Flowers for a Wake vs a Funeral: What Changes and What to Send
When a death notice lists "visitation from 5 to 8 PM, funeral service at 10 AM the following day," many people wonder which event their flowers should go to. Should you send two arrangements? Will flowers sent to the wake make it to the funeral? Is a wake the same thing as a viewing?
This guide explains the difference between a wake and a funeral, what flowers fit each, how the funeral home moves arrangements between events and how to time delivery so your flowers are in place when guests arrive.
Wake, viewing, visitation, funeral: what each means
| Event | What happens | Typical timing | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wake | Family receives visitors, often with the body present | Evening before the funeral | Funeral home or family home |
| Viewing | Guests view the body in an open casket | Before or during the wake | Funeral home |
| Visitation | Guests offer condolences; casket may be closed or absent | Evening before or hour before the service | Funeral home |
| Funeral service | Formal ceremony honoring the person | Usually morning or midday | Church, chapel, funeral home |
| Memorial service | Ceremony without the body present | Days to weeks later | Anywhere |
| Committal or graveside | Burial or interment | Right after the funeral | Cemetery |
In everyday use, "wake," "viewing" and "visitation" often mean the same gathering. The obituary or the funeral home will say which events are planned.
The key difference for flowers
A wake is about the family receiving people. A funeral is about honoring the person in a formal ceremony. That shapes what flowers fit.
- At the wake, flowers fill the room where guests mingle and talk. Vase arrangements, baskets, wreaths and standing sprays line the walls and frame the casket or photo.
- At the funeral, flowers focus on the casket or urn and the altar. The casket spray is the centerpiece, flanked by standing sprays.
- At the graveside, a few pieces travel from the funeral, usually the casket spray and a couple of sprays.
Do flowers from the wake go to the funeral?
Usually yes, if both are held at the same funeral home. Staff move arrangements from the visitation room to the chapel before the service. If the wake is at the funeral home and the service is at a church, the funeral home will often transport flowers there too, though not always every piece. Call the funeral director to confirm. They handle this every day and will tell you exactly what happens.
If the wake is held at the family's home, flowers there generally stay at the home. In that case, a separate arrangement for the service is a nice gesture if you are close.
Which arrangements fit each event
| Arrangement | Wake | Funeral | Typical price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Casket spray | Sometimes, if casket present | Yes, from immediate family | $250 to $450 |
| Standing spray | Yes | Yes | $200 to $350 |
| Wreath | Yes | Yes | $150 to $300 |
| Vase arrangement | Yes, ideal | Yes, on tables | $59 to $149 |
| Basket | Yes | Yes | $89 to $199 |
| Plant | Yes, family takes home | Yes | $59 to $129 |
If you are sending one arrangement and the family is holding both a wake and a funeral at the same funeral home, address it to the wake. It will be seen at both.
Timing your delivery
- Wake in the evening: deliver by early afternoon, 2 to 3 hours before doors open.
- Visitation an hour before the funeral: deliver the evening before or first thing that morning.
- Funeral in the morning: deliver the evening before if the funeral home accepts it, which many do.
- Wake at the family's home: deliver the morning of, and call ahead.
Standing sprays and wreaths take time to build, so order them at least one day ahead. Vase arrangements can go same-day if you order by 2 PM. We deliver every day from 8 AM to 8 PM across Irvine and nearby Orange County.
Wake traditions to know
Wakes vary by family and culture. A few common traditions affect flowers:
- Irish and Catholic wakes are often warm, social gatherings with stories and food. Flowers are welcome and plentiful.
- Home wakes are smaller. Choose vase arrangements that fit a living room, not easel pieces.
- Open casket viewings may have flowers placed inside the casket lid, chosen by the family.
- Some traditions do not hold wakes at all, including many Jewish and Muslim families, where burial happens quickly. Flowers are generally not part of Jewish mourning customs.
Card wording for a wake vs a funeral
The card can be the same for both, but because guests mingle at a wake, some people like a slightly warmer note.
- Wake: "Remembering Frank and all the stories. With love, the Dolan family."
- Wake: "So many happy memories. Thinking of you all tonight."
- Funeral: "In loving memory of Frank Dolan. With deepest sympathy, Mark and Ellen Reyes."
- Funeral: "Forever in our hearts. From your friends at Coastline Construction."
Always sign with your full name. The family collects cards at the end and uses them for thank-you notes. For more ideas, see our guide to writing a flower card.
Should you send flowers to both?
Most guests send one arrangement. Sending to both is common only for:
- Immediate family, who may order a casket spray for the funeral and a wreath or spray for the wake.
- Very close friends who want a piece at the service and something for the family's home.
- Companies that want a visible arrangement at the wake and a plant to the employee's home.
If budget is a concern, one well-chosen arrangement at the wake does the job. Many families say the gesture mattered more than the number of pieces.
What happens to the flowers afterward
- The casket spray usually goes to the cemetery with the casket.
- Standing sprays and wreaths may go to the cemetery or stay at the funeral home.
- Vase arrangements and plants often go home with the family.
- Some families donate remaining flowers to a hospital, nursing home or church.
Because of this, a plant or a vase arrangement is the choice most likely to end up in the family's home. If that is your goal, choose one, or send a separate bouquet directly to the house in the days after. Our guide on sympathy flowers covers home deliveries.
Colors and flowers for a wake
A wake can be more personal than a funeral. Families often display photos, favorite objects and the person's favorite flowers. You can follow that lead.
- White roses, lilies and chrysanthemums are traditional and peaceful.
- Soft blues and lavenders feel calm and are a nice change from all-white rooms.
- Bright flowers suit a celebration of life or a person known for their energy.
- Their favorite flower is always appropriate, even if it is not traditional.
Common mistakes
- Sending to the wake after it ends. Check the times and order early.
- Sending a large easel piece to a home wake. Choose a vase instead.
- Forgetting the name of the deceased on the delivery. The funeral home may hold several services in one day.
- Sending to a Jewish service. Send food or make a donation instead.
- A first-name-only card. Add your last name.
How FlowerEase delivers to wakes and funerals
- We coordinate directly with the funeral home and deliver 2 to 3 hours before the event.
- You get a photo of your arrangement before it leaves our Irvine studio.
- Your card is handwritten for free, up to 200 characters.
- Every order has a 7-day freshness guarantee.
- Delivery is $14.99 and free on orders from $149.
Questions about wake and funeral flowers
Is it rude to skip flowers and just attend?
Not at all. Showing up is the most important thing. Flowers are a kind extra, not a requirement. Many people attend the wake and send flowers to the home later.
Can I bring flowers to a wake in person?
You can bring a small bouquet to a home wake. For a funeral home wake, it is easier to have flowers delivered before it opens, so staff can place them and you can focus on the family.
What if the wake and funeral are at different places?
Send your arrangement to the place where you most want it seen. If you want to cover both, send a standing spray or wreath to the funeral and a vase arrangement to the wake, or ask the funeral home if they will move pieces between locations.
How late can I order for a wake tonight?
Order vase arrangements by 2 PM for same-day delivery. Larger easel pieces need more time, usually a day. If it is already afternoon, call us and we will tell you honestly what we can deliver in time.
Are flowers appropriate at a rosary?
Yes. A rosary is often held during or right after a Catholic visitation, and the same flowers serve both.
A simple plan if you are short on time
- Read the obituary and note the funeral home name, the person's full name and the event times.
- Choose one vase arrangement or wreath and address it to the wake.
- Write a short card with your full name.
- Add a note asking the funeral home to keep it for the service.
- Put a reminder in your calendar to check on the family in two weeks.
One last tip: if you are ordering for a group, collect the names before you order so the card can list everyone, or simply sign it with the group name, such as "Your friends from St. Anne's choir."
What if the family is holding a private funeral?
When the funeral is private and only the wake is public, send your flowers to the wake. If there is no public event at all, send a bouquet or plant to the family's home instead.
Order flowers for a wake or funeral
If you are unsure which event to choose, send to the wake at the funeral home and your flowers will likely be seen at both. Browse standing sprays, wreaths and vase pieces in our funeral flowers, or send something to the family's home from our sympathy flowers. Give us the funeral home name, the person's full name and the event time, and we will take care of the rest.
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