Funeral tribute
Casket Sprays
A casket spray, often just called the coffin flowers, is the long arrangement that lies on top of the coffin throughout the service. It is the most prominent tribute at any funeral and is almost always chosen by the immediate family, usually the spouse, partner or children of the person who has died.
Casket sprays come in two main forms. A double-ended spray tapers at both ends and runs along most of the coffin lid, typically three to six feet long. A single-ended spray is smaller and sits at one end, which suits a tighter budget or a child's coffin. Both are built on a soaked foam base so the flowers stay fresh through the day.
Traditional sprays use white lilies, roses and chrysanthemums with trailing foliage, but many families now ask for the person's favourite colours, garden flowers, or blooms tied to a season or place. As this is the centrepiece tribute, a short conversation with the florist about the person is worth more than ordering from a photograph.
The florist delivers the finished spray to the funeral director's premises, usually the day before the funeral, and staff place it on the coffin before the cortege leaves.
When to Choose Casket Sprays
- A casket spray is the conventional choice for the immediate family's main tribute and normally only one is ordered per funeral.
- It suits both burial and cremation, though some crematoria remove the spray before committal.
- Choose a double-ended spray for a full visual statement on a standard adult coffin, or a single-ended spray where budget or coffin size makes that more sensible.
- If you are not immediate family, send a wreath, standing spray or bouquet instead rather than a second casket spray.
Typical Price Range
£150–£350 depending on size, flowers, and florist
Prices vary by florist, flowers chosen, and size of arrangement.
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Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Who pays for and chooses the casket spray?
By convention the immediate family chooses and pays for it. Funeral directors can order it on the family's behalf, though ordering directly from a florist usually gives more choice and sometimes a better price.
What size casket spray do I need?
For a standard adult coffin, a 3ft single-ended spray covers one end, a 4ft double-ended spray covers most of the lid, and 5ft to 6ft gives full coverage. Your florist can advise once they know the coffin style.
Can the spray stay with the coffin at a cremation?
Policies vary between crematoria. Some allow flowers to remain on the coffin, while others ask for them to be removed and displayed in the grounds. The funeral director will know the local rule and can arrange either.
Can we keep the flowers afterwards?
Yes, if removed before committal or after a burial. Families often take the spray home, leave it at the grave, or have blooms made into keepsake posies.
Related Guides
- How to Choose Funeral FlowersA practical guide to choosing the right funeral flowers for your loved one's service.
- How Much Do Funeral Flowers Cost?A realistic guide to what funeral flowers cost in the UK, what affects the price, and how to choose a tribute that suits your budget.
- Sending Flowers to a Funeral DirectorHow and when to send funeral flowers to a funeral director, and why it is the most dependable way to make sure your tribute reaches the service.
- Wreath vs Spray vs Casket ArrangementHow wreaths, sprays and casket arrangements differ in shape, placement and price, and how to choose the right one for your relationship and budget.