What to Do With Funeral Flowers Afterward

After a funeral, families are often left with dozens of arrangements. They can feel too precious to throw away and too many to keep. Here are some thoughtful options.

Take some to the grave

Many families carry a few arrangements to the graveside. Cemeteries usually clear them within days, so ask about the rules first. See cemetery decoration rules.

Keep them close

• Bring arrangements home and share them with close family.
• Dry a bouquet by hanging it upside down somewhere dark and dry.
• Press a few blooms in a heavy book to frame later.
• Have petals made into keepsakes such as resin pieces or beads.

Share them

Some hospitals, nursing homes and churches welcome flowers, while others can't accept them because of allergies or infection rules — call ahead. Another option is to give a single stem to each guest as they leave.

Plant and compost

Potted plants and peace lilies can live on for years at home. Some families plant a shrub or tree from the service in the garden. Wilted flowers can go in the compost — remove ribbons, foam and wire first.

Keep the cards

Remove the cards before the flowers go anywhere. You'll want them for thank-you notes, and many families keep them in a memory box. See thank-you wording after a headstone dedication.

Key Takeaways

• Ask the cemetery before leaving flowers at the grave.
• Dry or press a few to keep.
• Call before donating flowers to hospitals.
• Keep the cards for thank-you notes.

Next Step

See fresh vs artificial flowers on graves and planting flowers on a grave.