The cost of funeral flowers in the UK: what to expect

Funeral flowers are a thoughtful way of honouring a loved one who’s passed away. But the choice and the associated costs can be a little overwhelming. Here, we’ll give you a clearer idea of how funeral flower costs can differ depending on the type you choose. We’ll also share some ideas about how to keep the cost of funeral flower arrangements down if you need to stick to a budget, or just want to create something a little different.

What is the average cost of funeral flowers in the UK?

According to the latest research on funeral costs (SunLife 2024) the average cost of funeral flowers in the UK is £220. At a glance, that may not seem like a lot. But when you add that to funeral directors’ fees, burial or cremations fees, a celebrant, venue hire, catering, and transport to and from the funeral service, it all adds up.

You can learn more about the breakdown of funeral costs with our article: How much does a funeral cost? It’ll give you a better idea of the different parts of the funeral you’ll need to pay for, along with optional extras, so you know what to expect and how to save on costs if you’d like to.

Figuring out the cost of funeral flowers

When you’re arranging a funeral, thinking about the details such as flowers can be tricky especially if you want to keep on top of costs. This is because there are lots of different types of funeral flowers available and they can be used in different ways as a tribute to your loved one. Here’s a quick rundown of the types of flowers you might want at a funeral along with their approximate starting costs and how they’re used.

Things that affect the cost of funeral flowers

When you’re organising funeral flowers to pay tribute to a loved one it’s worth knowing how different factors can affect the price you pay. Here are a few things to consider before you make any decisions about which funeral flowers to choose:

• Keep in mind that advertised funeral flower costs may not include delivery or postage costs. You might need to ask for these costs separately and factor this into your budgets.
• Generally, the larger and more complex the floral display, the more it will cost. Think about whether you need to have a large coffin spray? Or will a smaller tribute on the coffin look just as beautiful?
• When you’re asking a florist to create custom funeral flowers, from scratch, it takes a lot of time to create. So they’ll charge more for the time it takes to source the flowers you need for the tribute, as well as the time it takes to create it.
• At different times of year, certain flowers are easier to source than others. Speak to a florist about what you had in mind. If it’s a more expensive option, ask them about similar alternatives, like flowers that are in season and will have the same effect you were looking for.
• Don’t forget to ask your funeral director for advice on florists they may have worked with in the past. They might be able to introduce you to a florist that knows exactly what you’re looking for at a reasonable price.

Want to keep the cost of funeral flowers down?

If you need to stick to a budget for the funeral you’re planning, there are some ways you can keep costs down while still paying your respects. Here are a few ideas of how to keep the cost of funeral flower arrangements down and still plan the send-off you’d like for a loved one:

• Make sure you shop around. There are lots of online florists and retailers that offer funeral flower tributes at a more affordable cost than traditional florists. Doing your research will help you make sure you’ve got the floral tribute you want at the best possible price.
• Remember that funeral flowers are optional. Instead of choosing a coffin spray, and a custom tribute, perhaps narrow it down to just the coffin spray. Or nothing at all if the person who passed away didn’t want a lot of fuss. Remember that you can pay tribute to a loved one in lots of other ways, like donating to a charity in their name or by planting a tree in their memory.
• Make your own funeral flower tributes if you feel up to it. There are lots of online tutorials on making your own funeral flowers, from wreaths to coffin sprays. And the materials you need (floral blocks, tape, and a display tray) to make them are easily found online or at craft shops. You can make your own floral tributes using flowers from your own garden if you feel confident – doing a practice run can be helpful and will give you a good idea of how long the blooms will last too. But if you don’t feel confident using real flowers, you could use fake foliage and flowers instead. You could then create something after the funeral using your favourite flowers from the tribute to give to family and friends as a memento.

Image by Ken Walker from Pixabay.