Memorial Wreaths: Traditional Funeral Tribute Guide

Memorial wreaths are circular floral tributes traditionally sent to funerals and memorial services. Less common in mainstream American funeral practice than they once were, wreaths remain particularly meaningful for veterans, military services, religious traditions, and graveside ceremonies. This guide covers when a wreath is the right choice and how to choose one.

What Is a Memorial Wreath?

A memorial wreath is a circular floral arrangement, traditionally displayed on an easel at a funeral service, at a graveside, or hung at a war memorial. The circular shape symbolizes eternity, the continuing cycle of life, and the unbroken connection between the deceased and those who remember them.

Memorial wreaths typically:

• Are 18″-36″ in diameter depending on size
• Display on an easel at the funeral home or church
• Feature a heavy emphasis on greenery with focal flowers integrated throughout
• May include a ribbon with a tribute message (“Beloved Father,” “Forever Remembered”)

When a Wreath Is Particularly Appropriate

Wreaths are most appropriate for:

Military and veteran services

Memorial wreaths are deeply traditional at military funerals and veteran services. Patriotic wreaths (red, white, and blue) or wreaths with military ribbons are common at services for those who served.

Religious services with traditional liturgy

Catholic, Orthodox, Anglican, and high-church Protestant funerals often welcome wreaths as part of the formal floral display. The circular shape carries traditional religious symbolism.

Graveside services

Wreaths are particularly meaningful at graveside ceremonies, where they may be placed on or near the grave during burial.

Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and patriotic remembrance

Wreaths sent to military cemeteries for patriotic holidays carry specific tradition. Organizations like Wreaths Across America coordinate these.

Civic and organizational services

Funerals for police officers, firefighters, and other public servants often feature memorial wreaths from professional organizations.

When a Wreath Is NOT the Best Choice

Wreaths may feel out of place at:

• LDS / Mormon services — less traditional in LDS culture
• Jewish funerals — flowers generally not traditional, and circular floral symbolism doesn’t align with the tradition
• Muslim funerals — flowers not traditional
• Hindu funerals — different floral conventions apply (garlands, marigolds)
• Modern/casual services — wreaths may feel overly formal for celebrations of life

If you’re unsure whether a wreath fits the tone, a standing spray is a more universally appropriate choice.

Sizes and Styles

Standard memorial wreath

18″-24″ diameter on an easel, with greenery and focal flowers throughout.

Price range: $80-$150

Deluxe memorial wreath

24″-32″ diameter, more substantial flowers and detail work.

Price range: $150-$250

Premium / custom wreath

Oversized or custom-designed wreaths, often with ribbons, military insignia, or specific personalization.

Price range: $250-$500

Heart-shaped or specialty memorial

Heart-shaped, cross-shaped, or themed wreath variations.

Price range: $150-$350

Traditional Flower Choices

Memorial wreaths typically feature:

• Eucalyptus, ferns, salal, leather leaf — greenery as the base, forming the circular structure
• White roses — focal flowers, traditional
• White lilies — formal accent
• Carnations or chrysanthemums — traditional fillers
• Magnolia leaves — for substantial Southern-style wreaths

The greenery base is more prominent in wreaths than in standing sprays, with the floral focal points integrated throughout rather than concentrated.

Color Conventions

White and green is the most traditional and universally appropriate color scheme for memorial wreaths.

Other appropriate options:

• Red, white, and blue — patriotic, for veterans and military services
• White with red roses — formal and warm
• All white with greenery — most formal and reverent
• Pastel tones — gentle, for less formal services

Bright multi-colored wreaths are appropriate only for explicit celebration-of-life services.

Ribbons and Tribute Messages

A distinctive feature of memorial wreaths is the ribbon that’s typically draped across or below the wreath with a tribute message. Common ribbon messages:

• “Beloved Father” / “Beloved Mother” / etc.
• “Forever in Our Hearts”
• “In Loving Memory”
• “With Deepest Sympathy”
• Military ribbons — “Faithful Service,” “Honored Veteran,” service branch insignia
• Organizational ribbons — “From the [Organization]”

Custom ribbons typically add $15-$50 to the cost.

Where to Order

Memorial wreaths can be ordered from:

• Major online florists — 1-800-Flowers, Teleflora, FromYouFlowers, ProFlowers all offer wreath options
• Local florists — typically better quality for larger wreaths; ask for “funeral wreath” or “memorial wreath”
• Specialty veterans services — for military-themed wreaths, organizations like the American Legion or VFW partner with vendors
• Wreaths Across America — for laying at veteran graves, particularly around holidays

For wreaths over $150, ordering from a local florist near the funeral home is typically the best value.

Timing

Memorial wreaths should arrive at the funeral home or service location before the service begins. For graveside services, coordinate with the funeral director on placement timing. Patriotic wreath laying at military cemeteries typically follows specific scheduling.

Where to Display

Wreaths are typically displayed:

• On an easel near the casket at the funeral home or church
• Hung from a stand at the front of the service venue
• Placed at the graveside during burial
• Carried in procession for some military and formal services

The funeral director will coordinate placement; you don’t need to specify.

A Final Note

Memorial wreaths are a more traditional and somewhat more formal gesture than other funeral arrangements. They are particularly meaningful when sent for services that honor service, tradition, or formal ceremony — veterans, religious, civic, organizational. For modern celebrations of life or casual memorial services, a wreath may feel slightly overformal; a standing spray or sympathy bouquet is more in keeping.

For the broader basics, see our complete guide to sending funeral flowers.