Funeral and Sympathy Flowers Guide: What to Send, Wreaths vs Sprays, and Local Delivery (Skelmersdale & Aintree)
When someone you care about dies, choosing funeral flowers or sympathy flowers can feel overwhelming. You want something respectful, beautiful, and right for the family, the funeral home, and your relationship with the person who has passed.
At Blossoms House of Flowers in Skelmersdale and Aintree, we help families and friends every week with funeral wreaths, sympathy sprays, coffin sprays, and smaller condolence bouquets. This guide covers what to send, the difference between wreaths and sprays, simple etiquette, and how local delivery works. When you are ready to order, get in touch or browse our shop.
Funeral flowers vs sympathy flowers
People often use the phrases interchangeably, but they are slightly different:
Funeral flowers usually go to the funeral home, church, crematorium, or graveside. They are part of the service itself (for example a coffin spray, standing spray, or funeral wreath).
Sympathy flowers are often sent to the family’s home as a personal message of support, before or after the funeral.
Both matter. If you are unsure which is more appropriate, tell us the situation and we will guide you via our contact page.
Popular types of funeral flowers
Funeral wreaths
A funeral wreath is a classic circular tribute. The circle is often seen as a symbol of eternal life and lasting love. Wreaths work well from family groups, close friends, workplaces, clubs, and community groups. See more of what we offer on our services page.
Sprays and sheaves
A funeral spray or sheaf is usually a one-sided or tied arrangement designed to display beautifully against a wall, easel, or coffin. Standing sprays make a strong visual tribute at the funeral home. Tied sheaves are a traditional British choice and travel well.
Coffin sprays
A coffin spray sits on top of the coffin and is normally arranged with the funeral director and immediate family. If you are not next of kin, check before ordering a coffin spray so you do not clash with the family’s plans.
Sympathy bouquets and basket arrangements
Smaller sympathy flower arrangements and bouquets are ideal for sending to someone’s home. They feel personal, gentle, and easier for the family to look after in the days after the funeral. For gift-style arrangements you can also look at our fresh flowers and shop.
What flowers are traditional for funerals?
There is no single correct flower, but these are commonly chosen for funeral flower arrangements in the UK:
Lilies
Roses
Chrysanthemums
Carnations
Soft foliage and seasonal greens
White, cream, soft pink, and gentle pastel tones are popular for sympathy flowers. Richer colours can be beautiful when they reflect the person’s personality. If the family has asked for a favourite colour or flower, we will always try to honour that.
For wider UK context on funeral and memorial choices, the MoneyHelper guide to funerals is a clear independent overview of planning practicalities (we handle the flowers; your funeral director handles the rest).
Funeral flower etiquette: a simple checklist
Follow the family’s wishes if they have requested family flowers only, donations instead of flowers, or a preferred colour.
Include a clear card message with your full name so the family know who sent the tribute.
Order early if the funeral is soon. Same-day funeral flower delivery is sometimes possible, but earlier is safer.
Send to the right place – funeral home for service flowers, home address for sympathy flowers.
Keep the message short and sincere – you do not need perfect wording.
Wreaths vs sprays: which should you choose?
Choose a wreath if you want a traditional, recognisable funeral tribute and especially if you are ordering as a group.
Choose a spray if you want something that displays well on an easel or as a statement piece at the venue.
Choose a home sympathy bouquet if you want to support the family privately after the service.
Still unsure? Contact Blossoms with the funeral home name and date, and we will recommend the best option for budget and setting.
Examples of what people often order
A white and cream funeral wreath from the wider family
A tied sheaf from close friends
A soft pink and white sympathy bouquet to the house
A workplace spray with a simple shared card message
You can see seasonal arrangement ideas on our blog, including posts on winter flower arrangements and mixing fresh and faux flowers.
Funeral flower delivery in Skelmersdale, Aintree and nearby
Blossoms House of Flowers can help with funeral flowers Skelmersdale, funeral flowers Aintree, and sympathy deliveries across nearby Merseyside and Lancashire areas, including Liverpool and surrounding towns where we deliver.
We regularly deliver to funeral homes and family addresses. When you order, please share:
The funeral home or home address
The date and time of the service (if known)
The name of the deceased (for the funeral director)
Your card message
Any colour or flower preferences
Find us and get directions from our contact page (Skelmersdale boutique and Aintree store).
Why choose a local florist for funeral and sympathy flowers?
A local florist understands funeral-home timings, can advise on what will look right in the space, and can create a tribute with care rather than a generic national template. At Blossoms we offer fresh funeral flowers, wreaths, sprays, and lasting options such as quality faux pieces when families want something that will keep. Learn more about us and our services.
How to order funeral or sympathy flowers with Blossoms
Visit us at:
Skelmersdale boutique – 112 The Concourse, Skelmersdale WN8 6LJ
Aintree store – Aintree Shopping Park, Ormskirk Road, Aintree, Liverpool L9 5AN
Or call 01695 722666 / email celebrationsflorist1981@gmail.com, or use the contact form.
If you are searching for sympathy flowers near me, funeral wreaths near me, or a trusted florist for a difficult day, we are here to help you choose something thoughtful and appropriate.
Blossoms House of Flowers – florist in Skelmersdale and Aintree for funeral flowers, sympathy flowers, wreaths, sprays, fresh and faux arrangements.