How to Make a Professional Coffin Spray (Beginner-Friendly Guide) | Blog

Creating a coffin spray yourself can be a meaningful way to honour a loved one while also reducing funeral costs. With the right materials, a little preparation, and a clear method, even complete beginners can make a full, lush tribute that feels natural and heartfelt. This step-by-step tutorial covers exactly what to buy, how to prepare your flowers, and how to build a balanced coffin spray from start to finish. I have also recorded a video that walks you through these steps so you can watch while you work.

Step 1: Sourcing Your Materials

You don't need formal floristry experience to gather what you need. Many wholesalers sell to the public, and most supplies are easy to source from garden centres or online.

Tools

Scissors
Secateurs
1-2 blocks of floral foam (such as Oasis)
A brick tray in your chosen size
Pot tape (waterproof floral tape)

Living Materials

Foliage suggestions (greens):

Leather leaf
Eucalyptus (any variety)
Ruscus

Focal flower suggestions (the "main" flowers):

Roses
Lilies
Sunflowers
Dahlias

Filler flower suggestions (to add volume and detail):

Aster
Spray roses
Eustoma (Lisianthus)
Carnations
Chrysanthemums

When to Buy Your Flowers

Purchase most stems 2-3 days before the funeral so they can hydrate.
Buy lilies about one week ahead so the blooms have time to open.
Expect wholesaler flowers to arrive in tight bud that needs rehydrating.

Choose a combination of flowers and foliage that suits the style and colour palette you want to create-there is no single right recipe. For a more naturalistic look, plan on roughly five focal flowers per foot; if you'd like a more packed, flower-heavy design, aim for closer to ten focal stems per foot.

Step 2: Preparing Your Materials

Conditioning Flowers and Foliage

Place stems in clean buckets of water somewhere cool and out of direct sunlight (a garage or shed works well).
Add flower food if you have it.
Remove packaging, strip excess leaves, and trim the stems at an angle to help them drink.

Preparing Your Mechanics

Soak the floral foam by letting it float on a bucket or bath of water-don't push it down.
Once each block sinks naturally, place it into the tray.
Secure with pot tape, crossing over the block once or twice while keeping most of the foam exposed.
Optionally trim the foam corners to create more surface area for stems.

Step 3: Greening Up (Creating the Shape)

A traditional coffin spray is diamond-shaped.

Build the outline: Use leather leaf or another pointed foliage. Insert stems at the four points to mark the length and width, then fill between these anchors until you have a clear two-dimensional diamond.
Establish the height: Coffin sprays should stay relatively low. Add a few short pieces of foliage on top of the foam to set your maximum height.
Fill in the greenery: Mix foliage varieties and keep adding greens until roughly 60-70% of the foam is covered. Avoid inserting stems too deeply so you leave space for flowers later.

Step 4: Adding Flowers

Start with focal flowers: Place the longest stems at the outer points of your diamond shape, then distribute the remaining focal flowers evenly. Mentally divide the spray into four segments and add similar quantities to each for balance.
Consider side views: Coffin sprays are often viewed from the side, so tilt stems slightly and avoid leaving the edges bare.
Add filler flowers: Use filler blooms to soften edges, fill gaps, and add texture. Break larger sprays into mini stems so the overall look stays smooth rather than "lumpy."

Step 5: Optional Finishing Touch

Many families attach a small card or ribbon message. It's not required, but a handwritten note or keepsake can add a gentle personal touch to your tribute.

Take your time, step back frequently to check the overall balance, and remember that a homemade coffin spray is valued for the love behind it as much as the polished finish.