Choose your flower arrangements
The first step to ordering flowers for a funeral is choosing your preferred types of arrangements. Some of the most common funeral flower arrangements in the UK include:
Wreaths
These are traditional circular arrangements that vary in size and style. Funeral wreaths symbolise eternal life and are often sent by family members or close friends.
Sprays and sheaves
Sprays and sheaves are large arrangements that are usually displayed at the funeral service, beside the grave, or on the coffin. They can be single-ended or double-ended and are usually ordered by immediate family.
Posies and pillows
These small circular arrangements are designed to be placed near the coffin or displayed as a floral tribute at the funeral. They can be sent by all mourners regardless of their relationship to the deceased.
Bouquets and baskets
Funeral bouquets and baskets are less formal floral arrangements, often ordered by friends or extended family members and delivered to the family or funeral home.
Custom arrangements
Custom floral arrangements can be formed in shapes such as Christian crosses or hearts. They can also be made into letters to spell out the deceased’s name or relation i.e. “Mum” or “Granddad”. These are usually chosen by immediate family members.
Find a reliable florist
Once you’ve decided which floral arrangements to include at the funeral, it’s time to select a reliable florist. Depending on your preferences, you can either opt for a local florist or a national online florist.
Local florists often offer a more personal service and can help you select which types of flowers are most appropriate for the occasion. We highly recommend choosing a florist that is near to the funeral directors to ensure timely delivery.
Alternatively, large online florists may be more suitable if you require fast ordering and delivery. Florists such as Interflora, Eflorist and Direct2florist offer a wide selection of pre-arranged funeral flowers that can be delivered to your funeral directors of choice the very next day.
Personalise your flowers
If you have chosen a local florist, you can now begin to customise your flowers and add thoughtful, personal touches to your arrangements.
Flowers such as lilies, roses, carnations, chrysanthemums and orchids are traditionally used for funerals and are available in a wide selection of soft colours. When customising your arrangements, it’s important to be mindful about the symbolism of each type of flower; for example, lilies represent innocence and purity, whilst carnations are used for admiration and remembrance.
If the family hasn’t specified a particular colour scheme for the funeral, you can’t go far wrong with white, soft pink and soft blue flowers. Ask your florist to include a simple ribbon and add a sympathy card to express your condolences to the immediate family. Read our guide on ‘what to write in a sympathy card’ for further inspiration.
Place your order
Once your flowers and personalisations have been selected, it’s time to place your order. Ensure that your florist will deliver the funeral flowers to the correct location, whether that be the funeral home, crematorium, church or the family’s home, in a timely manner. As a general rule of thumb, we suggest arranging for the flowers to be delivered a few hours prior to the service, to allow ample time for preparation.
Things to consider when ordering funeral flowers
Religious traditions
When selecting flowers for a funeral, it’s important to be respectful of the deceased and their immediate family’s religious beliefs. Different religions may have specific traditions regarding funeral flowers. For example, flowers are widely accepted at Christian funerals, however they may not be appropriate for Islamic ceremonies. If you’re unsure, check with the family before placing your order.
Other family preferences
As well as confirming any religious beliefs, it may be a good idea to ask the family of the deceased if they have any preferences for the types of arrangements and flowers displayed at the funeral. Some family members may prefer donations to a chosen charity instead of funeral flowers, so it’s vitally important to respect their wishes and adhere to their preferences.
If you’d prefer not to contact the family directly, you could speak to the funeral directors instead, as they are usually well-informed about the family’s wishes for flowers and/or donations.
Sustainability
If the deceased expressed an interest in sustainability, you may wish to work with florists that offer eco-friendly funeral flowers in the form of seasonal, locally-grown blooms. Ask them to minimise single-use packaging and instead opt for biodegradable options to further reduce your impact on the environment.
Honour the legacy of your loved one with Alexander Burn
Ordering funeral flowers is a caring gesture that allows you to honour the legacy of your loved one. Alexander Burn offers a range of funeral services in Cheltenham, Bishop’s Cleeve, Tewkesbury, and Winchcombe, including different types of burials and cremations. We can assist you with the entire funeral planning process, including placing your flower order, offering expert support and guidance along the way.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our friendly funeral directors for more information about arranging your funeral.
