wonderfully long-lasting.
• Carnations and freesias — affection and fond memory, in soft or vivid tones.
• Seasonal British blooms — a natural, personal choice that reflects the time of year.

If the person loved a particular flower or colour, that will always mean more than any tradition.

Curious what different blooms symbolise? See our guide to funeral flower meanings.

What to write on a funeral flower card

Keep it short, warm and sincere — a few words are enough. If you are stuck, here are messages you can use or adapt. We write the card for you, so just add your wording at checkout or tell us on the phone.

For many more examples by relationship and tone, see our full page of funeral flower card messages.

Short and timeless

From family

From a friend

From colleagues or a group

Comforting and peaceful

Funeral flowers or flowers to the family home?

These are two different kinds of tribute, and many people send both. Funeral flowers — wreaths, sprays and tributes — go to the service, the funeral director or the crematorium. Sympathy flowers are a softer hand-tied bouquet sent to the bereaved at home, often a little after the funeral, to show you are still thinking of them. If you would like to send comfort to someone grieving, see our sympathy flowers.

When to send and how to order

Order online with clear, fixed prices and choose your delivery date at checkout — please pick the day before the service where possible, so your tribute is with the funeral director in good time. We ask for at least 36 hours’ notice, and a little more for larger wreaths and casket sprays. Prefer to talk it through? Call us on 0117 973 2440. We are a real local florist — never a relay or courier network — and we hand-deliver every tribute ourselves across Bristol. Families rate us 4.8★ on Google for the care we take.

Common questions

What flowers are most appropriate for a funeral?

Lilies are the most traditional funeral flower, associated with peace and remembrance, but there is no single right choice. Wreaths, tied sheaves, posies, hearts and letter tributes are all suitable, and many families now choose the person’s favourite flowers or colours. If in doubt, a hand-tied sympathy bouquet or a classic wreath is always fitting.

What should I write on a funeral flower card?

Keep it short and sincere. Messages such as “With deepest sympathy”, “Forever in our hearts” or “Thinking of you all” are always appropriate. If the flowers are from several people, sign with the family or group name. We write your message on the card for you — just add it at checkout or tell us over the phone.

Can you send flowers to a funeral home or crematorium?

Yes. We deliver funeral tributes to funeral directors, churches, crematoria and family homes across Bristol, hand-delivered by us and timed to arrive before the service. Just give us the venue name and the time of the service and we coordinate the rest, liaising with the funeral director where needed.

What is the difference between funeral flowers and sympathy flowers?

Funeral flowers — wreaths, sprays and tributes — are sent to the service itself. Sympathy flowers are a softer hand-tied bouquet sent to the bereaved at home, to show you are thinking of them in the days and weeks that follow. Many people send both.

How much notice do you need for funeral flowers?

We ask for at least 36 hours’ notice so our florists can prepare your tribute properly and time delivery to the service, and a little more for larger wreaths and casket sprays where you can. For anything sooner, call the shop on 0117 973 2440 and we’ll tell you honestly what’s possible.

What if the family has asked for ‘family flowers only’?

Some funeral announcements request “family flowers only”, often with donations to a charity in lieu. In that case the thoughtful alternative is a sympathy bouquet sent to the family home, or a donation to the named charity. It’s always worth checking the funeral notice before ordering.