What Flowers Are Best for a Funeral?

This is part of our complete guide to funeral flowers.

Flowers add warmth and meaning to a service, but some wonder what flowers are best for a funeral. Their colour, scent and symbolism can help express feelings that words cannot.

Selecting the right type matters when choosing flowers for a loved one’s memorial. Some flowers carry traditional meanings, while others offer a personal touch. Bridgwater Funerals is here to help you create a fitting tribute with the most common and meaningful flower choices.

Some families want to stick to tradition, while others want something more personal. You can customise a floral arrangement to reflect personality or family preferences. Use each flower type alone or combine it with others for a fuller display. Here are several suggestions for funeral flowers that hold meaning and are suitable for services:

• Roses — White roses represent reverence and are common for formal tributes. Red roses express love and grief, while pink roses convey appreciation and grace.
• Carnations — These long-lasting flowers are ideal for wreaths, sprays, and other arrangements. White carnations stand for innocence, red for admiration, and pink for remembrance.
• Chrysanthemums — Common in funerals throughout the UK, these flowers are ideal for formal and informal arrangements. They symbolise loyalty, honesty, and lasting respect.
• Orchids — Known for their graceful beauty, orchids bring a peaceful and elegant touch to any tribute. White and pink varieties are the most appropriate for funerals.
• Freesias — Small and sweet-smelling, these flowers provide delicate beauty. They symbolise friendship and thoughtful remembrance.

Lilies are a traditional and widely used flower in funeral arrangements due to their symbolic meanings and graceful appearance. In Western cultures, they represent sympathy, purity, and resurrection. By contrast, Eastern cultures like China and Japan associate them with death and display them at funerals. Their versatility and elegant look make them popular, with colour choices of white, pink, yellow and orange. When selecting lilies for a funeral, it’s essential to consider cultural traditions to choose the appropriate flowers.

When deciding which flowers are best for a funeral, think about the person you’re honouring. Their favourite colours, personal style, and beliefs can help guide your choice. You don't have to follow trends — what matters most is that the flowers feel right to you and your family. Here are some of the best flowers for a funeral arrangement:

• Sprays and Wreaths — These uniquely designed floral displays rest on or near the coffin. Close family members often choose them for their visual impact and symbolism.
• Sheafs and Bouquets — As smaller arrangements, these are easier to carry or move. Mourners typically place them beside the coffin or take them home as a keepsake after the service.
• Posies and Baskets — These traditional choices are compact and simple in design. They’re especially suitable for friends, neighbours, or younger attendees to present.
• Letter Tributes — You can spell out names or meaningful words like “MUM,” “DAD,” or “GRAN.” These arrangements offer a personal and heartfelt way to honour a loved one.

For those looking for something less traditional, unique funeral flowers can help reflect a person’s individuality or interests. These flowers might include more colourful options or unusual blooms that are still practical in the UK. Choosing unique funeral flowers doesn’t mean going over the top. Often, one or two standout blooms mixed with classics like lilies or roses create the perfect balance. Here are some examples of unique but appropriate funeral flowers:

• Sunflowers — With a bold, cheerful look, they bring warmth and positivity to a service. They are especially fitting for celebrations of life and humanist ceremonies.
• Hydrangeas — These flowers are full and rich in colour, making them stand out in any arrangement. Their large blooms add a touch of softness and individuality.
• Delphiniums — Tall and elegant, delphiniums bring structure and height to floral tributes. They are ideal for adding vibrant blue or purple tones to the display.
• Lavender — With its soft scent and calming presence, lavender brings peace to the arrangement. Woodland burials often use lavender for a more natural look.

Choosing funeral flowers is personal, but Bridgwater Funerals is here to help you know which flowers are best for a funeral. Whether you select traditional lilies, elegant roses or something more distinctive like lavender or delphiniums, each bloom tells part of the story. Remember that the best flowers for a funeral feel meaningful to you and your family. So, whether the service is large or small, religious or non-traditional, flowers can bring comfort and beauty to the moment. Please contact us for assistance with funeral arrangements or other services in Bridgwater, Somerset, and surrounding areas.