Sending funeral flowers is a great way of showing support to a grieving friend or honoring the memory of a deceased loved one, however, determining what funeral flowers to send can be challenging. Not only can funeral flowers have varying costs based on where and when you purchase them, the type of flower you send also matters because different flowers symbolize different things.
Working directly with a florist or your funeral home can help make these decisions easier, but it’s important that you go prepared so that you can make suggestions and answer any questions to help these service providers specialize your arrangement and stay within your funeral budget.
In this article…
Types of Funeral Flower Arrangements
There are various kinds of flower arrangements that you can purchase for a funeral. You can find descriptions for common flower arrangements and their costs below.
- Bouquets: A bouquet is bundle of flowers which can be purchased in a vase, basket or as cut flowers bunched together. You can choose a single flower species or a mix of them, such as roses, lilies or carnations, to make the bouquet with. The average cost of a funeral bouquet is between $40 and $215, but this can increase with size.
- Casket Sprays: A casket spray is a flower arrangement that gets spread over an opened or closed casket. It is usually ordered by the family of the deceased paying for the funeral. The average cost of a casket spray is between $150 and $400.
- Stand-alone Spray or Wreath: These floral arrangements are usually displayed on a stand or easel to form a heart, cross or some other symbol to honor the deceased. Stand-alone sprays and wreaths typically cost between $125 and $350.
- Pallbearers’ Boutonnieres: Pallbearers’ boutonnieres are singular floral decorations which pallbearers wear on their suit jackets. These flowers typically cost between $4 an $20.
- Floral Package: A complete funeral floral package can consist of bouquets, a casket spray, boutonnieres and more and typically costs between $200 and $800. This is an expense that you will need to go over with your funeral home.
10 Popular Funeral Flowers
Sending flowers is a traditional way of honoring our loved ones when they pass or expressing your condolences to a grieving family. There are various types of flowers you can choose, and they all have different meanings based on cultural traditions. You can use this list as a guide to help you choose which funeral flowers you’d like to send based on their meanings
1. Carnations
Carnations are a popular choice for sympathy flowers and are often used in standing sprays and funeral wreaths. When it comes to these carnations, red symbolizes affection, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and pink symbolizes remembrance. You can also send a mix of multiple colors if you wish. On average, carnations cost $1.20 to $1.65 per stem.
2. Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums, also known as “mums”, are another popular choice of funeral flowers to send. The meaning behind mums can vary depending on which country you’re from. In Asian countries, chrysanthemums are used to symbolize life and rebirth, while in America and European countries these flowers symbolize honor, respect and sympathy. On average, chrysanthemums cost $2.25 to $5.00 per stem.
3. Daffodils and Tulips
Both daffodils and tulips symbolize rebirth and new beginnings. Both flowers can be sent if you’re looking to communicate encouragement and hope to a grieving family. It is also important to note that daffodils are associated with cancer, symbolizing the hope for a cancer-free future. On average, daffodils cost $1.20 to $2 per stem and tulips cost $2 to $6 per stem.
4. Gladioli
The gladioli flower is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a flower which symbolizes strength and character. This flower can also be sent to signify encouragement and hope during a difficult grieving time. On average, gladiolus flowers cost $1.90 to $2.60 per stem.
5. Hyacinth
Hyacinth flowers are often included in an assortment of funeral flowers. There are various schools of thought behind their meaning, but they are most commonly viewed as symbols for constancy and sincerity. On average, hyacinth flowers cost $1.68 to $3.20 per stem.
6. Hydrangea
This flower is often sent as a potted version rather than a cut bouquet since the potted plant lasts much longer. When it comes to hydrangea colors, pink symbolizes heartfelt emotion, blue symbolizes frigidity and apology, white symbolizes boasting or bragging, and purple symbolizes a desire to deeply understand someone. On average, hydrangeas cost $1 to $1.95 per stem.
7. Lilies
Lilies are by far the most traditional funeral flowers to send. These flowers are symbolic of the soul of the deceased returning to a state of purity and innocence. White lilies symbolize purity and virtue, pink lilies symbolize prosperity and abundance, red lilies symbolize passion, orange (or tiger) lilies symbolize confidence, pride, and wealth, and yellow lilies symbolize thankfulness and a desire for enjoyment. On average, lilies cost $1.88 to $3.00 per stem.
8. Orchids
When it comes to funerals, the orchid generally symbolizes your everlasting love for the deceased. If you are giving an orchid plant to a grieving friend or relative to express your condolences, then it is better that you choose a white orchid which symbolizes sympathy. On average, orchids cost $3 to $30 per stem depending on the color and type you purchase.
9. Peace Lily Plant
Just like the flower, a Peace Lily Plant symbolizes the innocence and rebirth of the deceased. This can be a nice flower to send to anyone you know that’s grieving since it will last a long time. On average, Peace Lily Plants cost $12 to $70 depending on the pot size.
10. Roses
Similar to lily flowers, roses are very common funeral flowers and each color rose has a slightly different meaning. White roses symbolize spirituality, purity, and innocence. In a funeral setting, the classic red rose symbolizes a mixture of love and grief. Yellow roses symbolize friendship and can be given to your friends to signify the strength of your bond. Dark pink roses can be sent to express gratitude to the deceased. On average, roses cost $3.50 to $6 per stem.