From my York-based studio, I’m honoured to design and create beautiful funeral tributes for my customers. Funeral or sympathy flowers are a meaningful part of the funeral process, often reflecting the personality and life of your loved one.
I take the time to understand your requirements, creating beautiful, relaxed funeral tributes with flowing textures and garden-inspired floral choices. Wherever possible, I include the favourite flowers of your loved ones to add a personal touch to the arrangement.
I understand that knowing what funeral flowers to send in a time of mourning can be confusing in an already difficult time. So whether you’re a family member organising a service, or a friend looking to express your sympathies, I’ve put together a guide to the different types of funeral flowers below.
Casket Sprays
Coffin or ‘casket’ sprays are often the main tribute on a coffin and are usually purchased by the family, or closest surviving relatives of the deceased. Casket sprays lay on top of a coffin and can accompany the coffin both in a funeral hearse and at the service. Traditionally, there are two casket spray shapes - a single and double-ended spray. A single-ended spray is a teardrop shape, rounded at one end and pointed at the other. A double-ended spray is pointed at both ends, rounding in the middle. Casket sprays are available in a variety of lengths. The length that you choose can be based on a few factors such as the size of the coffin, or the cost of the spray. You can view a selection of our most-purchased spray designs here. If you are looking for something more bespoke, I am happy to talk through your requirements for your funeral. Please contact me here.
Tied Sheaf
A tied sheaf is a hand-tied bouquet which is designed to be ‘front facing’. This means it can be laid flat on top of a coffin and the flowers are all on the top of the bouquet. A hand-tied sheaf does not have a water source, so is often taken home by the family of the deceased after the funeral service. It can also be left at a graveside, but please note the arrangement will not be in water. A funeral sheaf is an appropriate tribute for any mourner.
A tied sheaf is plastic-free and a biodegradable option for those mindful of the environmental impact of their funeral flowers. The natural, informal nature of the bouquet makes it a suitable option for a woodland burial service where tributes must be biodegradable.
Tied sheafs are available in a range of sizes, colours and flower choices. Get in touch today to discuss your requirements. You can view our collection of tied sheaf designs here.
Basket
At Petals & Paperie, I create beautiful, garden-inspired floral baskets that feature a mix of flowers and foliage. Baskets are practical in that they are easy to return to the family after the funeral, or placed at a graveside. They have a water source, which ensures that your tribute lasts long past the funeral and is appreciated at home. Our basket arrangements can be created foam-free, making them ideal for a woodland burial service. Basket arrangements can also be placed at the ceremony next to a guest book or service table. Browse my selection of basket designs here.
Round Posy
A posy is a floral tribute with a round base and domed shape. Being circular in shape, these tributes are beautiful when viewed from all angles and can be left on a graveside following the service. Typically these tributes are sent by friends, acquaintances or distant family members and can be sent to the funeral home to be included on the day of the service, or sent directly to the family of the deceased.
Wreath
Funeral wreaths are a timeless, elegant design with the circular shape symbolising eternal life. I specialise in loose, natural wreath designs which are available in 4 sizes. Wreaths are generally ordered by close family members, friends or work colleagues and can be customised with different colours and flowers fitting to the memory of your loved one.
Heart
A heart-shaped tribute is a popular option for a funeral arrangement, generally sent by close family members for a funeral service. I offer heart-shaped tributes in 4 sizes and these can be personalised in a variety of flowers and colours. Our heart-shaped designs follow our same design style with loose, garden-inspired florals. You can view my selection of designs here, or please get in touch to discuss a bespoke design.
Special Tributes & Letters
Some families are looking for something different, be it letter tributes where the letters spell out a name such as ‘Mum’, ‘Dad’ and ‘Nan’. These are usually requested by close family members and will accompany the coffin in the hearse and at the funeral service. Letter Tributes are priced per letter, and will vary depending on the colour and flowers requested. Special tributes can also be requested, where floral arrangements are created in specific shapes such as wings, teddies, footballs etc. These too are usually requested by close family or friends and are a reflection of the hobbies, interests and passions of the deceased. Please get in touch here to order a bespoke funeral tribute.
Urns or Ceremony Flowers
Whereas most of the funeral flowers I've mentioned in this article accompany the coffin along it’s journey or are included around/near the coffin at the funeral, you may also be looking for floral arrangements that will be located at the ceremony or memorial service. I can take bespoke requests for urns and arrangements for a funeral or memorial service - please get in touch here.
Single Stem Flowers
Traditionally, families would throw a handful of dirt onto a coffin as it was lowered into the ground. This was a symbolic gesture that represented the rejoining of the deceased to the earth. As a more elegant option, it is now common for mourners to throw or place a single flower on to the coffin. Typically, the flowers thrown are single-stem white roses but you can choose any flower that is meaningful to you or your loved one. If you are organising funeral or sympathy flowers with me, please get in touch to order single-stem flowers for your service.
At Petals & Paperie, I only use the highest-quality stems to provide exceptional funeral flowers. Each arrangement is carefully prepared and designed in my North Yorkshire studio using fresh flowers.
I have a collection of funeral and sympathy flowers which you can explore here. If you are looking to order funeral flowers and have a specific request, colour scheme or theme, please call me on 07884 562074 or email me at rachel@petalsandpaperie.com. I hand-deliver your arrangement to a destination of choice within my local delivery areas, whether it be a funeral home or personal address.
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