Standing Sprays: The Versatile Funeral Tribute

If you’re sending flowers to a funeral, there’s a good chance a standing spray is the right choice. Standing sprays are the most common funeral floral tribute — large, freestanding arrangements displayed on easels at the funeral home and church, designed to make a visible impression at the service. They are the workhorse of funeral flowers, appropriate for nearly any sender and nearly any relationship to the deceased.

This guide covers what standing sprays look like, who sends them, what they cost, and how to choose the right one.

What Is a Standing Spray?

A standing spray is a large floral arrangement built on a wire easel that sits upright on the floor at the funeral home or church. Unlike a casket spray (which lies horizontally on top of the casket), a standing spray stands vertically and is typically displayed alongside other arrangements at the service.

Standing sprays:

• Stand 4-6 feet tall including the easel
• Are one-sided — designed to be viewed from the front, with the back left less filled
• Are oval, teardrop, or fan-shaped in their basic form
• Feature substantial flowers combined with greenery, designed to read clearly at distance

A funeral typically has several standing sprays from different senders, displayed around the casket or memorial photo.

Who Sends Standing Sprays?

Standing sprays are appropriate from:

• Close family members outside the immediate family (aunts, uncles, cousins, in-laws, longtime family friends)
• Close friends of the deceased or the bereaved
• Workplace groups (a single substantial standing spray from “the team at [Company]”)
• Organizations the deceased was affiliated with (church groups, civic organizations, alumni associations)
• Neighbors with longstanding relationships

For immediate family, standing sprays are often sent in addition to a casket spray. For everyone else, standing sprays are the typical primary gesture for those sending to the funeral home.

Sizes

Standing sprays typically come in three sizes:

Standard

The most common size, appropriate for nearly any sender. Approximately 4-5 feet tall on the easel. Modest visual presence but reads clearly at distance.

Price range: $100-$175

Deluxe

Larger and more substantial, with more flowers and a fuller arrangement. 5-6 feet tall.

Price range: $175-$275

Premium

Custom or oversized, often with premium flowers (orchids, casa blanca lilies, premium roses). 5-7 feet tall, dominant visual presence.

Price range: $275-$500

For most senders, the standard size is exactly right. The visual impact difference between standard and deluxe is real but not dramatic; for $50-$100 more, you get a fuller arrangement but the same essential visual presence.

The deluxe and premium sizes are appropriate for close family, organizational gifts, or when you want the arrangement to be particularly noticeable.

Shapes and Styles

Standing sprays come in several traditional shapes:

Oval / Teardrop

The most traditional and universally appropriate shape. A wide oval that tapers slightly toward the top, displayed on a wire easel. Works for any funeral.

Fan / Spray

A fan-shaped arrangement that radiates outward from a central point. More dramatic visual presence than the oval. Traditional for Catholic and Christian funerals.

Cross-shaped

A cross-shaped floral arrangement on an easel. Specifically appropriate for Christian funerals (particularly Catholic and Orthodox). Should not be sent to LDS, Jewish, Muslim, or Hindu funerals.

Heart-shaped

A heart-shaped arrangement on an easel. Appropriate from close family, particularly for the loss of a spouse, child, or parent.

Wreath-shaped

A circular wreath on an easel, sometimes called a “memorial wreath.” Traditional and appropriate at any funeral.

For most senders, an oval or teardrop standing spray is the right default. If you want to signal a particular relationship or religious context, the heart or cross shapes make that more specific.

Traditional Flower Choices

Standing sprays typically feature substantial focal flowers paired with greenery:

• White roses — universal, formal
• Casa blanca lilies — large, fragrant, dramatic; signature funeral flower
• Stargazer lilies — pink-and-white, warm
• Hydrangeas — full, soft, often white or pale blue
• Carnations — traditional, often used in volume for a fuller arrangement
• Chrysanthemums — traditional funeral flower, particularly in Europe and in older American traditions
• Gladioli — tall, dramatic spires
• Snapdragons — height and texture

Paired with:

• Eucalyptus, salal, ferns — greenery
• Baby’s breath — soft white filler
• Statice or limonium — texture

Color Choices

The most traditional choice is white-dominant with green foliage. This is universally appropriate and reads as reverent at any service.

Other options:

• White and pale pink — gentle, warm
• White and pale yellow — celebrates a long life
• White and lavender — soft and contemplative
• White and red roses — formal and warm, often from family
• Bright colors — only when family has requested a celebration of life

For most senders, “designer’s choice white funeral standing spray” is exactly the right order. The florist will create a beautiful traditional arrangement, and you don’t need to specify further.

Pricing in 2026

Standing spray pricing in 2026:

These ranges are for major online florists (1-800-Flowers, Teleflora, FromYouFlowers, ProFlowers) and average local florists. Premium local florists may charge 20-30% more for higher quality.

For coworker and acquaintance senders, $100-$175 is appropriate. For close friends and extended family, $150-$275 is the typical range. For very close family, $250-$400.

Where to Order

Standing sprays can be ordered from:

• Major online networks — convenient, reliable, consistent pricing
• Teleflora’s local florist network — they coordinate with local florists near the funeral home for delivery
• Local florists — often better value for $200+ arrangements; check Google Maps for florists near the funeral home
• The funeral home — many funeral homes coordinate with a partner florist; you can order through them

For arrangements above $200, ordering from a local florist near the funeral home often gives you noticeably better quality for the same price. Major networks fulfill through these same local florists but with markup.

Timing

Standing sprays should arrive at the funeral home before the visitation or the service. Standard timing:

• Order by 2pm local time for same-day delivery (most major florists)
• Order at least 24 hours ahead for guaranteed timing
• For weekend or holiday services, order 24-48 hours ahead
• For out-of-town services, allow 48 hours and confirm with the funeral home

What to Write on the Card

For standing sprays, the card is brief:

• “With Deepest Sympathy” — universal
• “In Loving Memory” — warm and appropriate
• “Forever in Our Hearts” — personal
• Your name — first and last, plus a brief context if needed (e.g., “[Name], coworker at [Company]”)

A separate handwritten note is sometimes included for closer relationships. For workplace arrangements, “Your colleagues at [Company]” or a card signed by all contributors.

A Final Note

The standing spray is the right default choice for most senders to most funerals. If you’re uncertain what to order, a $125-$175 standard white standing spray sent to the funeral home with a brief card is appropriate from virtually any sender to virtually any service.

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