Polish Cemetery Arrangements– How to Choose The Right One?

Question 1: Fresh or artificial flowers?

A funeral is one of the occasions where artificial flowers should not be used. The Polish tradition dictates that only fresh flowers are appropriate for a final farewell, as they symbolise the transience of life.

See also: Which flowers to choose for a Polish funeral?

However, if you are looking for an arrangement to decorate a grave afterwards, artificial flowers are perfectly acceptable. Their biggest advantage is durability, regardless of weather conditions. Artificial flowers don’t wilt, so if they’re made from good-quality materials, they’ll look beautiful for a long time. This is especially important if the graves of your loved ones are far from where you live, and you cannot tend to them regularly.

See also: Grave Care Services Poland

Artificial flowers do have drawbacks, though. Cheap artificial flowers don’t always look elegant, and high-quality ones may cost as much as fresh arrangements. Many florists don’t even offer artificial cemetery arrangements, due to their less aesthetic appearance.

Question 2: Cut flowers or potted plants?

If you’ve decided against artificial flowers, the next step is to choose between cut flowers or potted plants. Fresh cemetery flowers can be arranged as a beautiful cut flowers arrangement placed on the grave, or as live plants in soil.

Which plants and flowers are best for the cemetery?
Potted flowers on a grave are a great compromise between durability and an elegant look. The most recommended cemetery flowers include chrysanthemums, heathers, perennial asters, geraniums, begonias, and ornamental cabbages. Chrysanthemums are by far the bestseller in Poland. Available in many colours, they are such a staple that around All Saints’ Day, there is hardly a florist that doesn’t carry them.

Chrysantemums

Heathers

Both chrysanthemums and heathers are very durable, which is why they are a hallmark of autumn cemetery arrangements. For graves that are visited less frequently, it’s best to choose plants resistant to drought and frost.

Which cut flowers for the cemetery?
If you visit a loved one’s grave often, you can also opt for cut flowers and beautiful arrangements made on fresh greenery bases. When choosing cut flowers, it’s best to go for long-lasting varieties such as chrysanthemums, carnations, roses, and gerberas.

Yellow chrysanthemums
Yellow chrysanthemums brighten up the grave with their warm colour, symbolising remembrance, respect, and eternal life, while also adding a touch of light to the autumn landscape.

Red carnations

White Gerberas

Many people also choose tall and elegant gladiolus, which can last in a cemetery vase for up to two weeks. Don’t forget to check whether the grave already has a vase for displaying cut flowers.

If you decide on fresh arrangements or cemetery bouquets made on a greenery base, it’s worth considering what format your composition should take.

Question 3. Which fresh arrangements for the cemetery?

The most beautiful cemetery arrangements on a natural base can take the form of a wreath, a spray, a heart-shaped design, or a simple bouquet for the grave.

The Most Beautiful Cemetery Sprays

Funeral sprays are floral arrangements that serve a similar purpose to wreaths. The first noticeable difference, however, is their size — sprays are much smaller and more manageable. They resemble a bouquet arranged flat, and thanks to this structure they can be placed not only directly on the grave or headstone, but also in vases, which are now increasingly common elements of gravestones.

One of the biggest advantages of sprays is their versatility. Florists from local Euroflorist partner shops can prepare them using practically any type of fresh flower. This means that a much wider variety of blooms can be used beyond the most popular choices like roses, gerberas, or chrysanthemums.

Customers often choose fresh flower sprays for the cemetery, as they are widely considered to be far more elegant than those made of artificial flowers.

Cemetery Sprays – Fresh Base or Artificial?

Choosing a cemetery spray isn’t only about the flowers. Equally important is the base on which the arrangement is built. The base not only supports the entire composition but also defines its shape and style. The most popular choice among customers are funeral sprays made on a spruce base with fresh flowers. Evergreen branches provide a beautiful, elegant foundation that highlights the flowers perfectly.

Another option is a funeral spray on a floral foam base. In this case, flowers are arranged in water-soaked floral foam, which helps them stay fresh much longer. This solution works particularly well if a long car journey awaits.

As mentioned earlier, cemetery sprays are extremely versatile and allow for many display options. Apart from the most common practice of laying them directly on the grave, they can also be placed in a vase or arranged in a pot. Sprays arranged in a vase are an excellent solution, as the flowers have constant access to water, allowing them to remain fresh longer. Another equally effective option is placing them in a pot with floral foam soaked in water, which also ensures prolonged freshness. The cost of these solutions is usually comparable to that of a standard spray.

Funeral Sprays for an Urn
What if, instead of a traditional cemetery spray, you need one for an urn? In this case, it’s best to choose arrangements that resemble decorative pieces rather than standard sprays. This could be a small Roman-style wreath with the urn placed in the center, or a surrounding floral decoration made of flowers, branches, and other decorative materials. Florists also recommend very delicate touches, such as single flowers attached to the urn’s lid, creating an elegant and subtle tribute.