Guide to ordering funeral flowers
Funeral flowers are an important part of the grieving process and have been a memorial tradition throughout history. At a time of mourning the loss of a loved one, flowers allow you to express what words cannot. Choosing an appropriate floral tribute helps communicate a personal or symbolic message, offering comfort and showing support to family and friends grieving the loss of a loved one.
Here at Vendela Rose, we understand it can be overwhelming deciding what funeral flowers to select. Our caring florists can guide you through and offer expert advice so you can pick the perfect flowers to say farewell. It is advisable to give us as much notice as possible for funeral flower orders, but we understand this is not always possible and will always do our very best to help.
We have put together a useful online guide to funeral and sympathy flowers, outlining the different options available. The Vendela Rose team are on hand to talk through any ideas or offer helpful advice on ordering funeral flowers, so please get in touch with us at a convenient time for you.
Sympathy Flowers
At a difficult time, sending flowers to those grieving can help show your compassion and support. Often sent directly to the family home, sympathy fowers are a lovely way to show those mourning you are thinking of them at this sad time.
Vendela Rose can create an elegant bouquet of fresh flowers in a selected colour or style, most commonly in shades of cream or soft pastels. We can deliver the flowers in water or in a suitable vase or container, which means there is less for the recipient to worry about when receiving the thoughtful gift.
Bespoke/Specialist funeral tributes
Bespoke funeral tributes are a really personal way to honour a loved one’s personality, hobbies, passions or past times. Specialist tributes are cleverly created with fresh flowers and other suitable materials such as foliage, twigs, berries, feathers and ribbon to create an impactful funeral tribute in a chosen design.
Vendela Rose have many years’ experience designing stunning bespoke funeral tributes. Caroline and Sara compassionately hand create bespoke tributes, and much care and thought is put into every aspect as we understand the importance and meaning behind the flowers.
We can design specialist funeral tributes based on your ideas and in the past have created many bespoke tributes including; favourite animals, football team badges, darts board, knitting wool, beer tankard.
Coffin Spray or Casket Spray
Casket sprays are usually chosen by close family members as the main floral tribute. A spray is carefully designed to sit beautifully on top of the coffin. They can also be known as casket sprays, single ended spray (tear drop shopped) or double ended spray.
Vendela Rose can create sprays in a range of colours and sizes, to suit all budgets and styles. We will use a mix of seasonal stems and green foliage to design an elegant coffin spray, that beautifully says farewell.
Letter tributes
Letter tributes are very popular and normally ordered by family members as one of the main flower tribute. Letter tributes can spell out a name or affectionate nick-name such as “Papa” or “Mum”, and often accompany the coffin in the hearse to the service. A very personal tribute, which can be designed using selected flowers or colours.
Wreaths
One of the most popular funeral flower tributes is the Wreath. Sent by friends, work colleagues or family, the circular wreath is a traditional sign of respect and eternal life. Wreaths are very versatile and can be created in a range of styles, colours and sizes to make the perfect tribute.
Hearts
A symbol of love, Heart tributes are generally sent by spouse, close relatives or close friend. They convey a message of love, a truly heartfelt funeral tribute. Available in a variety of sizes, colours and inclusion of favourite flowers to personalise.
Cross
A Cross tribute is a classic choice, normally sent by immediate family and represent personal religious sentiments of the deceased. A Cross is available in a range of sizes from 2ft -6ft and designed in a variety of styles; from traditional to looser, natural designs.
Posies, baskets and tied sheaf (sheaves)
These floral tributes are often sent by friends, work colleagues or acquaintances. A posy is circular in shape, which allows the flowers to be displayed beautifully from all angles. A tied sheaf is very similar to a bouquet, but tied at the bottom of the stems and designed to lie flat. A basket is a lovely design, and can easily be moved or taken home by the family after the service.
Pillows and cushions
The tradition behind sending a pillow or cushion tribute is the symbol of comfort in final resting place. Available in a range of colours and flowers, to reflect the personality of the deceased.
Useful information when ordering Funeral Flowers from your local florist
Where to send Funeral Flowers
If you are not directly involved with organising the funeral it is advisable to send your floral tributes direct to the funeral director. Vendela Rose work closely with local Funeral Directors in Tilehurst, Reading and surrounding Berkshire areas, so we will be able to liaise directly with the Funeral Director to ensure a smooth and stress free delivery of your funeral flowers. The funeral director will then be able to ensure the flowers arrive safely with the coffin to the church or crematorium for the service.
For sympathy flowers, these bouquets are often sent directly to the family home or residential address as a sign of support. It is worth checking someone will be at home to receive the flowers.
When to order funeral flowers
It is best order funeral flowers as soon as possible, giving us plenty of time to prepare for any special requests or requirements. For more complex work such as bespoke tributes and letters we ask for 4 days’ notice. However we understand that sometimes this is not possible, and will always try and accommodate at short notice.
The details you will need when ordering:
- Name of the deceased
- time and date of funeral
- funeral directors name and address
- any special requirements/requests
- card message (approx. 300 characters so it fits properly in the card)
What to message to write in a funeral card
Funeral cards can be difficult to compose at such a sad time. Just a few simple words of support, kind words or a treasured memory of the deceased will be appreciated. Include your name or mention how you knew the deceased, so the family know the connection.
Here are a few ideas of short, heartfelt messages for a funeral card:
- We are so sorry for your loss
- Always in our hearts
- Sharing in your sadness as you remember (name)
- With heartfelt sympathy
- With deepest sympathy as you remember (name)
- When a person becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
- My thoughts are with you at this sad time
- Thinking of you all as you celebrate (name) remarkable life
- What an amazing person and what a remarkable life. I feel so lucky that I got to know (name)
- I’m so grateful I had the chance to know (name) as both a colleague and a precious friend