Which flowers to give for a funeral?

Nothing is set in stone, but custom offers some guidance.

• Spouse or children: a funeral heart or a wreath, often with a ribbon naming the bond: "To my wife," "To our dad."

• Grandchildren, siblings, close relatives: a wreath, a spray or a cushion, alone or together.

• Friends: a spray or a cushion. As a group, one arrangement signed by everyone has more presence than several small ones.

• Coworkers: a shared spray, with the company or department name on the ribbon.

• Neighbors and acquaintances: a bouquet delivered to the family, or a card. A large piece at the service can feel out of proportion if you barely knew the person.

These are not a ranking. If the person was your closest friend, a heart is perfectly fitting.

• Church: sprays and wreaths go near the casket or at the entrance. They are often taken to the cemetery afterward.

• Funeral home or crematorium: the room is often smaller. A cushion or a funeral arrangement fits in easily.

• Cemetery: the piece will be laid on the grave. A spray or a wreath holds up better outdoors than a bouquet.

• The family's home: a medium-sized bouquet that is easy to put in a vase. Our advice for a condolence visit covers this case.

To know when to send flowers, from the news of the death to the weeks that follow, read our guide when to send funeral flowers and which to choose.

The white rose is the most common choice: it says respect and suits any relationship. The white lily is more solemn, but its scent is strong, so it is best avoided in a small room or at home. In French-speaking Europe, the chrysanthemum is tied to All Saints' Day and graves. Carnations and orchids suit understated tributes.

If you knew the person's favorite flower, choose it: it will say more than any symbolism. To go further, see the meaning of funeral flowers and our advice on funeral flower colors.

At KANEL, you choose the shape and size. The photo shows the style and colors; the varieties depend on what arrives at our workshop in Vernier.

An arrangement of cut flowers is made for the service: it is beautiful for a few days, and that is also what it says about life.

A potted plant, such as an orchid, suits the family better, at home, in the weeks that follow. It lasts, and it reminds them you are still thinking of them when fewer people come by. For a grave, a cold-hardy plant replaces cut flowers in winter.

At KANEL, funeral cushions start at CHF 155, hearts at CHF 255, sprays range from CHF 255 to 995 and wreaths from CHF 355 to 895. To compare sizes, see our guides to funeral spray prices and funeral wreath costs.

A personalized ribbon costs CHF 35. Write a short tribute and your name; our message examples for funeral flowers can help.

Delivery of funeral arrangements is free anywhere in Switzerland, to the service venue or the family's home, Monday to Saturday. Allow at least two days before the service, and include the name of the deceased, the time and the place. You can book up to 60 days ahead in the calendar.