9 things to Consider Before Ordering Funeral Flowers
Organizing flowers for a funeral or celebration of life can feel overwhelming, especially when several arrangements are needed and the service is approaching quickly. Before choosing individual designs, it helps to understand the service details, where the flowers will be placed and what you would like them to express.
This guide covers the practical decisions that can make planning funeral flowers a little easier.
1- Start With the Service Details
Before ordering, gather the information your florist will need:
• Name of the funeral home, church or service venue
• Date and time of the service
• Name of the person being remembered
• Delivery or setup instructions
• Preferred flowers and colours
• Ribbon wording, if required
• Cultural or religious traditions to consider
Having this information ready allows the florist to coordinate delivery properly and recommend arrangements that suit the space and type of service.
2- Think About the Entire Setting
Rather than choosing each arrangement separately, think about how the flowers will look together throughout the room.
Flowers may be placed near the casket or urn, beside a photograph, on a signing table, around the altar or entrance and on pedestals throughout the venue. Coordinating the colours and flower varieties creates a more complete and thoughtful presentation.
A funeral flower package can be helpful when several matching arrangements are needed. Individual pieces can also be selected when only one tribute is required.
For a detailed explanation of the different arrangement types, read our “I’m Not Sure What to Order” guide:
https://www.petalino.com/pages/im-not-sure-what-to-order
3- Personalize the Flowers
Funeral flowers do not have to follow one particular style. They can be designed to reflect the personality, memories and interests of the person being honoured.
4- Personalization may include:
• Favourite flowers or colours
• Soft and traditional white and green designs
• Bright colours for a celebration of life
• Flowers representing a favourite garden or season
• Country flags, crests or cultural symbols
• Specially shaped wreaths
• Meaningful personal items incorporated into the design
Explore our Custom & Cultural Tributes:
https://www.petalino.com/collections/custom-cultural-tributes
5- Consider Cultural and Family Traditions
Different families and cultures may have their own preferences regarding flower colours, styles and symbols. Some may prefer traditional white flowers, while others may choose bright colours or arrangements that represent their heritage.
If you are uncertain, ask the family or funeral home whether there are any traditions or requests to consider. A florist experienced with cultural tributes can also help create something appropriate and meaningful.
6- Choose a Ribbon Message
A personalized ribbon can identify who the flowers are from or include a short message of remembrance. Ribbon wording can be printed in English, Chinese, Croatian, Filipino, French, Hindi, Italian, Korean, Persian/Farsi, Polish, Spanish, Russian and other languages.
If you are unsure what to write, view our sympathy ribbon message samples:
https://www.petalino.com/pages/what-should-i-write-on-the-sympathy-ribbon
7- Sending Flowers to the Service or the Family
Flowers sent to the funeral service are generally larger and designed to be displayed at the venue. These may include casket sprays, standing sprays, wreaths, crosses, hearts, urn flowers and pedestal arrangements.
Flowers sent to the family’s home are normally smaller and easier to display, such as vase arrangements, plants or sympathy bouquets.
Make sure the delivery information clearly indicates whether the flowers are intended for the service venue or the family’s residence.
8- Plan Delivery Carefully
Funeral flowers should arrive before the service begins. Provide the service time—not only the date—when placing the order. This gives the florist enough information to plan preparation and delivery.
Petalino offers complimentary delivery to funeral homes, churches, cemeteries and celebration-of-life venues throughout our Metro Vancouver service area.
View the areas and funeral homes we deliver to:
https://www.petalino.com/pages/delivery-and-funeral-homes
9- When You Are Still Unsure
You do not need to understand every type of funeral arrangement before contacting a florist. Share the service details, your preferred colours, your relationship to the family and the budget you would like to work within.
An experienced funeral florist can help you select an appropriate tribute and coordinate the flowers so they feel personal, thoughtful and suitable for the service.