The best flowers for a funeral are the ones that feel respectful, calm, and true to the person being remembered. Lilies, roses, chrysanthemums, and carnations are the traditional choices, and for good reason. They are dignified, they hold up well, and they carry meanings of peace, love, and remembrance. If you are asking what flowers for a funeral, any of these is a safe and gracious choice.
The better question is often the feeling you want to send, and the colours that say it. Below is a short guide to the flowers most often chosen, what they tend to mean, and how to decide between something for the service and something for the family's home.
The traditional funeral flowers
- Lilies. Yes, lilies are funeral flowers, perhaps the most classic of all. The white lily in particular speaks to peace, purity, and the restored innocence of the soul. They are elegant and fragrant, and they anchor many sympathy arrangements.
- Roses. A single rose or a gathering of them suits almost any service. White roses for reverence, red for love and respect, soft pink for gratitude and grace.
- Chrysanthemums. In much of Europe and across many cultures, chrysanthemums are strongly associated with mourning and remembrance. They are also long-lasting, which makes them a thoughtful choice.
- Carnations. Affordable, hardy, and gently fragrant. They hold their form for a long time, and their range of colours makes them easy to work into any arrangement.
- Orchids. A living orchid plant is a lasting expression of sympathy, something the family can keep and tend long after the service.
- Gladioli. Tall and stately, gladioli bring height and strength to standing arrangements and sprays.
- Hydrangea. Full and soft, hydrangea speaks to heartfelt emotion, and adds a gentle fullness to mixed designs.
What colour flowers for a funeral
Colour carries quiet meaning, and you can lean on it. White is the most traditional, suggesting peace, reverence, and respect. Soft pastels, blush, lavender, pale blue, feel tender and comforting. Deeper tones like burgundy and rich purple convey dignity and love. Brighter colours are not off-limits, especially for a celebration of life, where they can honour a vivid, joyful person. When unsure, white and soft tones are always appropriate.
A casket spray or flowers for the home
There are two broad choices, and they serve different purposes. A casket spray, standing wreath, or large arrangement is meant for the service itself, and is usually chosen by the immediate family. If you are close to them, it is kind to ask before sending something for the casket, so it suits their plans.
For most people, flowers sent to the family's home, or to the funeral home in their name, are the more fitting gesture. They offer comfort in a quieter, more personal way, and they continue to give in the days after. We deliver sympathy arrangements to homes and funeral homes across the GTA.
A note on culture and custom
Different faiths and cultures observe loss differently. In some traditions flowers are central, in others they are sent to the home rather than the service, and in a few they are respectfully declined in favour of other gestures. If you are unsure what is appropriate, a quiet word with the family, or with us, will guide you well. Respect and care translate across every custom. For a family sitting shiva, our shiva flowers gather soft, understated arrangements for the home.
If you would like help choosing, our sympathy and memorial flowers are designed by hand on the morning they are delivered, and we are glad to talk it through with you. Order by 11:30 a.m., Monday to Saturday, for same-day delivery across Toronto and the GTA, direct to the funeral home, chapel or residence. Delivery is free. Once the flowers are chosen, our guide to what to write on funeral flowers has example messages by relationship.
In the end, the right flowers are the ones sent with sincerity. That is what the family will feel.
A few common questions
Are lilies funeral flowers?
Yes. White lilies are the most classic funeral flower, associated with peace and the restored innocence of the soul, and they anchor many sympathy arrangements.
Are carnations funeral flowers?
Yes. Carnations are a traditional, long-lasting choice that hold their form well and come in colours that suit any arrangement.
What colour flowers are appropriate for a funeral?
White is the most traditional, followed by soft pastels. Deeper tones convey dignity and love, and brighter colours can suit a celebration of life. When unsure, white and soft tones are always appropriate.
Should I send flowers to the service or to the family's home?
A casket spray or standing piece is usually chosen by the immediate family. For most people, flowers sent to the family's home, or to the funeral home in their name, are the more fitting gesture.