Funeral Flower Meanings & Memorial Keepsakes: A Gentle Guide to Saying Goodbye

Saying goodbye to someone you love is one of the hardest things we ever face.
Flowers often play a big part in that final goodbye – they bring colour, scent and symbolism to a day filled with emotion.

In the UK, funeral flowers are a long-standing tradition, and each type of flower carries its own meaning. Many families now also choose to preserve some of the funeral flowers as a lasting memorial, so a small part of that goodbye can stay with them.

At Sal’s Forever Flowers I gently preserve funeral flowers and turn them into meaningful keepsakes and memorial jewellery.

Choosing Flowers for a Funeral

When arranging funeral flowers, there’s no “right” way to do it. Every family has their own beliefs, traditions and preferences. The most important thing is that the flowers feel personal and thoughtful.

You might choose:

• A favourite flower of your loved one
• Colours that remind you of them
• Traditional funeral flowers with symbolic meanings

The main coffin spray or wreath is usually chosen by close family, while friends, colleagues and extended family often send smaller wreaths, sprays or bouquets. Sometimes families may request no flowers and instead ask for donations to a chosen charity – this is perfectly okay too.

Popular Funeral Flowers & Their Meanings

Lilies

Lilies are one of the most recognised funeral flowers. They are large, elegant and highly scented.
They often represent:

• The soul returning to peace
• Purity and restored innocence

In Christian traditions, lilies are linked with purity and are sometimes associated with the Virgin Mary.

Roses

Roses are a classic choice in the UK and come in many colours, each with a slightly different meaning:

• White roses – purity, innocence, spirituality
• Red roses – love, respect, courage
• Yellow roses – friendship and the bond between close friends
• Pink roses – gratitude and thankfulness

Orchids

Orchids feel more modern and exotic but are becoming increasingly popular in funeral arrangements.
Whatever the colour, they often carry one clear message:

“I will always love you.”

Carnations

Carnations are long-lasting and delicate, making them a popular choice for wreaths and sprays.

In the UK, white, pink and red carnations are most often used:

• White carnations – love and purity
• Red carnations – affection and admiration
• Pink carnations – remembrance

All three colours work beautifully in funeral arrangements.

Who Sends Which Flowers?

While there are no strict rules, these gentle guidelines can help:

• Close family – often arrange the main coffin spray, casket top display or a large wreath
• Extended family & close friends – may send wreaths, sprays, bouquets or letters shaped with flowers
• Colleagues & acquaintances – smaller sprays, single arrangements, or donations if requested

What matters most is the thought and meaning behind the flowers, not how big or expensive they are.

Is It Okay to Preserve Funeral Flowers?

A question I’m often asked is:

“Is it okay to keep and preserve funeral flowers?”

The answer is yes, absolutely.
For many people, preserving a few flowers brings comfort – it’s a way to keep a gentle, physical reminder of their loved one close.

At Sal’s Forever Flowers, I carefully dry and preserve funeral flowers and turn them into:

• Memorial jewellery – pendants, rings, beads or charms you can wear
• Resin paperweights or ornaments – pieces you can keep at home
• Pressed flower keepsakes – coasters, frames and other flat designs

Some families also choose to spell out a loved one’s name or initials using preserved petals in resin, creating a truly personal memorial.

Memorial Jewellery – Keeping Them Close

Memorial jewellery is one of the most requested options for funeral flowers.

Because it’s something you can wear on special days – anniversaries, birthdays, or simply when you need them close – it often brings a sense of quiet comfort.
Each piece is made using real petals from your flowers, so no two pieces are ever the same.

A Gentle Way to Remember

There is no right or wrong way to grieve, and there is no rule that says you must keep or preserve funeral flowers. But if holding a small piece of those flowers – in jewellery, a paperweight or an ornament – feels comforting, it may be a beautiful option for you.

💛 If you’d like to know more about preserving funeral flowers or memorial jewellery, I’d be honoured to help.