Casket Sprays, Standing Sprays & Wreaths: A Complete Guide to Funeral Flower Types in Ottawa
If you've ever stood in front of a florist's website trying to decide between a "standing spray," a "casket spray," and a "wreath," you're not alone. These terms get used loosely, but each type of funeral arrangement has a distinct purpose, placement, and etiquette behind it. Choosing the right one shows care and respect — and makes sure your tribute ends up exactly where it's meant to be during the service.
Here's a clear, practical breakdown of the most common funeral flower types we design for families across Ottawa, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Barrhaven, and Gatineau.
Casket Sprays: For the Immediate Family
A casket spray is a large, one-sided arrangement designed to lay directly across the top of the casket. It's typically the largest and most prominent floral tribute at a service.
Who sends it: Casket sprays are almost always chosen by immediate family — a spouse, children, or parents of the deceased. Because of the significance and cost, it's uncommon for friends, coworkers, or distant relatives to send one; doing so without coordinating with the family can sometimes create an awkward overlap.
What to know: Casket sprays come in half-couch (covering the upper half of the casket) or full-couch (covering the entire length) sizes. Your funeral director can tell you which size fits the casket being used.
Standing Sprays: The Most Versatile Tribute
A standing spray is an upright arrangement, typically on an easel, front-facing so it can be viewed from the side of the room. This is one of the most popular choices because it works well in almost any setting.
Who sends it: Standing sprays are appropriate for extended family, close friends, coworkers, and organizations. They're a strong choice when you want a substantial, visible tribute displayed near the casket or at the entrance of the visitation room, without the more intimate significance of a casket spray.
What to know: Standing sprays are highly customizable in size and colour palette, making them a flexible option whether you're honouring a life full of colour or keeping things quiet and traditional.
Funeral Wreaths & Hearts: A Symbol of Eternity
A wreath is a circular arrangement, traditionally symbolizing eternity and the eternal nature of life and love — the reason the circular shape has been used in mourning traditions for centuries. A heart-shaped arrangement carries similar symbolism, often chosen when the sender shares a close personal or familial bond with the deceased.
Who sends it: Wreaths are appropriate for family, close friends, and sometimes fraternal or religious organizations the deceased belonged to. Heart-shaped tributes are more commonly sent by immediate family or a spouse/partner.
What to know: Wreaths can be displayed on an easel similar to a standing spray, or, in some traditions, placed directly at the gravesite during burial.
Funeral Crosses: A Religious Tribute
A funeral cross arrangement is built in the shape of a cross and is a specifically Christian symbol, commonly sent by family members for the service of someone with strong religious faith.
Who sends it: Typically immediate family, though close friends within the same faith community may also choose this tribute. It's worth checking with the family or obituary first if you're unsure whether religious imagery fits the service.
Funeral Baskets: A Warm, Natural Option
A funeral basket arrangement is designed in a basket rather than a vase, giving it a fuller, more natural, garden-style appearance. Baskets sit well on the floor near the casket or at the entrance of the visitation.
Who sends it: Baskets are a comfortable middle ground — appropriate for coworkers, friends, neighbours, or acquaintances who want to send something substantial without the more personal symbolism of a casket spray or cross.
Sympathy Bouquets & Arrangements: For the Family Home
Not every floral tribute needs to go to the funeral home. Sympathy bouquets and arrangements are designed for home delivery, meant to bring comfort to the grieving family in the days and weeks that follow — often when the initial wave of visitors and support has quieted down.
Who sends it: Anyone. This is the most universally appropriate option if you're unsure of funeral home logistics, live out of town, or want to extend condolences after the service has already taken place.
Funeral Adornments: Personal Touches
Adornments are smaller decorative pieces — such as pillows, ribbons, or accent pieces — often used to personalize a casket spray or standing arrangement with a meaningful detail, like a favourite hobby, sports team, or symbol connected to the person being honoured.
Quick Reference: Which Arrangement Should You Send?
| Your Relationship to the Deceased | Suggested Arrangement |
|---|---|
| Spouse, child, or parent | Casket spray, funeral cross, or heart tribute |
| Extended family | Standing spray or wreath |
| Close friend | Standing spray, wreath, or basket |
| Coworker or acquaintance | Basket or standing spray |
| Distant connection / out of town | Sympathy bouquet to the family home |
| Religious community member | Funeral cross or wreath |
A Note on Timing and Delivery
Whichever arrangement you choose, timing matters. Casket sprays, standing sprays, wreaths, and crosses need to arrive at the funeral home before the visitation or service begins, while sympathy bouquets for the family home can be sent at any point — before, during, or after the service.
At Ottawa Funeral Flowers, we offer free, same-day delivery to funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries across Ottawa, Kanata, Nepean, Orleans, Barrhaven, and Gatineau when orders are placed before our daily cutoff. If you're not sure which arrangement is right for the service you're attending, our team is always happy to help you choose.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I send a casket spray if I'm not immediate family? It's best to check with the family first. Casket sprays are typically reserved for the closest family members, and sending one without coordinating can unintentionally duplicate what the family has already planned.
What's the difference between a standing spray and a wreath? A standing spray is a front-facing, upright arrangement on an easel, while a wreath is circular and symbolizes eternity. Both can be displayed on an easel, but they carry different visual styles and traditional meanings.
Is it okay to send flowers to the family's home instead of the funeral home? Yes — sympathy bouquets sent to the home are a thoughtful option, especially if you live out of town, missed the service, or simply want to extend comfort after the initial wave of support has passed.
Do funeral homes in Ottawa accept flower deliveries directly? Yes, we deliver directly to funeral homes across Ottawa and the surrounding region. Simply provide the funeral home name, address, and the deceased's name at checkout.
How do I know what size casket spray to order? Casket sprays come in half-couch and full-couch sizes depending on the casket. If you're unsure, our team or the funeral home can confirm which size is appropriate.