The short answer: a casket spray is the large arrangement that rests on top of the casket during the visitation and the funeral service. It is usually chosen and paid for by the immediate family, such as a spouse, the children or the parents, and it is ordered once, so it helps for the family to agree on one design. Friends and coworkers usually send a standing spray, a wreath or an arrangement instead. Here is what to know before you choose.
What is a casket spray?
A casket spray is a long, low arrangement built to sit securely on the lid of a casket. It is the most visible flower tribute at a funeral, often the first thing people see when they walk into the chapel, and it is usually the centrepiece that all the other flowers are placed around. Because it sits so close to the person who has passed, it is one of the most personal choices a family makes.
Most casket sprays are made with a mix of large focal flowers, such as roses, lilies, gladiolus or orchids, and smaller filler flowers and greens that give the spray its full, trailing shape. You can see the range in our casket sprays, from all-white designs to rich reds and soft pastels.
Full couch and half couch: does the size matter?
Caskets come in two common styles. A full couch casket has a lid that closes in one piece, while a half couch casket has a split lid, so the upper half can stay open during a visitation. For an open casket visitation, the spray usually sits on the closed lower half. If you are not sure which style the family has chosen, ask the funeral director. They can tell you, and they can also tell you whether the casket will be open or closed at the service.
Some of our casket sprays come in more than one size. Where a design offers Good, Better or Best, the larger sizes are fuller. A fuller spray suits a closed casket, while a smaller one suits the lower half of an open casket.
Who sends the casket spray?
Traditionally, the casket spray comes from the closest family. A spouse or partner often chooses it, sometimes together with the children. When a parent has passed, the adult children may share the cost. When a child or grandchild has passed, the parents or grandparents usually choose it. The card on a casket spray is often signed simply, for example "With love, your family" or "Forever in our hearts, Mom and Dad".
If you are not part of the immediate family, it is kinder not to order a casket spray, because the family may already have chosen one. A standing spray, a wreath or an arrangement for the chapel is a better choice. Our guide to funeral flowers for a mother, father or grandparent explains who usually sends what.
Choosing colours and flowers
There is no wrong colour for a casket spray, but each palette carries its own feeling:
- All white feels peaceful and respectful, and it suits nearly every faith and tradition. White roses, lilies and orchids are classic choices.
- Red speaks of deep love, and it is often chosen by a spouse. The Peaceful Passage Casket Spray combines red roses, gladiolus, anthurium and orchids.
- Pinks and lavenders feel gentle and warm, and they suit someone who loved colour or their garden. See the Forever Beloved Casket Spray.
- Soft whites with pale blue are often chosen to honour a child, as in the Tender Treasure Casket Spray.
The person's favourite flower is always a lovely starting point. If they grew roses, loved sunflowers or always had lilies on the table, tell us, and we can talk through a custom design.
Adornments, pillows and other casket pieces
Some families add smaller pieces alongside the main spray. A casket adornment, such as the Trail of Flowers Casket Adornment, rests inside the casket, close to the person being remembered, and suits an open casket visitation. A casket pillow is a small, soft arrangement placed inside the lid. These pieces are usually chosen by the immediate family, and they can be a way for grandchildren or siblings to add a tribute of their own.
When the family chooses cremation
If the family has chosen cremation, there may be no casket at the service. Instead, flowers are often arranged around the urn or a photo of the person. Our cremation and urn flowers are made for this, and our guide to flowers for a cremation or memorial service explains the options.
Ordering a casket spray
A casket spray needs to arrive at the funeral home before the visitation begins, so the staff have time to place it. When you order:
- add the name of the person who has passed and the name of the funeral home
- add the date and time of the visitation or service
- add the drop-off time in the order notes at checkout
- keep the card message short, and sign it the way the family wants it to read
Funeral flowers are delivered directly to the funeral home. If you are planning several pieces, a funeral package brings a casket spray and other tributes together, and our standing sprays are often placed on either side of the casket.
Every casket spray is hand-arranged in our Mississauga studio, and we deliver to funeral homes across the GTA. Delivery is free on orders over $50, and every order includes a free handwritten card. If you would like help choosing, or want to plan a custom design, call our studio at 905-677-9999.