How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost? - CostHelper (2024)

CostHelper > Personal Finance > Funerals > Funeral Flowers
How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost? - CostHelper (1)How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost? - CostHelper (2)Carnations and Common Flowers: $40-$80How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost? - CostHelper (3)Roses, Lilies or Exotic Flowers: $90-$250How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost? - CostHelper (4)Sprays and Wreaths: $125-$350

Whether a simple bouquet in a vase, or a large wreath or floral heart on a stand, flowers are often sent as a sign of support to the grieving family and to honor the memory of the deceased. The immediate family often supplies a main floral arrangement or casket spray, but neighbors, friends, coworkers and others may send additional flowers.Typical costs:
  • A basic bouquet in a vase or basket starts between $40 and $80 for a simple arrangement of carnations or other common flowers with filler such as babies' breath or ferns; it increases to $90-$250 or more for larger bouquets of roses, lilies or other high-end or exotic flowers. FTD.com[1] offers bouquets in a vase or basket for $40-$212. Instead of cut flowers, an arrangement of potted plants with similar growing-condition requirements can cost $30-$90 or more.
  • A casket spray (designed to be laid over the casket whether it's open or closed) is usually ordered by the immediate family of the deceased, and starts around $60-$125 for a small, simple spray but more often costs $150-$250 for larger arrangements of standard flowers, and can be $300-$450 or more for large arrangements of roses, lilies, orchids or other more expensive flowers. Dick's Flowers[2] sells a range of casket sprays, from $150 for carnations to $400 for long-stemmed red roses in full bloom.
  • Stand-alone sprays and wreaths start between $50 and $100 for common flowers in a simple spray on a stand/easel, but it often costs $125-$350 for a stand/easel holding a large spray, wreath or specialty arrangement in the shape of a heart, cross or other symbol. Costco[3] sells specialty arrangements for $280-$290, and large casket sprays for $300-$350.
  • Pallbearers' boutonnieres range from $4-$20 each, but average about $10 apiece.
  • A complete funeral floral package (bouquet, casket spray, boutonnieres, etc.) can range from $200-$800 or more but averages about $300-$500, depending on how many flowers are included, the type used and local rates.
Related articles: Funeral Service, Funeral Processions, Funeral
What should be included:
  • A floral arrangement should arrive at least two hours before the funeral or memorial service. A standard funeral package from a funeral home or mortuary will typically include handling the flowers -- receiving them, setting them up for a service, transporting them to a graveside ceremony, making arrangements for them after the funeral/memorial is over, and keeping track of who sent which floral arrangement so thank-you cards can be sent later. If this is not included in a package price, the bereaved family may need to decide how to arrange, track and dispose of the floral arrangements.
  • Flowers are not appropriate in all cases. 800Florals.com provides an overview of flower etiquette[4] for different religious faiths. Flowers are not considered appropriate for a Jewish funeral, for example. See How Much Do Jewish Funerals Cost.
  • It's traditional to include a sympathy card with the flowers. Dick's Flowers lists a few sample sympathy messages[5] . Many experts suggest making sure the florist includes a description of the arrangement as well as who sent them, to make it easier for the bereaved family to keep track.
  • Be aware that many online or 800-telephone floral services take an order, deduct their costs then place an order with a local florist for less than the total amount of the order. The flowers delivered are supposed to resemble the image shown online, but there's no guarantee. (When ordering, some services allow you to specify no substitutions.) FloristDetective.com explains some of the pitfalls of flower wire services [6] . For an out-of-town funeral, many experts recommend having a local florist place an order with a florist in the area of the funeral. There may be a minimal charge ($5-$20) for this service, but it can give more control over the quality of the arrangement.
Additional costs:
  • Local florists may charge a delivery fee of $5-$10, depending on the distance. Most online or 800-number floral services advertise free delivery, but add a shipping/handling/service charge of $10-$15. Ask about extra fees before ordering.
Discounts:
  • Flowers from the garden, carefully arranged in a tall vase, can be personally carried to the funeral or memorial service.
Shopping for funeral flowers:
  • Before ordering flowers, ask if any family members have strong allergies or other concerns. FTD.com explains the possible meanings[7] of different kinds of flowers.
  • Tell the florist about the deceased's interests and hobbies, or if the person had favorite flowers or colors. Explain how and when the flowers will be used (at the front of a funeral or graveside service, on a table with the guest book, etc.). FloristDetective.com provides links to independent local florists[8] . Referrals are also available from the Society of American Florists[9] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Flowers for existing grave
Amount: $75.00
Posted by: GAPeaches in Hartwell, GA.Posted: September 15th, 2021 02:09PM
Type of Flowers: RosesFlorist: Petals

Ordered 12 roses, 6 white, 6 red, in a vase with a blue ribbon for my dad's grave. The roses smelled heavenly and each blossom opened to be about 5 inches across. They lasted for more than a week at the grave, which was in full sun. I thought it was a reasonable price, but the florist did not do any delivery so I had a sibling pick up the flowers and take them to the church cemetery.

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Wake
Amount: $125.00
Posted by: June Anderson in Blue Bell, PA.Posted: June 17th, 2019 08:06AM
Type of Flowers: VaseFlorist: Larsen's

Family members said it wasn't worth $125.00

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Comment On Your Experience With Funeral Flowers
External Resources:
  1. www.ftd.com/sympathy-funeral-ptg/for-the-service/occasion-sympathy/occasion-sympat...
  2. www.dicksflowers.com/html/casket_sprays.html
  3. www.costco.com/
  4. www.800florals.com/care/faiths.asp
  5. www.dicksflowers.com/html/funeral_wreaths.html
  6. www.floristdetective.com/wst_page13.aspx
  7. www.ftd.com/sympathy-funeral-ptg/meaning-of-sympathy-flowers/occasion-sympathy/occ...
  8. www.floristdetective.com/wst_page7.aspx
  9. nationalfloristdirectory.com/
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FAQs

How much should you spend on flowers for a funeral? ›

Typically you can expect to pay in the region of $50.00 – $80.00 for a decent size floral arrangement. Specialist requests for name floral tributes or shaped wreaths can cost anything upwards of $100.00 and a large casket spray can cost between $250 – $700.

Who pays for flowers at a funeral? ›

The Immediate Family Buys the Casket Flowers

This is to give precedence to the honor of being draped in the national flag. Other floral arrangements for other areas of the funeral home or the church can be provided by distant members of the family and friends and acquaintances.

Is it appropriate to buy flowers for a funeral? ›

If you are a member of the immediate family, it is appropriate to send your flowers to the funeral itself, or you may prefer to take your flowers to the graveside. If you are extended family, you can choose whether or not to send funeral flowers to the place of worship or funeral home.

What is the least expensive way to send funeral flowers? ›

Shop around online. While you might be able to work with a local florist to get a lower-cost bouquet to hand-deliver, most local companies charge a delivery fee, which quickly adds up. Instead, shop around online for inexpensive flowers that don't come with any added fees.

How much of your budget should flowers be? ›

"The industry standard has always been that floral is roughly 10% of your overall wedding budget, so a couple having a $75,000 wedding should assume their florals are in the $7,500 range.

Is it OK to give money instead of flowers at a funeral? ›

Money is not an appropriate gift, although exceptions may be made when the family is left in extreme financial difficulty. In that case, friends may wish to pool contributions to make a gift of assistance. The Funeral Service.

What does no flowers at a funeral mean? ›

They are simply giving you the option of either sending them funeral flowers or giving a charitable donation or you can do both. If they don't want funeral flowers, then they should have written “please omit funeral flowers” at the service or, to be blunter, “We don't accept flowers”.

What happens to all the flowers after a funeral? ›

After the service, close friends or family will usually take any flowers home straight away or collect them a day or two later. The average flower arrangement will last up to two weeks before being thrown away or composted by the person who took it home.

What happens to casket spray after funeral? ›

After the burial, it's customary to leave the casket spray on the gravesite in remembrance. Or, you could offer close family members a single flower from it to have as a keepsake.

Do you put your name on funeral flowers? ›

These are kind and succinct messages to show your sympathy. In addition to this, always write your first name and last name, even if you know the family well. It's important to sign your full name so there is no confusion about who sent the floral arrangement.

What is the most commonly purchased funeral flower? ›

Roses are typically considered one of the most popular funeral flowers. The gift of a rose is a universal expression of showing love for someone close to you, whether they be a family member or a close friend. Roses can also represent qualities of strength, balance, and purity.

What is a good amount to send for funeral? ›

How Much Should You Give? The traditional gift is the amount you would have spent on flowers for the service, generally between $50 and $100.

Why are sending flowers so expensive? ›

Why does something you could just pluck out of the ground cost so. There are several reasons: flowers are delicate, high maintenance, perishable, difficult to grow, often imported and can cross continents as they make their way from field to florist.

How can I reduce the cost of flowers? ›

Only Use a Few Varieties of Flowers So You or Your Florist Can Buy in Bulk. Using one to three varieties can really help to stretch your budget. If you want several different types of flowers, you or your florist will often still have to buy in bulk, meaning there will be lots of extras.

How do you calculate floral prices? ›

Price = wholesale product cost x 3 + your time to make it

'Wholesale product cost' includes cost of sundries (ribbon/wrapping) but excludes any sales tax you paid on those items. 'Time' is the hourly rate you would charge your services out at (usually x 2.5-3 of wages paid).

Is it rude to put money in a sympathy card? ›

Consider Sending Memorial Money

You don't have to send a gift along with the card, but you certainly can. Many people send flowers, but it's also really easy to put money on the card. When you send the money, let the family know you want them to honor their loved one in whatever way they see fit.

Do you put money in a funeral card? ›

Tucking cash or a check inside a sympathy card is a great way to offer support. Include a check if you mail the card. You may only want to include cash if you present the card to the family at the visitation or funeral.

Why do people give cash at funerals? ›

It was once common for close friends and family members to give money to a family when someone died. This practice existed in part because handling all the details of death can be expensive, and loved ones often contributed to defray the cost. I think it's perfectly fine to do so today, if you are discreet.

What is the etiquette for funeral donations? ›

Many surviving loved ones and attendees place cash in sympathy cards and then drop off those cards at the funeral or memorial service. If the immediate family requested donations for a specific charity, cause or organization, you should not make your gift in cash directly to the family.

What to do with money given at a funeral? ›

Ways You Can Spend Donations to Memorialize Your Loved One
  1. Donate to charity. One of the best ways to put funeral money to good use is to donate in someone's name. ...
  2. Plant a tree or greenery. ...
  3. Create a scholarship. ...
  4. Donate to a place of worship. ...
  5. Host a dinner or party. ...
  6. Design a memorial diamond. ...
  7. Plan a scattering ceremony.
Jan 17, 2023

How do you pay respects at a funeral? ›

It is customary to show your respects by viewing the deceased if the body is present and the casket is open. You may wish to say a silent prayer for, or meditate about, the deceased at this time. In some cases the family may escort you to the casket. The length of your visit at the wake is a matter of discretion.

What does a yellow rose mean at a funeral? ›

In the context of a funeral service, white roses symbolise purity, humility and innocence, whereas red express love and respect and pink represents gratefulness to the deceased. A yellow rose is often given by friends to denote their deep ties, while the traditional dark crimson rose suggests deep sorrow and grief.

What can I put on a casket instead of flowers? ›

What to Put on a Casket Instead of Flowers
  1. Casket wraps. Wraps are becoming widely popular thanks to the ability to wrap a full casket in whatever design is desired. ...
  2. Flag or banner. ...
  3. Decor. ...
  4. Photographs. ...
  5. Quilt. ...
  6. Stuffed animals. ...
  7. Sports jersey. ...
  8. Special items.
Apr 22, 2022

What do yellow flowers mean when someone dies? ›

Dark crimson roses denote grief and sorrow. Yellow roses are given by friends of the deceased to symbolize their strong ties.

How long are flowers left on a grave after a funeral? ›

Funeral flowers from graveside burial services are usually removed in less than a week. Since fresh floral arrangements are typically used for a funeral, those displays are removed by the staff within a week.

What is the etiquette for immediate family at a funeral? ›

At the funeral service, family traditionally sit on the right-hand side while friends, colleagues and other mourners sit on the left. Immediate family and close friends sit in the front few rows.

Why do cemeteries remove flowers? ›

Funeral Flowers are removed on the second day following the funeral service, or as deemed necessary to ensure the safety of visitors or to avoid hindrance of cemetery operations. Families wishing to keep funeral flowers are advised and encouraged to retrieve them from the gravesite before leaving the cemetery.

What flower means goodbye? ›

Chrysanthemum. White and yellow chrysanthemums are widely used to say goodbye, particularly in Asia.

What does pink mean at a funeral? ›

Pink: admiration, appreciation, elegance, grace, love (often used at the funerals of women or children)

What color represents mourning? ›

Black – Western World

Wearing dark colours for mourning has long been a tradition in many parts of the western world, in particular large parts of Europe and North America. The association of the colour black with death and loss is centuries old and is believed to have originated during Roman times.

Can you touch the deceased at an open casket? ›

OPEN-CASKET FUNERAL ETIQUETTE

If they have an open casket viewing, make sure you follow proper funeral etiquette: DON'T touch the body under any circ*mstances. Sometimes the casket has a glass to prevent this from happening.

Does water seep into caskets? ›

The caskets and their surface vaults are sealed airtight, so pressure builds inside them when a hurricane or flash flood covers them in water. Moisture weakens the vault seal, and eventually the water begins to bubble with dead air—the tell-tale sign a casket is ready to pop out of its grave, Hunter said.

Do caskets let water in? ›

Caskets, be they of metal or wood, are sealed so that they protect the body. The sealing will keep the elements, air, and moisture from getting inside the coffin.

Is it rude not to send flowers to a funeral? ›

As we've already noted, older generations might be surprised to find how many funerals are requesting donations—and how few people send flowers these days. It's not rude or inconsiderate. In fact, if the grieving parties are requesting donations, it's actually better etiquette to send the requested form of donation.

What is an appropriate amount for a funeral card? ›

Generally, it would depend on factors like your closeness to the deceased or family, your own financial ability, and the family's perceived need. The most common minimum amount is $30. From there, you can increase the amount if you'd like, as long as the initial digits make up an odd number.

What is the most expensive thing about a funeral? ›

A casket often is the single most expensive item you'll buy if you plan a "traditional" full-service funeral. Caskets vary widely in style and price and are sold primarily for their visual appeal.

How much does the average person spend on a funeral? ›

The average funeral costs between $7,000 and $12,000. The viewing, burial, service fees, transport, casket, embalming, and other prep are included in this price. The average cost of a funeral with cremation is $6,000 to $7,000.

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