Posted by: jilladmin July 14th, 2025

While we understand that everyone has a budget, adding the word cheap to funeral just doesn’t feel appropriate. We prefer to talk about affordable or inexpensive flowers. And, as much as everyone in the floral industry will disagree with me, sometimes you’re better off not sending flowers at all than buying “cheap flowers.”

Why are funeral flowers so expensive?

It’s a fair question. The reason funeral flowers cost more is because they’re large, elaborate designs that require a significant number of flowers.

Take for example, our All-White Casket Spray: once completed, it will have well over 100 different blooms in it, a very generous amount of foliage and will take close to two hours of skilled labor. Or consider our Beautiful Condolences standing spray—did you know it includes over 50 different blooms and takes more than an hour of floral design expertise to make?

Most funeral arrangements are large because they need to be visible in a church, cemetery, or funeral chapel during visitation.

 

... But, I see “Cheap Funeral Arrangements” online all the time

As florists, we often visit funeral homes and have seen our share of “cheap flowers.” These are usually sold by resellers and end up on Reddit’s Expectation vs. Reality threads. These type of businesses are the ones who invented “fine print” and funeral service is not the time to test them out. (this is what we mean by better not sending flowers at all)

Speaking of fine print—if it says “comes delivered in a box,” it means it’s just a bunch of flowers tied with a rubber band, unarranged. And believe us when we say: funeral directors are not floral designers. Their expertise is in arranging funerals, not flowers.

In case no one mentioned this before, it’s considered inappropriate and contrary to funeral etiquette to send a box of unarranged flowers to the funeral home or the bereaved family’s home.

How to save money on funeral flowers (without sending “cheap flowers”):

- Talk to a real local florist:

A professional, trained florist can help you choose designs that maximize impact without overspending. Floral Designers can recommend flowers that offer more value and provide different options and price points for the same overall look. 

- Pool flower funds with friends and family:

This is one of our favorite solutions. We’ve had many families at Scent & Violet organize flower funds where relatives, friends, and colleagues contribute what they can—sometimes as little as $20, sometimes as much as $500. We've even seen people raise more than expected, which allowed families to choose extra flowers, donate to a favorite charity, or help with other expenses. 

- Community Based DIY

Another option is to order bulk flowers and ask friends (especially gardening club members or church flower volunteers) to help make flower arrangements. This saves money and adds a personal, community-driven touch.

How senders can save money on sympathy flowers:

- Send a plant

Plants are becoming a very popular option—especially when families wish to create a memorial garden. They’re long-lasting, easy to care for, and more affordable than large flower arrangements.

- Send sympathy flowers to the home or office

You don’t need to send large funeral arrangements. Sending a smaller bouquet or plant to the family’s home or workplace is thoughtful, appropriate, and often more affordable.

Other inexpensive ways to express sympathy:

- Send a heartfelt sympathy card — words of comfort are greatly appreciated during grieving

- Send a personal email or text message—it costs nothing but your time and thoughtfulness.

- Bring a candle or take food to the family of the deceased               

- Support their local charity with donation (even the smallest donations can make great impact)

- There are many meaningful ways to express condolences without feeling like you have to choose between “cheap” or “expensive.”

Thoughtfulness doesn’t have to cost much—and it should never feel cheap.

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Scent & Violet, flowers and gifts is a full service florist in Houston, TX offering flower, plant and gift delivery in Houston, Katy, Richmond, Fulshear, Sugar Land and Bellaire. We aim to create fuss-free, everyday shopping source for flowers, plants, and gifts. It is our belief that we can create better relationships through gifting, better environments through plants, and better state of mind through flowers.