Wreath Stands at Funerals: When They’re Appropriate (and How Spearwood Florist Can Help)

Funerals are emotional, overwhelming days. Families are trying to make dozens of decisions while dealing with grief, and something as simple as where the flowers go can suddenly feel complicated.

One question we’re asked at Spearwood Florist repeatedly is:

“Can you please put our wreath on a stand?”

The short answer is: sometimes yes, sometimes no – it depends on customs, traditions, and on what the immediate family are doing with their own floral tributes. In this article, we’ll gently walk you through when wreath stands are appropriate, when they’re better avoided, and how we can help you with stands for services at churches, chapels and cemeteries around Perth.

What Is a Wreath Stand and Why Use One?

A wreath stand is a metal or wooden easel designed to hold a wreath upright. Instead of the wreath lying flat on the ground or on a casket, it stands at eye level where everyone can see it clearly.

Reasons people like using stands:

• The flowers are more visible in the chapel or at the cemetery.
• A stand can make a tribute from a group – such as a workplace, club or community organisation – feel more formal and prominent.
• Wreaths on stands often appear nicely in photos taken at the service.

Wreath stands can be very helpful, but like everything at a funeral, they sit within a framework of etiquette and tradition.

Wreath Etiquette: Respecting the Immediate Family

In most funeral traditions, the immediate family (spouse, children, parents, siblings) have “first say” over:

• The main casket spray
• Any family wreaths
• Where and how those tributes are displayed

If the family has chosen to have their own wreaths on stands, it is usually perfectly acceptable – and often appreciated – for close friends, colleagues or community groups to also place their wreaths on stands nearby. This creates a coordinated, respectful display that frames the casket or memorial table.

However, if the immediate family does not have any wreaths on stands, it can feel visually and culturally inappropriate for others to “tower above” the family’s tributes. In some cultures, it may even be seen as overshadowing or competing with the main family flowers.

That’s why, at Spearwood Florist, our general guideline is:

Wreaths on stands are appropriate when the immediate family is also using stands.

If they are not, we will gently recommend other options that still honour the person beautifully without causing unintentional discomfort.

When Wreaths on Stands Are Most Appropriate

Here are some common situations where using stands is entirely suitable – and often preferred.

1. Family wreaths around the casket

When the main casket spray is in place, immediate family may decide to place one or two wreaths on stands close by. These might be from:

• Spouse and children
• Parents or siblings
• Grandchildren collectively

If this is the family’s choice, other important groups (for example, a long-term employer, a sporting club, an RSL sub-branch or community organisation) may also place their wreaths on stands in the same area.

2. Services in larger chapels or churches

In a larger space, wreaths lying flat on the floor can get “lost”. Stands make it much easier for mourners to see:

• The message on the ribbon or card
• Which group or person the wreath is from
• The colours and flowers chosen in the tribute

In these venues, a small “gallery” of wreaths on stands can frame the front of the chapel beautifully while keeping the focus on the casket and family.

3. Official or military-style ceremonies

For services involving RSL groups, emergency services, government organisations or public figures, wreaths on stands (or on designated plinths) are often part of the formal protocol.

In these cases, a coordinated look matters – similar-sized wreaths, matching ribbon styles and stands lined up neatly. Spearwood Florist can work with funeral directors or ceremony organisers to ensure consistency across all tributes.

When Wreaths Are Better Laid Than Stood

There are also many situations where it’s more respectful – and often more practical – to lay wreaths flat rather than display them on stands.

1. The family has chosen a simple, low-key tribute

If the immediate family is using just a casket spray and perhaps a few small sheaf bouquets, adding tall stands from other groups can visually overpower the family’s choice. In this case, we’ll usually suggest laying wreaths:

• At the base of the casket
• Beside a photo or memory table
• Around the grave at the cemetery

This keeps the visual hierarchy clear and honours the family’s preference for a simpler setting.

2. Space is very limited

Some chapels and graveside areas are physically small. Filling them with stands can create trip hazards, block pathways or leave little room for pallbearers, clergy and family.

In tight spaces, we recommend:

• One main family wreath on a stand (if desired)
• All other tributes laid neatly on the floor or at the graveside

Your funeral director will often advise on what the venue can safely accommodate – and we’ll always follow their lead.

3. Cultural or religious customs discourage stands

Different cultures and faith traditions have their own expectations around funeral flowers. In some, it may be more appropriate for all tributes to be placed directly on the casket or grave rather than on stands.

If you’re unsure, we always encourage you to:

• Check with your funeral director
• Ask a family elder or faith leader
• Share any specific customs with us when you order

At Spearwood Florist, we respect these traditions and will guide you towards options that align with your family’s values.

How Spearwood Florist Supports You with Wreath Stands

Because we work regularly with Fremantle Cemetery, Karrakatta, Pinnaroo and many Perth churches and chapels, we understand the practical details of where wreath stands work well – and where they simply don’t fit.

To make things easier for families and funeral directors, we:

• Provide wreath stands on loan for our customers’ wreaths
• Sometimes loan stands to funeral directors for coordinated displays
• Ensure each stand is clean, sturdy and appropriate for the venue
• Help position the stands at the service or advise the funeral staff how they’re best arranged

There’s usually no extra charge for use of our stands when you order wreaths from Spearwood Florist – we see it as part of providing a complete, respectful funeral flower service. However, on some occasions we may require a deposit, which is refundable upon return of the stand.

Practical Tips When Ordering a Wreath

If you’re arranging a wreath for a funeral and wondering about stands, here are some simple steps to follow:

1. Check with the family or funeral director
   • Are the immediate family using wreath stands?
   • Does the chapel or cemetery allow stands in the area you’re thinking of?
2. Tell us who the wreath is from
   • Immediate family, extended family, workplace, club, school or community group
   • This helps us advise you on size, style and whether a stand is suitable.
3. Share the service details
   • Date, time and venue
   • Whether the wreath is for the chapel, graveside or both
4. Ask about wording and ribbon colours
   • We can suggest appropriate phrases such as “In Loving Memory”, “With Deepest Sympathy” or custom wording for RSL and club tributes.
   • Ribbon colours can reflect personal favourites, club colours or traditional tones like navy, black or white.
5. Let us handle the logistics
   • We deliver your wreath to the chapel or cemetery
   • If a stand is appropriate, we’ll arrange with the funeral directors to ensure it’s set up correctly and collected afterwards.

Remember: It’s About Respect, Not Perfection

In the end, grief doesn’t come with a rulebook. Families do the best they can with the information and time they have. Wreath etiquette isn’t about being “right” or “wrong” – it’s about showing respect for:

• The person who has died
• The wishes of their immediate family
• The customs and traditions of the community

At Spearwood Florist, our role is to support you quietly in the background: helping you choose appropriate tributes, advising on stands when needed, and liaising with funeral directors so you don’t have to worry about the small details.

If you’re ever unsure about whether your wreath should be on a stand or laid flat, simply call us or visit the shop. We’ll talk through the service, the family’s wishes and the venue, and together we’ll choose the most respectful option.

Beautiful flowers and thoughtful presentation can’t take away the sadness of a farewell – but they can offer comfort, dignity and a sense of care. And that, more than anything, is what we aim to provide every time we create a funeral wreath at Spearwood Florist.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1) Do I need a stand/easel for a funeral wreath?
The short answer is: it depends on the immediate family.

• The golden rule: If the immediate family (spouse, parents, children) are displaying their tributes on stands, it’s perfectly appropriate—and often appreciated—for friends, colleagues, or clubs to do the same. This creates a coordinated “gallery” of flowers.

• When to avoid it: If the family has chosen a simple, low-key tribute (e.g., just a casket spray), placing your wreath on a tall stand can visually “tower above” or overshadow the family’s flowers. In this case, it’s more respectful to have your wreath laid flat.

2) What are the benefits of using a wreath stand?
A wreath stand (easel) holds the flowers upright at eye level. This makes the tribute more visible in large chapels or churches, ensures the message on the ribbon can be read clearly by mourners, and often looks better in service photographs.

3) Can I hire a stand from Spearwood Florist?
Where available, we can arrange stand hire with a refundable deposit and return conditions. Availability can vary, so ordering early helps.

4) What size wreath works best on a stand?
Medium to large wreaths display best on stands. Very small wreaths can look disproportionate on standard easels.

5) Do you collect stands after the service?
Stands are typically returned by the customer unless otherwise arranged.

6) When is it better to lay a wreath flat?
There are three main reasons to lay a wreath flat rather than use a stand:

• Respecting hierarchy: To avoid overpowering the immediate family’s tributes.

• Limited space: Small chapels or graveside areas can become overcrowded with stands, creating trip hazards.

• Cultural custom: Some traditions prefer flowers to be placed directly on the casket or ground.

7) I’m sending a tribute from a club or workplace. Should we use a stand?
For “official” tributes from RSL sub-branches, sporting clubs, or large workplaces, stands are often preferred as they look formal and dignified. Tip: Let us know who the wreath is from when you order—we can help you choose a ribbon style and stand that suits the service protocol.

8) How do I know what the family wants?
If you’re unsure, the best approach is to check with the funeral director or ask us to find out for you. We regularly work with Perth’s funeral directors and can advise on what the venue allows and what the family has requested.