What to Write on a Wreath: Funeral Flower Message Examples

Knowing what to write on funeral flowers can seem almost imposible. How can you find the right words to write on a card, to express your grief and how much the person that has died meant to you? Funeral flowers and wreaths are some of the most popular ways to express your grief and sorrow and in this guide to funeral wreaths and flowers, you will find some examples of what to write on a wreath or sympathy bouquet.

Sending funeral flowers is a thoughtful way of expressing your grief when somebody has died. It is a mark of love, appreciation and respect and is an opportunity to share sympathetic words with the family or a loved one.

Funeral wreaths

Symbolising eternity and continuity, a funeral wreath is one of the most popular types of floral tributes for a funeral.

Their history dates back to ancient Greek and Roman times when hand woven wreaths were fashioned out of twigs, leaves, flowers and berries and worn as a headdress.

With evergreen foliage including laurel and ivy, wreaths also have religious significance as they can symbolise eternal life and victory over death.

What to write as a funeral wreath or flower message

A funeral wreath is usually accompanied by a short, but meaningful message that expresses sympathy and sorrow.

The card that accompanies your tribute need only to have a few kind and thoughtful words to express your condolences.

Here are a few examples of short messages to write on funeral wreaths or flowers.

 • Forever in our hearts 

 • With love and memories

 • Forever missed, but never forgotten

 • With our deepest sympathy

 • Till we meet again

 • Remembered always 

 • Dearly loved and dearly missed

 • In loving memory

 • You will be loved and remembered forever

 • With you in sorrow 

What do you write on a card for funeral flowers?

Whether you will be attending the funeral or are sending a floral tribute with your regrets, you’ll want to make sure that your message is simple, heartfelt and meaningful.

Even if you didn’t know the person who died very well, a well-thought out message accompanying your funeral flowers goes a long way in conveying your sympathy and grief.

What do you write on funeral flowers cards for different family members?

To help you express what to say, we have created a list of examples of funeral flower messages to help you tailor-make a funeral flower card message for different family members.

We hope these words will help you remember your loved one’s life and inspire you to create a heartfelt and personal message of your own which reflects your loved one and your relationship with them.

Other tributes

Some families will ask for charitable donations instead of flowers. This will usually be stated in any newspaper obituary notices regarding the funeral or on a Funeral Guide obituary. If you are not sure, you can contact the funeral directors directly and they will able to tell you what to do.

It is now becoming more popular for balloon tributes to be included in funerals. They are seen as a celebration of life more than a mourning of the death. Generally, it is advised to ask a family member before buying a balloon tribute, as it may not be fitting with the funeral theme.

A Guide to Funeral Flower Etiquette

 All you need to know about arranging floral tributes for a funeral, when it’s appropriate to send flowers, or make a donation instead

Some funerals can involve an abundance of flowers, wreaths and floral tributes, while at others the flowers are kept to a simple funeral spray of flowers on the coffin or casket.

So who should send flowers and what’s the etiquette around tributes, wreaths and sympathy messages? Should you simply send a donation to charity instead?

Often, the obituary will tell you whether to send funeral flowers or sympathy flowers to the bereaved family, or whether they have expressed a wish that the money you might have spent on a floral tribute helps a good cause, such as a local hospice or charity.

Do immediate family members send flowers to a funeral?

Anyone can send flowers for a funeral – and it’s a thoughtful gesture – unless the bereaved family has said that they would prefer donations, or some other tribute in lieu.

If there is only to be one floral tribute at a funeral, it’s usual for this to be a coffin spray arranged for by the immediate family – a tied floral arrangement which is placed on the closed casket.

Close family members or the person arranging the funeral are usually supported by the funeral director to arrange for this, via a good local florist.

Sometimes, individual family members like to arrange for their own flowers, too. These may include a wreath from a spouse and flowers from children and family-within-family groups, too. They may order these family tributes through the funeral director, or directly from a florist and have them sent to the funeral home.

Funeral floral tributes from family

It’s often the closest family members who choose for floral tributes that spell out a name – Nan is a popular funeral flower tribute from grandchildren – or a floral tribute may symbolise something that was close to the person’s heart – such as a football club logo, butterfly or heart.

The person who is arranging the funeral can decide on which floral tributes will accompany the person who has died in the hearse – usually these are the flowers from close family.

Funeral flower etiquette for grandchildren, children, siblings, parents or spouses is usually quite straightforward – do what you feel is right.

If the person who has arranged the funeral expressly requested no flowers but it means a lot to send them, a good funeral director will discreetly know what to do. The flowers, for instance, may be arranged somewhere outside the funeral venue, on a terrace or porch.

Is it okay to bring flowers to a funeral?

It’s usual funeral flower etiquette for flowers to be sent to the bereaved via the funeral director. You’ll usually find directions on the obituary.

If you wish for the flowers to be included in the funeral, make sure that you have ordered your flowers at least 48 hours before the funeral is due to take place.

If you have sent flowers ahead to the funeral director or bring flowers along to the funeral, these may be taken by the funeral director, who can place them with other tributes. These may be arranged inside the venue before the service begins, or on a porch or terrace so that they are the first thing people see when they leave the crematoria.

If the person is being buried, the flowers will be brought by the funeral director to be placed on the grave.

The funeral’s not a great time to proffer a bunch of flowers directly into to the bereaved person’s hands, but sympathy flowers – intended to express I’m so sorry for your loss – can be sent to them at home, with a thoughtful note.

You can send sympathy flowers before the funeral, or to express that you are thinking of someone in the very difficult days and weeks after the funeral when they may feel very alone.

What happens to funeral flowers after a cremation?

If you’ve sent flowers to a cremation funeral, the bereaved family may choose to take some of the flowers home, or distribute them among family and friends.

There is often a designated area where wreaths and letter tributes are displayed for a week or so after the funeral. After this period of time, crematoria and cemeteries usually dispose of funeral flowers, unless the family is already visiting and refreshing the flowers on a loved one’s grave.

Personal funeral flowers may be taken down after a cremation service and are sometimes donated to a hospices and charities, while families sometimes also request that surplus bouquets are passed on this way. You may wish to keep the message cards and notes, to look back on and read when you feel the time is right.

Some people choose to preserve funeral flowers – Victorian mourners often placed ornate funeral flower wreaths made of wax on the coffin.

After the funeral, this would be placed in a glass dome and displayed at home. Funeral flowers can be pressed, or carefully preserved to keep their shape and colour and then framed. There are specialists that can do this for you. Alternatively a single flower or bud might be preserved in glass – as a paperweight or memorial pendant.

The Tradition and Significance of Bringing Flowers to Funerals

The custom of bringing flowers to funerals is deeply ingrained in cultures around the world, spanning centuries of tradition and symbolism. While the practice may seem simple on the surface, the act of presenting floral tributes holds profound significance in honoring the deceased and offering comfort to the bereaved. In this article, we explore the reasons behind why people bring flowers to funerals and the enduring importance of this timeless tradition.

Expressing Condolences and Sympathy:

One of the primary reasons people bring flowers to funerals is to express condolences and sympathy to the grieving family. Flowers serve as a tangible symbol of support, offering comfort and solace during a difficult time. The beauty and fragrance of fresh blooms convey a message of love, compassion, and solidarity, providing a source of emotional strength to those who mourn the loss of a loved one.

Honoring the Deceased:

Funeral flowers serve as a poignant tribute to the life and legacy of the deceased. Each bloom is carefully chosen to reflect the personality, interests, and memories of the departed, creating a meaningful representation of their unique spirit. Whether it's their favorite flower or a color that held special significance to them, the floral arrangements pay homage to the individuality and impact of the person who has passed away.

Symbolism and Meaning:

Every flower carries its own symbolic significance, adding layers of meaning to funeral floral tributes. For example, lilies symbolize purity and renewal, while roses represent love and remembrance. By selecting flowers with symbolic connotations, mourners can convey heartfelt messages and sentiments to the bereaved family. The careful arrangement of flowers also serves as a visual representation of the cycle of life and the beauty of nature's fleeting beauty.

Offering Comfort and Healing:

The presence of flowers at a funeral creates a soothing and comforting atmosphere for mourners. Studies have shown that exposure to natural elements, such as flowers and greenery, can have a therapeutic effect on emotional well-being, reducing stress and promoting healing. The sight and scent of flowers evoke feelings of peace, serenity, and hope, providing a sense of refuge amidst the pain of loss.

Cultivating Community and Support:

Bringing flowers to a funeral is not only an individual gesture of condolence but also a communal expression of support and solidarity. The collective presence of floral tributes from friends, relatives, and members of the community conveys a message of unity and shared grief. The act of coming together to honor the departed with flowers fosters a sense of connection and belonging, reaffirming the bonds of love and compassion that transcend loss.

Conclusion:

The tradition of bringing flowers to funerals is a timeless ritual that speaks to the universal human experience of loss and mourning. From expressing condolences and honoring the deceased to offering comfort and healing, funeral flowers play a vital role in commemorating lives and providing solace to those who grieve. As we gather to pay our respects with floral tributes, we celebrate the enduring power of love, remembrance, and community in times of sorrow.