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Coady Florist - Cambridge, MA florist

How to Choose funeral Flowers | Coady Florist

Funeral and sympathy Flowers are one of dan's specialties

This is where experience matters.

Dan takes the time to listen, to learn about the person who has passed, their personality, their favorite flowers or colors, and what they meant to those around them. While designing, he keeps the person and their stories at the heart of his work.

From traditional casket sprays and standing sprays to custom funeral wreaths, Dan works closely with families to create a tribute that feels exactly right.

Don't see exactly what you're imagining? Contact us directly—we are always honored to create a custom arrangement tailored to your family's unique vision.


Photo: Dan with his mother

Photo: Faithful Blessings White Lilies in Cross Vase, Deluxe

How to Choose the Right Flowers for a Funeral or Memorial Service

  • RELATIONSHIP: Match the arrangement type to your bond.

  • PERSONALITY: Reflect on their unique character and traits.

  • COLOR: Choose a meaningful or favorite palette.

  • Flower TYPES: Select varieties based on symbolism or preference.

  • Ribbon BANNER: Decide if you need an inscribed banner.

Photo: Standing Spray, White Lilies, White Orchids, Red Roses

When selecting, Consider Your Relationship With the deceased:

  • CLOSE FAMILY MEMBERS begin with the casket cover spray or urn wreath, then decide on complimentary shaped pieces like a wreath, heart, or cross as well as easel standing sprays, traditional baskets, and vases. The casket pillow is sometimes added in honor of grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

  • FRIENDS, COWORKERS, NEIGHBORS, and extended FAMILY choose a sympathy arrangement tailored to their relationship or personality. This includes traditional basket container arrangements, wicker baskets, vase arrangements, standing sprays or a wreath tribute.


Shop ALL Sympathy

Photo: White Lilies and Roses Round Wreath, Deluxe

Think About the Personality of the Person

A personalized floral arrangement is a beautiful way to honor your loved one's unique journey. We can customize any design to reflect their personality, hobbies, favorite sports teams, nationality, or their passions. Whether you want a vibrant display for a colorful life, a rustic garden style for an avid gardener, elegant whites for a serene nature, or patriotic colors to honor a veteran we will seamlessly build their favorite blooms and meaningful colors directly into the tribute.

Personalizing the flowers can make the tribute feel more meaningful and impactful.



CUSTOM Sympathy Wreaths
(617) 876-1000

Photo: Garden Style Casket Cover Spray

Colors

Traditional & Peaceful Tones:

  • 🤍 White: Peace & Remembrance. Represents: peace, purity, and the innocence of the soul. 

  • 🩷 Pink: Affection & Appreciation. Represents: gratitude, grace, and tender remembrance. 

  • 💙 Blue: Peace & Serenity. Represents: calmness, trust, loyalty and tranquility.

Bold & Respectful Tones:

  • ❤️ Red: Love & Passion. Represents: romance, strength, respect, and devotion.

  • 💜 Purple: Admiration & Elegance. Represents: dignity and honor.

Warm & Uplifting Tones:

  • 💛 Yellow & 🧡 Orange: Friendship & Happiness. Represents: hope and joy. 

  • 💚 Green: Renewal & Growth. Represents: nature, resilience, and renewal of life.

Flowers

  • 🌹 Roses– Love & Affection. Meaning can change with the color.

  • 🌷Lilies – Peace & Innocence. Classic funeral flower. 

  • 🌸 Carnations – Love & Affection. 

  • 🌺 Chrysanthemums – Common traditional funeral flowers

  • 🪻Hydrangeas – Full, soft blooms in larger arrangements

  • 💐 Orchids – Admiration & Remembrance.

  • 🌼 Daisies & Sunflowers – Happiness & Innocence

  •  🌿 Delphinium, Snapdragons, and other seasonal blooms – Adds color, height, and a garden-style feeling.


Funeral Ribbon-Banner

When sending a floral tribute to a funeral or memorial service, one of the personal touches you can add is a ribbon banner draped across the arrangement with words indicating your relationship to the deceased. It is typically one or two words. 

The Relationship: The ribbon usually states your familial or personal relationship to the deceased. For example, if you are honoring your husband, the ribbon simply reads "Husband" or "Beloved Husband". Other common designations include Mother, Father, Grandmother, Brother, Son, Uncle, Cousin, or Dear Friend.

You may add a card message for a longer heartfelt message to the family.

Key Tips for Coordinating as a Family

  • Select One Point Person: Designate one family member to communicate with the florist. This prevents duplicate orders (like two casket sprays) and ensures a cohesive color scheme.

  • Choose a Unified Palette: Combining colors—such as classic red roses and white lilies—gives all the distinct pieces (the spray, standing easel, and baskets) a harmonious, intentional look in the chapel or viewing room.

  • Keep Ribbons Simple: You can customize pieces with ribbons dedicated to titles like "Beloved Mother" or "Loving Grandfather," or keep the ribbons solid and unwritten for a timeless, elegant aesthetic.

  • Plan for After the Service: Easel stands and wire frames generally stay with the funeral home, but small basket arrangements, casket pillows, and table pieces can easily be taken home by family members after the service.


Photo: An example of an immediate family floral setup in red and white, featuring a half-casket spray, a standing heart easel, a standing spray, a floral cross pillow inside the lid, and a wicker basket arrangement.

Casket Cover Sprays

A Casket Cover Spray is a large floral arrangement designed to be placed directly on the casket. It is typically selected by the closest family member(s). It rests directly on top of the casket lid. Half-Size Casket Sprays rests on the lower portion, covering roughly 3 feet of the casket. It is best for open-casket viewings. Full-Size Casket Sprays extend across the entire length of the lid. Best for closed-casket services.

Shop All CASKETS
Casket Pillow

A Sympathy Casket Pillow is designed to rest inside the casket, as a comforting focal point during viewings and memorial services. Typically purchased by immediate family members in honor of grandchildren or great-grandchildren.

Shop All PILLOWSCremation Urn Wreath

An Urn Wreath is a beautiful way to create a meaningful focal point for a cremation service. This specialized floral arrangement gracefully encircles the base of the urn, highlighting its presence on the altar or presentation table. By framing the vessel in flowers, it transforms the display into a dignified, prominent tribute that beautifully honors your loved one's memory. Typically the immediate family member(s) order the urn wreath.

Shop All CREMATION URN WREATHSStanding Spray

A standing spray is an upright floral display presented on an easel near the casket or around the service room. Highly visible and commanding, these prominent arrangements bring beauty and comfort to services. Standing sprays are an ideal way for groups, such as coworkers, organizations, or extended family to honor the deceased.

Shop All STANDING SPRAYSWreaths

Funeral Wreaths are a continuous circular shape symbolizing eternal life; the cycle of life. They can be traditional and formal or customized around a particular theme, color, flower, or personal interest. Best for friends, extended family, community organizations, or congregations. 

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Hearts

The Heart is a classic symbol of love. Hearts can be customized around a particular theme, color, flower, or personal interest. Immediate family members or close friends send this style.

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Crosses

Funeral Cross Wreaths act as an ornate tribute to the deceased’s faith and religious beliefs, symbolizing hope in the resurrection and indicating that they are now at rest with God. Close relatives, church groups, or godparents/godchildren send the cross.

Shop All CROSSES

Baskets - Wicker & Traditional Containers

Basket Arrangements are highly favored because they are easy for the family to transport to the graveside, the reception, or back to their private residence after the services conclude. Basket Arrangements are sent by anyone, family, neighbors, casual acquaintances, or coworkers.

Shop All BASKETS

Vase Arrangements

Vase Arrangement are sent to funeral homes but many times, they are delivered straight to the family's home. Vase Arrangements are sent by friends, associates, or relatives.

Shop All Sympathy VASES

Plants

A plant is a versatile and deeply meaningful gesture for anyone wishing to comfort a grieving family. Highly practical and long-lasting, these living memorials keep the memory of the deceased close to heart. Plants can be delivered to funeral homes, memorial service, or sent directly to the family's home as a personal token of love and support. Anyone wishing to express sympathy send plants.

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Custom Designs & Special Pieces

We will work with you on custom pieces reflecting your loved ones personality or adding a photo to a wreath. Call us at 617-876-1000 or visit us at 1540 Cambridge Street, Cambridge MA 02139 to discuss your ideas.

Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

How do I order flowers for a funeral or memorial service?
ONLINE: https://cambridgeflorist.com/choosing-funeral-flowers/ PHONE: 617-876-1000 IN PERSON: 1540 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 01890
Can I customize the Sympathy arrangement or add a sympathy banner?
• Yes. You can add a ribbon banner (e.g., "Beloved Mother," "In Loving Memory") or request specific flower colors and styles during checkout in the special instructions. • For special custom requests, please call the shop at 617-876-1000 so our designers can create a personal tribute.
Where should you send sympathy flowers?
• TO THE SERVICE, Funeral Home, Church, or Memorial Venue: Best for formal pieces that honor the deceased publicly. Recommended Arrangements: Large standing sprays, wreaths, casket sprays, formal floor baskets, as well as smaller wicker baskets, potted plants, and elegant vase arrangements. • TO THE FAMILY HOME, Before or After the Service: Best for comforting gifts that show ongoing personal support and love during the grieving process. Recommended Arrangements: Cozy sympathy wicker baskets, long-lasting potted plants, or gentle vase arrangements that are easy to display in a home setting.
Do you deliver sympathy arrangements directly to funeral homes and services?
Yes, we provide specialized delivery services for sympathy and funeral arrangements directly to funeral homes, churches, and celebration-of-life venues throughout the Greater Boston communities. When ordering funeral flowers, please specify the name of the deceased, the name of the venue, and the exact start time of the service at checkout. Our delivery team coordinates directly with local funeral directors to ensure that your standing sprays, wreaths, or casket tributes are delivered and beautifully set up two hours before the families arrive.
When will sympathy flowers be delivered to the venue?
We coordinate directly with funeral directors and venue staff to ensure arrangements arrive 2 hours before families arrive. This ensures everything is set up, fresh, and beautifully displayed.
What if I need funeral flowers delivered today or on short notice?
We do our best to accommodate same-day funeral deliveries. Because funeral directors require arrangements at least two hours before the families arrive, please call us directly at 617-876-1000 so we can create your piece(s) immediately and coordinate timely delivery. 617-876-1000

We are here to help, call us at 617-876-1000

Choosing the right funeral flowers is a deeply personal decision, and there is no single correct choice. Whether you opt for a grand standing spray from a group or a simple arrangement featuring their favorite color, the most meaningful tribute is one that comes from the heart. If you are still unsure which arrangement best celebrates your loved one's unique life, our compassionate team is always here to guide you through the selection process and handle every detail with care. No matter which arrangement you choose, the beauty of flowers offers a profound message of comfort and support when words aren't enough. We invite you to explore our funeral flower collection to find the perfect tribute. If you need assistance making a selection or would like to request a custom design, please reach out to our team, we are here to help you honor your loved one beautifully.