Funeral flowers and decorations

The names of the arrangements and what they are for

Funeral flowers go by many names, and they are easily confused. The differences are nonetheless clear: one arrangement belongs on top of the coffin, others are laid beside the coffin or at the grave, and the urn has its own smaller decoration. The most common forms are listed below. All of them can be made from any flowers, and the florist shapes them to the ceremony and your wishes. If you do not know which arrangement suits your situation, tell us your relationship to the deceased and the nature of the ceremony, and we will suggest one.

• Coffin spray: a long, low arrangement on the coffin lid; the closest family's arrangement.
• Urn arrangement: a small, rounded arrangement beside or around the urn at a cremation.
• Funeral sheaf: a bound, often teardrop-shaped arrangement with a ribbon; the greeting of relatives and friends.
• Funeral bouquet: a loosely tied bouquet, usually with a card; the greeting of friends and colleagues.
• Wreath: a circular arrangement with a ribbon; the greeting of the extended family, communities and workplaces.
• A single rose: placed in a vase set in front of the coffin; suitable for every guest.

Who brings which

The custom is established, although nothing is compulsory. The coffin spray is provided by the closest family, usually the spouse and children together, and is brought to the chapel before the ceremony. Siblings, grandchildren and other relatives bring a sheaf or a wreath, friends and colleagues a bouquet or a sheaf, and workplaces, associations and other communities often a wreath with the community's name printed on the ribbon. More and more often guests bring just one rose, which is placed in a vase set in front of the coffin; it is a good choice for anyone who does not want to order an arrangement. If the family asks for a donation instead of flowers, this is said in the death notice or the invitation, and the wish should be respected. If you are unsure what to bring, a sheaf or a single rose is always appropriate.

Colours and the most common flowers

White is the traditional colour of funeral flowers, and white roses, lilies and calla lilies are the most common choices. Nothing prevents coloured flowers, however: red roses are a common choice by the spouse or children, and the deceased's favourite colour or flower is always justified. The most common species are rose, lily, calla, carnation, chrysanthemum, hydrangea and orchid, used alongside greenery such as eucalyptus, ivy or conifer. The season is worth considering: in spring and summer seasonal flowers are affordable and long-lasting, in winter conifer and hardy cut flowers are the safer choice. The coffin spray and the family's other arrangements should share the same tones so that the whole is calm. The florist is glad to advise, and you can give only a colour and a mood and leave the species to them.

Ribbon texts and cards

A wreath and a sheaf carry a ribbon, a bouquet usually a card. The ribbon carries a short greeting and the names of the senders or the name of the community; the card has room for a few sentences of your own. The text may be short. The same text suits both an arrangement laid at the coffin and a bouquet brought to the memorial reception. When laying the flower at the coffin, many say a short greeting aloud, such as a thank-you or a goodbye, or stand for a moment in silence; both are equally appropriate. Below are examples of ribbon texts you can use as they are or adapt. The florist prints the text on the ribbon, and we pass it on with the order.

• Rest in peace
• Thank you for everything
• A last greeting
• Remembered with love
• With longing
• With gratitude for the years we shared, your colleagues

When and in which order the flowers are laid

The coffin spray is already in place on the coffin when the ceremony begins; the florist or we bring it to the chapel before the guests arrive. The other flowers are laid beside the coffin either at the start or at the end of the blessing, or only at the grave; the pastor agrees the order with the family beforehand and announces it at the ceremony. The closest family lay their flowers first, then other relatives, friends and representatives of communities. The person laying a flower walks to the coffin, sets down the arrangement or the rose, says a short greeting if they wish and returns to their seat; if the ribbon carries a text, it may be read aloud. Wreath ribbons are turned so that the text is visible. If the procession goes straight to the grave after the blessing, the flowers are carried behind the coffin and laid at the grave. The verger guides the practical order, so no one needs to remember it by heart.

Flowers at a cremation and at the urn lowering

When the deceased is cremated, the coffin stays in the chapel after the blessing or is carried to the car, and the flowers remain in the chapel. What happens to the flowers after that is agreed with the parish: they can be taken to the memorial reception, to the family grave or to the memorial grove's common memorial, or left for the parish to handle. We tell you the chapel's practice before the ceremony, so the decision is made in time. If the coffin is carried out, the coffin spray is fastened to the lid so that it stays in place while carried. For the urn lowering, held a few weeks after the cremation, a small urn arrangement is usually ordered, and the closest family often place single roses in the grave with the urn. The verger guides the urn lowering, and the closest family are usually present; in the scattering area the verger scatters the ashes without the family, so no flowers are taken there.

Flowers at the memorial reception and on the memorial table

At the memorial reception there are fewer flowers than at the blessing. The memorial table is laid with a white cloth, a candle, a photograph of the deceased and a small arrangement or bouquet; we bring the memorial table and candle as part of our service. No flowers are laid at the reception, but the bouquets and sheaves brought from the blessing can be placed on the tables or around the memorial table, if this has been agreed with the parish. The condolence cards and ribbons are often read aloud at the reception, by a relative or by whoever leads the gathering, and it is worth making a list of them for the thank-yous. If the reception is held at a restaurant, we tell the partner restaurant which flowers will be brought there. After the reception the family may take the flowers home or to the grave.

Ordering, delivery and prices

Flowers are ordered 2 to 4 days before the ceremony. We work with two long-established florists, and you can order the family's flowers through us while we agree the rest: you tell us the arrangement, colours, ribbon text and delivery place, and we pass on the order. The flowers are delivered straight to the chapel or church and set in place before the ceremony begins. Our coffin spray costs 185 euros and is included in the Klassinen and Harmonia packages. Prices of the other arrangements depend on the flowers, size and ribbon; below are our florists' indicative prices, and the final price is confirmed when ordering. Flowers are funeral costs deductible in the estate inventory, so keep the receipts.

• Coffin spray: 185 euros from us; at the florists between 150 and 350 euros.
• Funeral sheaf: between 80 and 160 euros.
• Funeral bouquet: between 35 and 90 euros.
• Wreath: between 120 and 250 euros.
• Urn arrangement: between 60 and 130 euros.

When fewer flowers are wished for

Flowers are not compulsory, and their number says nothing about the depth of grief. Many families ask in the death notice that the deceased be remembered with a donation to a cause important to them instead of flowers, or ask guests to bring only a single rose. The wish is written clearly in the notice or invitation, for example in the form instead of flowers, and it applies to the guests, not to the closest family's coffin spray. Another way to reduce is to choose seasonal flowers and a smaller arrangement: a sheaf in the 80 euro range is as fitting a greeting as a large wreath. If the deceased themselves wished for certain flowers at their funeral, or none at all, the wish is followed; flower wishes recorded in a pre-plan are kept at our office. The choices that are lighter on the environment are collected in the guide Funerals that spare the environment.

What you can leave to us

For the flowers it is enough to tell us the colours, the mood and the ribbon text. We pass the order to the florist, arrange delivery to the chapel at the right time, bring the memorial table and candle to the reception and settle with the parish what is done with the flowers after a cremation. We also tell guests who ask us what to bring. The coffin spray, 185 euros, can be chosen at the same time as the coffin so that the tones match; samples and pictures are on show at our office. Call 09 6129 890 or book a planning visit at Annankatu 12; the visit is free of charge. You can also place the flower order in the family's shared online space, where every relative sees what has been ordered and what it costs.

Frequently asked questions