The short answer: a celebration of life calls for flowers that look like the person, not like a funeral. Bright colours, garden styles and favourite flowers all suit it, and the usual rules about formal white tributes matter less. Since these gatherings are often held at a home, a hall, a restaurant or a park rather than a funeral home, check the venue and the timing before you order. This guide covers colours, styles, delivery and what to write.
How a celebration of life is different
A celebration of life focuses on the person's story rather than on formal ritual. There may be photos, music, favourite food, and friends who stand up to tell stories. It can happen weeks after the death, sometimes with no casket or urn in the room. Our guide to flowers for a cremation or memorial service compares it with a funeral and a memorial service if you are not sure which you have been invited to.
For flowers, that means more freedom. Nobody expects a particular piece in a particular spot, so choose what fits the mood the family has set. If the invitation asks for bright clothing, or for no flowers at all, take your cue from that.
Colours that suit a celebration
- Bright and tropical. The Celebration of Life arrangement has birds of paradise, tropical red ginger, blue delphinium and orange roses, for someone who loved colour, travel or the outdoors.
- Yellow and gold. These are often chosen for a life full of warmth, friendship and good humour. See The Golden Memories Arrangement.
- Soft pinks and spring colours. The Uplifting Moments Arrangement uses gentle pinks, and the Refreshing Mix Standing Spray brings the hopeful colours of spring.
- Natural greens. Nature's Serenity feels natural and unfussy, and it suits someone who was happiest outdoors.
- Their favourite. The best choice of all is often the flower they grew, or the colour they always wore. Some of our wreaths can be customized to your colour and flower preference, so call us to talk it through.
Which style to choose
A vase or table arrangement
This is often the most practical choice. It can sit on a table next to photos, and it can go home with the family afterwards. See our funeral arrangements and our sympathy baskets, which come ready to display with no vase to find.
A standing spray or wreath
If the gathering is large or in a big room, a piece on an easel is easy to see. The Glowing Ray Standing Heart suits someone who loved colour, and The Radiant Remembrance Wreath can be signed from a family, a group of friends or a workplace. Browse our standing sprays and funeral wreaths, and ask the family or the venue first whether there is room for an easel.
A plant or a gift for the family
If the gathering is small, or if it has already passed, send something to the family home instead. A plant from our potted plants and succulents lasts, and a basket of fruit can feed visitors. Our guide on sympathy plants or flowers can help you decide.
Delivering to a home, hall or park
Funeral flowers are usually sent to a funeral home, where staff can receive them and set them out. A celebration of life may have no one waiting at the door, so a little planning helps.
- Ask the family who will receive the flowers, and include their name and phone number on your order.
- Give us the full name and address of the venue, and add the time of the gathering and any delivery notes at checkout.
- If the venue is outdoors and no one will be there to receive the flowers, send them to the family home instead.
- If the flowers need to arrive by a set time, call us at 905-677-9999 before you order. We cannot guarantee a specific time for a regular delivery, and additional charges may apply depending on the location.
If the gathering is outside our regular routes, call us and we will tell you what is possible. Our delivery map and zones show where we go and on which days, which matters for a Sunday gathering in particular.
What to write on the card
A celebration of life is a good place for a warm or even funny line. Every order includes a free handwritten card. A few examples:
- "She made every room brighter. Here's to a life well lived."
- "Thank you for all the stories, Jim. We will keep telling them."
- "Celebrating you today and always. With love from all of us at the office."
For more wording ideas, read what to write on a sympathy card.
Ordering and delivery
Every tribute is hand-arranged in our Mississauga studio. Delivery is free on orders of $50 or more, and we email you as soon as your order has been delivered. See all of our sympathy and funeral flowers, or call us at 905-677-9999 if you would like help choosing.