A Guide to Choosing Funeral Flowers in the UK
Expressing condolences can be one of the most difficult things we do. When words fail, flowers offer a beautiful and poignant way to convey sympathy, respect, and love. Sending a floral tribute is a long-standing tradition in the UK, providing comfort to the bereaved and honouring the life of the person who has passed away.
Navigating the choices can feel overwhelming during a difficult time. This guide will help you understand the different types of funeral flower arrangements and their meanings, so you can select a tribute that feels right.
The Significance of Funeral Flowers
Flowers play a vital role in the grieving process. They are a visual expression of our feelings, representing the beauty of life and the sorrow of loss. For the family, seeing the array of tributes can be a great source of comfort, showing them how many people cared for their loved one. From the simple to the elaborate, every arrangement carries a message of support and remembrance.
Popular Types of Funeral Flower Arrangements
There are several traditional styles of funeral tributes, each suited for different purposes and relationships.
Casket Sprays
Also known as a Double-Ended Spray, this is a large, diamond-shaped arrangement designed to adorn the top of the coffin. It is typically chosen by the immediate family or those closest to the deceased. These sprays are often made with a variety of flowers and foliage, creating a significant and personal centrepiece for the service.
Wreaths
The circular shape of a wreath symbolises eternal life, with no beginning and no end. This makes it a deeply meaningful and popular choice for a funeral. Wreaths can be sent by family, friends, or colleagues and are suitable for display at the funeral service or at the graveside.
Posies and Baskets
Posies are round, hand-tied bouquets that can be sent by anyone, including children, to express their sympathy. They are a versatile and less formal option. Similarly, basket arrangements are a self-contained tribute that is easy to manage and can be taken home by the family after the service or placed at the burial site.
Letter Tributes
These arrangements spell out a name or a significant word, such as 'MUM', 'DAD', or 'GRANDAD'. They are a very personal tribute, almost always chosen by the closest family members.
Standing Sprays
These are arrangements designed for display on an easel. They are a prominent and beautiful tribute, often sent by friends, extended family, or groups of colleagues. They add height and structure to the floral displays at a funeral home or crematorium.
The Meaning Behind the Flowers
The type of flower you choose can also carry its own special meaning.
- Lilies: One of the most common funeral flowers, lilies symbolise the restored innocence of the soul of the departed. White lilies are particularly associated with purity and majesty.
- Roses: The meaning of a rose depends on its colour. Red roses convey deep love and grief, white roses signify reverence and humility, and yellow roses are often given by friends to symbolise their bond.
- Carnations: Like roses, the meaning of carnations varies by colour. Red shows admiration, white suggests pure love and innocence, and pink stands for remembrance.
- Chrysanthemums: In many European cultures, chrysanthemums are used almost exclusively as funeral flowers, symbolising grief and mourning.
- Orchids: A pink or white orchid plant or spray expresses sympathy and eternal love.
Tips for Choosing the Right Arrangement
1. Consider Your Relationship: Casket sprays and personalised letter tributes are usually reserved for the immediate family. Friends, colleagues, and acquaintances might opt for a wreath, spray, posy, or a donation to the family's chosen charity.
2. Check for Family Requests: Sometimes, the family may request specific types of flowers, a particular colour scheme, or ask for charitable donations in lieu of flowers. It's always best to check the funeral notice or ask the funeral director for any such details.
3. Cultural and Religious Considerations: While flowers are a common tribute in Christian traditions, their appropriateness can vary in other cultures and religions. For example, flowers are not traditionally part of Jewish funerals. If you are unsure, it is always respectful to ask or to send a sympathy card instead.
4. Write a Simple, Heartfelt Message: Your floral tribute will be accompanied by a small card. A few simple words of sympathy, such as "With deepest sympathy" or "In loving memory of [Name]," are all that is needed to convey your support.
Choosing funeral flowers is a final, beautiful gesture of farewell. Whatever you select, it is the act of sending them that truly matters, offering a silent message of comfort and support to those who are grieving.
