The perfect flower arrangements for funeral urns

Flower arrangements play a significant role in funerals, serving as a poignant expression of sympathy and a beautiful tribute to the deceased. In the context of urn funerals, selecting the right floral arrangements can be especially meaningful. This guide provides detailed insights into choosing the perfect flower arrangements for urn funerals, ensuring that your tribute is both elegant and heartfelt.

The Role of Flower Arrangements for Funeral Urns

Flowers symbolize love, respect, and remembrance. At funerals where an urn is present, flowers add a touch of grace and beauty to the solemn occasion. They can help frame the urn, drawing attention to the deceased and create a focal point at the service. They also help create a peaceful and comforting environment for grieving friends and family members.

The Symbolism of Flowers

Flowers have been used for centuries in various cultures as symbols of life, death, and the continuum between them. Different flowers carry different meanings, making the choice of blooms for an urn funeral a deeply personal and expressive decision.

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Creating a Comforting Environment

The presence of flowers can transform the atmosphere of a funeral service. Their natural beauty and fragrance can provide comfort and a sense of peace to mourners, helping to alleviate some of the sorrow and pain associated with the loss.

Paying Unique Tributes To The Deceased

Flowers can be customized to pay a unique tribute to the deceased. By picking certain colors or floral sculptures it helps to remember your loved ones as they were and the passions they had in life.

Types of Flower Arrangements for Urn Funerals

1. Flower Wreaths For Urns At Funerals

Urn wreaths are circular floral arrangements designed to encircle the urn. They provide a stunning and elegant frame for the urn, symbolizing eternal life and continuity. Circular wreaths can be custom made to suit both your flower choice and color choice depending on your loved ones or your family wishes.

Urn wreaths are often the centerpiece of floral displays, drawing attention to the urn. The circular shape of the wreath symbolizes eternity and the cyclical nature of life and death. This makes urn wreaths a popular choice for those seeking a meaningful and visually appealing arrangement.

Features of a funeral wreath for an urn:

• Shape of a Wreath: Circular
• Best Flowers to Choose: Roses, lilies, orchids, or seasonal flowers
• Accent Colours: Greenery such as ivy or ferns
• Placement: Behind the urn so that the urn is framed within the circle of the wreath
• Things to consider: You may need to provide the florist with the dimensions or the urn so they can ensure that the urn will be framed by the wreath correctly.

2. Casket Floral Sprays Adapted for Urns At Funerals

While traditionally used for caskets, floral sprays can be adapted for urns at funerals. These large, lush arrangements can rest, on top, behind or beside the urn, creating a beautiful flower arrangements for funeral urns.

Adapting floral casket sprays for funeral urns involves modifying the size and shape to suit the smaller scale of the urn. This type of arrangement can still retain its grandeur and elegance, providing a lush and full display that honors the deceased in a significant way.

Features:

• Shape: Elongated
• Popular Flower Choices: Carnations, chrysanthemums, gladioli
• Accents Colors & Decoration: Ribbons, cascading greenery
• Placement: Behind, in front or on top of the urn so that the urn
• Things to consider: If you want the floral spray to sit on top of the funeral urn then you may need to provide the florist with the dimensions or the urn so they can ensure that the floral spray will be the correct size to sit on top of the urn

3.Floral Garlands

Garlands can be draped around the urn or across the table where the urn is placed. They add a touch of elegance and continuity to the display.

Floral garlands for funeral urns are versatile and can be customized to fit various display styles. Whether they are draped in a cascading fashion from the top of the urn or arranged in neat loops, garlands add a touch of sophistication and continuity to the floral display. They can also be intertwined with personal items or keepsakes, adding an extra layer of personalization.

Features:

• Shape: Lengths of interconnected flowers
• Popular Flower Choices: Jasmine, Marigold, Roses
• Accents & Decorations: Beads, leaves, personal items like rings, necklaces, ribbons etc
• Placement: Behind, in front or on top of the urn
• Things to consider: If you want the floral spray to sit on top of the funeral urn then you may need to provide the florist with the dimensions or the urn so they can ensure that the flower garland is the correct size to sit on top of the urn

4.Floral Table Arrangements For Urns

Table arrangements are versatile and flowers can be placed around the urn along with pictures, jewellery or other personal items belonging to the deceased. Floral displays for table arrangements can be made in various shapes and sizes to suit the overall arrangement.

Floral table arrangements for funeral urns provide flexibility in terms of design and placement. They can be tailored to match the overall theme of the service and can include a mix of flowers, greenery, and other decorative elements. These arrangements can also be designed to complement the urn without overpowering it, ensuring a balanced and harmonious display.

Features:

• Shape: All shapes
• Popular Flowers: Seasonal blooms, roses, daisies
• Accents & Decorations: Candles, decorative stones, pictures, jewellery & other personal items belonging to the deceased.
• Placement: Versatile arrangements can be created to suit the urn
• Other items to include: When creating a table arrangement for a funeral you could also place memory books or memory jars allowing people to share memories about the deceased.

5.Single Flower Stems

For a minimalist and elegant look, single flower stems can be placed around the urn. This arrangement is simple yet impactful, focusing on the beauty of individual blooms.

Single flower stems are a perfect choice as a flower arrangement for a funeral urn for those who prefer simplicity and elegance. Each stem can be chosen for its specific meaning, creating a personalized and symbolic display. This type of arrangement allows the natural beauty of each flower to stand out, providing a quiet and contemplative tribute.

Features:

• Shape: Single stems
• Flowers: Roses, lilies, tulips
• Accents: Minimal greenery
• Placement: On top or next to the urn
  

6.Flower Clusters Next To Urns

Flower clusters are small groupings of flowers arranged together. They can be strategically placed around the urn or along the display table.

Flower cluster arrangements for funeral urns offer an intimate way to showcase flowers. These compact arrangements can be placed at various points around the urn, creating a cohesive and balanced look. Floral clusters can be composed of different types of flowers, adding texture and depth to the display.

Features:

• Shape: Compact clusters
• Popular Flower Choices: Hydrangeas, peonies, gardenias
• Accents: Soft greenery, baby’s breath
• Placement: Next to the urn

7.Hanging Floral Arrangements Above Urns

Hanging floral arrangements add a unique dimension to the funeral decor. These arrangements can be suspended above the urn, creating a beautiful overhead display.

Hanging floral arrangements will create a dramatic and ethereal effect for the funeral urn, drawing the eyes upward and adding a sense of elevation to the funeral display. These arrangements can be designed to cascade down gently, framing the urn in a delicate shower of flowers and greenery.

Features:

• Shape: Cascading or spherical
• Popular Flowers: Wisteria, ivy, amaranthus
• Accents: Ribbons, beads, fairy lights
• Placement: Hanging from the ceiling
• Things to consider: You may need to check with the venue to see if they have the ability to hang a floral arrangement from above.

8.Floral Sculptures

Floral sculptures are artistic arrangements that can be shaped into various forms, such as hearts, crosses, or custom designs that reflect the personality of the deceased.

Floral sculptures for funeral urns offer a highly personalized and creative way to honor the deceased. These custom designs can incorporate favorite flowers, colors, and motifs, resulting in a truly unique tribute that reflects the individual’s life and legacy.

Features:

• Shape: Custom shapes and designs
• Popular Flowers: Mixed blooms depending on design
• Accents: Moss, branches, decorative elements
• Placement: You can place these next to, behind or below the urn.

8. Funeral Floral Bouquets

Funeral flower bouquets are floral arrangements that can be placed next to the urn or given to family members as a token of condolence.

Funeral flower bouquets are a thoughtful and personal way to express condolences. These arrangements can be designed to match the overall theme of the service and urn and can be put in vases or tied with string and lain next to the urn.

Features:

• Flowers: Lilies, roses, snapdragons
• Accents: Ribbons, message cards
• Placement: In a vase next to the urn or tied with string lying next to the urn

9.Potted Plants

Potted plants can be placed next to or on either side of a funeral urn. Potted plants at a funeral offer a lasting tribute. They can be taken home and nurtured as a living memory of the deceased or even planted in the garden as part of a memorial ceremony for the deceased.

Potted plants provide a long term way to remember a loved one. Potted plant arrangements can be incorporated into the funeral display by framing the urn and later taken home, where they can continue to grow and flourish as a lasting reminder of the deceased.

Features:

• Shape: Potted plant
• Plants: Peace lilies, orchids, succulents
• Decoration: Decorative pots
• Things to consider: If you plan on planting the plant at home, make sure the plant or flower you choose is one that will grow in your soil and one you can maintain longterm.
  

Memory Lane Pathway

A Memory Lane Pathway is a unique floral arrangement that creates a serene and reflective space around the urn, guiding mourners along a path of remembrance.

A Memory Lane Pathway offers a tranquil and contemplative way to honor the deceased. The pathway can be lined with flowers and accented with personal items like photographs or small mementos that reflect the life and passions of the loved one. This arrangement not only provides a beautiful visual display but also invites mourners to walk along the path, reflecting on cherished memories and celebrating the life of the deceased. The pathway serves as a meaningful tribute, creating a space for personal reflection and shared moments of remembrance.

Features:

• Shape: A winding or straight pathway
• Flowers: Roses, daisies, lavender, and other blooms
• Accents: Pebbles, candles, photographs, and mementos

Selecting Flower Arrangements Based on Symbolism

Every flower carries its own symbolism. Selecting funeral flowers based on their meanings can add a personal touch to your flower arrangements for a funeral urn. Below we have listed some of the most popular funeral flowers and their meanings.

Popular Funeral Flowers and Their Meanings

• Roses: Love, respect, and admiration
• Lilies: Purity and restored innocence
• Orchids: Eternal love and beauty
• Carnations: Eternal remembrance and affection
• Chrysanthemums: Honor and sympathy
• Hydrangeas: Gratitude and heartfelt emotions
• Tulips: Grace and elegance
• Daffodils: Renewal and new beginnings
• Peonies: Compassion and healing
• Sunflowers: Loyalty and adoration

Choosing flowers with specific meanings can help convey your feelings and add depth to the flower arrangements for funeral urns. For example, including lilies in the arrangement can symbolize the purity and innocence of the deceased, while roses can represent the love and respect you hold for them.

Customizing Flower Arrangements

Customization allows you to create a unique and personal tribute, it helps to inject the personality of your loved one into the floral arrangement. Here are some ways to customize your floral arrangements to pay tribute to the deceased

• Flag Colours: If your loved ones loved to travel or had heritage from a particular country they were proud of then you could incorporate those colors into the floral display. For instance, if your loved one had Irish heritage and was immensly proud of that fact or visited Ireland often then the arrangement you make for their urn could be green, white and orange.
• Team Colors: If your loved one was passionate about sports and had a favorite sports team, then you could incorporate the colors of that sports team into the floral arrangement.
• Unusual Floral Sculptures: Florists will cater to most shapes for a funeral. The most common shapes for floral sculptures at a funeral are hearts and crosses or words such as “mum” or “dad”. However, if your loved ones were passionate about one particular thing then florists will try their best to cater for that sculpture.
  
  For example, my uncle was a well known rally driver, for his funeral a race car was sculpted and the flowers used were his teams colors. My mother, on the other hand, was a massive cat lover. For her funeral I arranged for three cat sculptures to be made with her favorite flower colors.
  
  Everyone in this world has different passions whether it’s music, sports, travel or animals and almost anything can be made as a floral sculpture to honor their memory.

Customisation helps to honor the memory of your loved one. It injects their personality into the service and helps to pay a special tribute to them on the day.

Incorporating Personal Items into the Flower Arrangements for Funeral Urns

Personal items such as photos, small mementos, or their favorite jewelry can be integrated into the flower arrangements for funeral urns to add a unique touch.

Ideas for Personalization:

• Photos: Small framed photos or photo charms can be included in the arrangements. They can be placed in front or around the flower arrangements for funeral urns.
• Mementos: Items such as favorite books, hobbies, or symbols of the deceased’s interests can be incorporated within or around the floral arrangements.
• Keepsakes: Personal items like jewelry, letters, or other significant objects can be displayed alongside the flowers or in some cases intertwined into the flowers in the case you are using flower garlands.

What to do with flower displays for urns after a funeral

Once a funeral has been completed then a common question many people have is what they should do with the flowers after the funeral. One of the most beautiful things you can do with funeral flowers is preserve them. Preserving funeral flowers can help you keep the memories alive long after the service and you can use them to create things like candles, art work, memorial jewellery and much more.

To find inspiration on what to do with funeral flowers after a funeral, we recommend reading our post: What to do with funeral flowers after a funeral

Some of the most common methods people use to press flowers are:

Pressing

Pressing flowers between the pages of a heavy book can preserve their beauty and color for years to come.

Steps:

1. Choose flat flowers like pansies or violets.
2. Place the flowers between parchment paper.
3. Press them in a heavy book for several weeks.

Once flowers have been pressed they can be framed or kept safely in folders or envelopes.

Drying

Drying flowers by hanging them upside down in a dark, dry place is another effective method to preserve funeral flowers.

Steps:

1. Bundle the flowers together with a rubber band.
2. Hang them upside down in a dry, dark place.
3. Allow them to dry completely, which may take several weeks.

After funeral flowers have been dried they can be kept safely in folders or used within crafts to create candles, art or jewellery.

Resin Preservation

Embedding flowers in resin creates a durable and lasting keepsake.

Steps:

1. Dry the flowers completely.
2. Arrange them in a mold.
3. Pour resin over the flowers and let it cure.

Amazon has a range of different moulds you could use and if you are preserving flowers in resin then you could create coasters, placemats or pieces of art.

Conclusion

Selecting the right flower arrangements for an urn is a deeply personal and meaningful process. By understanding the different types of arrangements, the symbolism of various flowers, and the ways to customize the display, you can create a beautiful and heartfelt tribute to your loved one. The presence of flowers at a funeral not only honors the deceased but also provides comfort and solace to those who are grieving, making the ceremony a truly memorable and healing experience.