Types of Funeral Flowers and Arrangements in the Philippines
Choosing funeral flowers can feel hard, especially when a wake or service is happening soon. Our funeral arrangement team works with families, friends, coworkers, and OFWs sending flowers to wakes across Metro Manila, so we know most people are not just choosing flowers — they are trying to send something respectful at a difficult time.
Below, we’ll explain the main types of funeral flowers and arrangements, what each one is used for, what they mean, and how to choose something appropriate.
Funeral Flower Stands
Funeral flower stands are one of the most commonly ordered funeral arrangements in the Philippines. They are displayed upright at wakes and funeral homes, usually near the casket, entrance, or viewing area.
Because they are easy to display and do not need a vase or table, they are often sent by friends, relatives, coworkers, companies, and groups. Most stands reach up to 6 feet tall and include a ribbon with a customised message, usually up to 6 words long.
They are a safe choice when you want to send something respectful, visible, and appropriate for the family.
Sympathy Baskets
Sympathy baskets are lower, more compact funeral flower arrangements. They are usually placed on a table, beside the casket, near a framed photo, or around the viewing area.
They are a good choice when you want to send something respectful, but softer and less formal than a large funeral stand. Baskets are often chosen by friends, relatives, coworkers, or anyone who wants to send condolences without taking up too much space at the wake.
Some vase arrangements serve a similar purpose. They are easy to place, simple to receive, and suitable for smaller wake areas, family homes, chapels, or offices.
Coffin Sprays
Coffin sprays are flower arrangements placed directly on top of the coffin or casket. Because only one is usually needed, this arrangement is most often chosen by immediate family.
A coffin spray carries more personal meaning than a stand or basket because it becomes part of the main farewell display. It rests closest to the person who passed away and often represents the family’s final act of love, honour, and remembrance.
These arrangements are usually chosen for a parent, spouse, grandparent, child, sibling, or another close family member. If you are not part of the immediate family, a funeral stand or sympathy basket is usually the safer choice, unless the family specifically asks for a coffin spray.
Vase Arrangements
Vase arrangements are funeral flowers arranged in their own vase or container. They are easy to place at a wake, chapel, family home, office, or smaller viewing area because the family does not need to prepare a separate vase.
Unlike funeral stands, vase arrangements are usually placed on a table, beside a framed photo, near the casket, or in a family receiving area. They are also easier to move if the wake setup changes.
This is a good choice when you want something simple, gentle, and respectful. It may not be as visible as a large funeral stand, but it can feel more personal and easier for the family to keep after the service.
Cross Arrangements
Cross arrangements are funeral flowers shaped like a cross. They are often chosen for Catholic or Christian wakes, where the family may want the flowers to reflect faith, prayer, and hope.
Like wreaths, cross arrangements are usually attached to a stand and displayed near the casket, altar, or viewing area. Some can also be made as smaller pieces and placed beside a framed photo, religious statue, or memorial table.
Because of their religious meaning, it is best to send this type of arrangement when you know the family is Christian or comfortable with Christian symbols. For the right family, a floral cross can feel deeply meaningful, especially when sent by close relatives, family friends, church groups, or organisations connected to the family.
Condolence Wreaths
Condolence wreaths are circular funeral arrangements sent to wakes, funeral homes, chapels, and memorial services. The circle is often seen as a symbol of eternity, remembrance, and continuing love.
Most wreaths are displayed on a stand near the casket, entrance, altar, or viewing area. Some may also be placed beside framed photos, religious statues, or memorial tables, depending on the setup of the wake.
This is a formal and respectful choice for relatives, close friends, coworkers, companies, and groups. A short ribbon message is usually added, such as “With Deepest Sympathy,” “In Loving Memory,” or “Our Deepest Condolences.”
Funeral Flower Packages
Funeral flower packages are used when the family wants a fuller setup around the coffin, photo area, altar, or viewing space. Instead of sending one arrangement, a package may include a coffin spray, side flowers, and lower garden arrangements to complete the display.
Garden arrangements are the low floral pieces placed around the base of the coffin or front of the viewing area. They help soften the space and make the whole setup feel more complete.
These packages are usually chosen by immediate family or close relatives, especially when planning the overall look of the wake. If you are not part of the immediate family, a funeral stand, basket, or wreath is usually more appropriate.
Common Funeral Flowers and Their Meanings
The type of arrangement matters, but the flowers inside it also carry meaning. In the Philippines, the best flowers for funeral arrangements are usually flowers that feel respectful, last well, and suit the tone of a wake or memorial service.
Lilies
Lilies are one of the most traditional funeral flowers. White lilies are often used to express peace, purity, and sympathy, which makes them a common choice for funeral stands, coffin sprays, and baskets.
They are a good option when you want the arrangement to feel calm, respectful, and appropriate for most families.
Chrysanthemums
Chrysanthemums are strongly associated with grief, mourning, and remembrance in many cultures. They are commonly used in funeral arrangements because they last well and have a solemn, respectful look.
White chrysanthemums are especially fitting for sympathy flowers, funeral stands, wreaths, and sprays.
Roses
Roses are often used to express love, respect, and remembrance. White roses feel peaceful and reverent, while soft pink roses can show gratitude, affection, and gentle sympathy.
They work well in coffin sprays, funeral stands, baskets, and vase arrangements.
Carnations
Carnations are long-lasting flowers often used to express remembrance and lasting sympathy. White carnations can feel pure and respectful, while pink carnations are often linked with love and memory.
Because they hold up well, carnations are useful in funeral arrangements that need to stay fresh throughout a wake.
Orchids
Orchids feel elegant, personal, and graceful. They are often used to express lasting love, respect, and sympathy.
They are a good choice for premium funeral stands, sympathy baskets, and arrangements where the sender wants something more refined.
Anthuriums
Anthuriums are common in Philippine flower arrangements and help add shape, colour, and structure. In funeral flowers, they can express sincerity, respect, and strength.
They are often used in Filipino funeral stands because they are bold enough to be seen in larger arrangements.
Gladiolus
Gladiolus flowers are tall and striking, which makes them useful in standing arrangements and sprays. They are often associated with strength, dignity, and character.
They are a good choice when the arrangement is meant to honour someone respected by their family, friends, or community.
Baby’s Breath
Baby’s breath is usually used as a filler flower, but it still adds meaning. Its soft white appearance is often associated with purity, innocence, and gentleness.
It helps soften funeral arrangements and is often used with roses, lilies, carnations, and other white flowers.
What Funeral Flowers Should You Send?
| Your relationship | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Immediate family | Coffin spray or funeral flower package |
| Close relative | Funeral stand, coffin spray contribution, or wreath |
| Friend | Funeral stand, sympathy basket, or wreath |
| Coworker | Funeral stand or sympathy basket |
| Company / office | Funeral stand with ribbon message |
| Neighbour / acquaintance | Sympathy basket, vase arrangement, or simple stand |
| Sending from abroad | Funeral stand or basket with ribbon/card message |
How to Choose Funeral Flowers in the Philippines
If you are unsure what to send, choose white or soft-coloured flowers. They are safe, respectful, and appropriate for most wakes and memorial services.
A funeral stand is usually the safest choice when you want something visible at the wake. A basket or vase arrangement is better when you want something smaller and easier to place.
Coffin sprays and full flower packages are usually chosen by immediate family. If you are a friend, coworker, company, or extended relative, a stand, basket, or wreath is usually more appropriate.
Before ordering, prepare the funeral home or chapel name, viewing room, recipient name, ribbon message, and sender name. Ribbon messages are usually kept short, around 2–6 words, so they stay easy to read.
Send Funeral Flowers in Metro Manila
Manila Funeral & Sympathy Flowers arranges and delivers funeral stands, coffin sprays, sympathy baskets, wreaths, vase arrangements, and condolence flowers across Metro Manila — to wakes, funeral homes, chapels, churches, memorial parks, offices, and family homes.
If you’re not sure which type of funeral flowers to send, message us with the wake location, your relationship to the person who passed away, and your preferred budget. We’ll help you choose something respectful, appropriate, and suitable for the family.
Contact Manila Funeral & Sympathy Flowers:
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