Which flowers?
Before you contact your local florist, it might help to have an idea of the shape or size of the arrangement you’d like. Don’t worry if you find this too difficult to think about right now as florists will be happy to explore ideas with you.
There is no right or wrong choice for funeral flowers. What’s important is that they feel right for you and for the people you love.
Here we explain the different words used to describe a few popular types of arrangements. These words might help you when talking to a florist about what you’re looking for. The photos below show the basic shape of different arrangements but the flowers they contain will always change with the seasons.
Different styles of funeral arrangements
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![A shareable seasonal summer funeral flower arrangement with pastel flowers and pops of brighter reds and pinks. This arrangement is photographed on a table in a cutting garden and you can see clematis and foliage growing in the background.]()
A casket spray / coffin blanket
Usually the main funeral flower arrangement. Can be made to different lengths. A large casket spray will measure around 5’ (150cm) and will cover almost the full length of the coffin. “Double ended” describes sprays which taper to a point at both ends. “Single-ended” describes sprays which are more kite-shaped - flatter at one end and tapered to a point at the other. These can be made so that they can be shared after the service and can be constructed in a 100% plastic-free way.
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![A fully compostable sustainable funeral wreath made on a woven base is decorated with purple anemones, love in a mist, rosemary and sweetly scented white Hesperis.]()
A wreath
A floral wreath is perhaps the most traditional of funeral flower arrangements. Wreaths can be heart-shaped or circular and can be made on a hand-woven base of flexible woody materials which can be covered with flowers, or left partly uncovered to show the detail of the weaving. They can come in a variety of sizes and several can be used on top of the coffin. They’re suitable for use as the main floral tribute or can be used as an accompaniment to other farewell flowers.
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![A garden gathered style funeral tribute in the form of a natural tied sheaf. This flat backed arrangement lies on the top of the coffin. This one contains seasonal early summer flowers like peonies, pink roses, mock orange blossom, daisies & foxglove]()
A tied sheaf
A tied sheaf is one of the simplest forms for natural funeral flowers. It's a fully compostable flat-backed bouquet simply tied with raffia, wool or twine which can be laid on top of the coffin. It’s possible to make sheaves in different lengths. It could be the main arrangement or made as a complement to work with other funeral floral tributes..
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![A wildflower style funeral casket spray made with peach, pastel and orange spring flowers and foliage photographed on a table in a garden.]()
Shareable arrangments
Many of our Farewell florists are able to make large casket arrangements by combining bouquets or jars of flowers. When assembled, they look like a traditional coffin blanket, but can be easily taken apart after the service and used to decorate the wake, or to gift to friends and family. We think it is lovely for our flowers have an afterlife and to be shared.
