How to Choose the Right Flower Arrangement For a Friend's Funeral

If you've recently lost a friend, you may want to show your love and respect by ordering a flower arrangement for the funeral on behalf of you and your family. This may not be something you do regularly, and you may not be sure what kind of arrangement or flowers would be most appropriate. What do you need to know?

Funeral Flower Arrangement Types

There are various types of flower arrangements that are suitable for funerals, ranging from large casket displays to wreaths, bouquets and even single flowers. Bear in mind that casket displays and larger arrangements are often left to the close family of the person who died. These arrangements may play a major role in the service—for example, casket flowers sit on top of the casket and larger wreaths, and standing arrangements are often placed close to the casket during the service.

If you aren't sure what kind of arrangement to have delivered, then you can play it safe by simply ordering a funeral bouquet to pay your respects.

Tip: If you aren't sure what the protocol is on floral arrangements for the funeral, you can always ask the funeral director for advice. The funeral director will be able to tell you what arrangements or preferences the family has for flower arrangements and what they would like guests to do.

Funeral Flower Options

If you know that the deceased particularly liked a certain flower, then you can use this flower in your arrangement, either on its own or as part of a general bouquet. This can make the arrangement feel more personal, both to the deceased and to you. For example, if the person who died loved gardening and grew roses, then getting your florist to create a rose-heavy tribute is a lovely idea. If you don't have any preference on flower type, then you can go for a traditional single-flower arrangement (lilies are always a safe bet for a funeral) or a general mixed bouquet.

Tip: If you're finding it hard to strike the right note with a flower arrangement for a funeral and worry that your flowers will be too bland or even too cheerful, ask your florist for advice. Florists have a lot of experience with creating funeral displays and will be able to guide you in the right direction.

In some cases, funeral guests may be asked not to send flowers to the funeral but to mark their respects in other ways, say by donating to charity. If you would still like to send a flower arrangement, you could send a bouquet to the family to let them know that they are in your thoughts, or you could lay some flowers on the grave or memorial plaque at a later date.

Contact a company that offers flower arrangement delivery services for additional advice.