Choosing a funeral bouquet for a man: here's how to do it personally
What do you give someone to take home when saying goodbye to a man? For many people, that choice feels uncomfortable. When it comes to funeral bouquets, you quickly think of something classic white or a soft pastel bouquet. A funeral bouquet for a man can be personal, colorful, or even somber, as long as it suits who he was.
At Kibb in Haarlem, we have been helping you make that choice calmly for years. We are in the shop ourselves, think along with you, and deliver in the region with our own courier. In this article, you will read what to look for in a funeral bouquet for a man, which colors and flowers often suit him, and how to make it truly personal.
Table of contents
- What makes a funeral bouquet for a man different
- Which colors suit a funeral bouquet for a man?
- Which flowers work well
- Four funeral bouquets, four men
- Personalize with ribbon and card
- Delivery to the funeral location or home
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Personal advice
What makes a funeral bouquet for a man different
A funeral bouquet for a man differs primarily in tone, not in rules. The choice is less often about softness and romance, and more about strength, tranquility, or nature. Moreover, a male funeral bouquet more often aligns with a hobby, profession, or character trait. Was he a sea lover? A cyclist? A gardener at heart? You can take this into account when choosing flowers and color.
Men also regularly receive a somewhat more subdued bouquet, rather than an exuberant bunch. A restrained bunch with a strong form often does more justice than something exuberantly pink or pastel.
Which colors suit a funeral bouquet for a man?
The most popular colors for a funeral bouquet for a man are:
White for peace and respect, sometimes with a green accent.
deep red or burgundy for warmth and connection
dark blue or purple for an understated, powerful look
greenery for a natural, earthy atmosphere
Combinations also work well. White with green has something understated and respectful about it. Bordeaux with dark green feels warm and serious at the same time. In the shop, we also regularly create a bouquet in dark autumn colors if the husband was a nature lover.
Bright colors like yellow or fuchsia are seen less often. But if the deceased was a cheerful, colorful man himself, you can certainly opt for those. A funeral bouquet may reflect a person's character, even if that goes against the cliché.
Which flowers work well?
A few flowers recur frequently:
roses, especially in deep red or white, for love, respect, and reverence; lilies, for peace and solemnity; anthuriums, for a sleek, modern look; sunflowers, for warmth and remembrance of someone with an open character; tulips, understated and Dutch, beautiful for a man who valued simplicity; wildflowers or cut flowers, for a natural, relaxed atmosphere.
Which flowers are appropriate depends on the man's character and the style of the funeral. A subdued, classic funeral calls for different choices than a personal ceremony at home or outdoors.
Four bouquets, four men
Sometimes it helps to think concretely in terms of examples. Below are four common characters and bouquets that match them.
The nature lover. Wildflowers, greenery, some branches and grasses. Not tightly bound, but rather looser and breathable. Optionally with a small flowering branch from his own garden.
The businessman. A tightly bound bouquet in white and dark green, with anthuriums or white roses. Calm and distinguished, with a clear form.
The warm storyteller. A round, full bouquet with deep red roses, dark purple anemones, and some greenery. Warm and sturdy, without becoming exuberant.
The silent force. White roses or lilies, dark green, a ribbon in dark blue or grey. Simple and small-scale, but with attention to detail.
Personalize with ribbon and card
A funeral bouquet for a man often becomes even more personal with a ribbon and a card. You can have a short text placed on the ribbon, such as the sender's name or a brief message. Something like "For Dad" or "Dear Uncle Henk, thanks for everything" often works better than a long sentence.
A card is good for a more personal message. Keep it short, honest, and in your own words. A few lines that truly come from you touch more than a neat, formal text.
Delivery to the funeral location or home
A funeral bouquet can be delivered to various locations: the funeral home, the crematorium, the church, or to the bereaved family's home. The location you choose depends on the type of farewell and the family's wishes.
For a funeral or cremation, you usually hand over the bouquet to the funeral location itself before the start of the ceremony. For a condolence gathering at home, home delivery is appropriate. At Kibb, we handle delivery in Haarlem and the surrounding area with our own courier, ensuring the bouquet is at the right place at the right time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What color funeral bouquet suits a man?
Classic white, deep red, or dark blue often work well. But the truly best color is the color that suited who he was. If he loved yellow, choose yellow.
How big is a funeral bouquet for a man usually?
A funeral bouquet is usually medium-sized, just slightly larger than a standard bouquet. For a condolence gathering at home, you often choose a smaller size. For a funeral arrangement on the coffin, you choose a larger variant.
Can a funeral bouquet for a man have color?
Certainly. Many men receive a somber bouquet in white or dark shades, but if the deceased had a colorful personality, the bouquet may reflect that as well.
What do you put on the ribbon of a funeral bouquet?
Keep it short and personal. Something like "For Dad," "Hi Grandpa, thank you," or the names of the senders. A long text rarely works well.
How far in advance do you order a funeral bouquet?
Preferably at least a day in advance if you want something specific put together. For emergencies, you can call us in Haarlem, and we will see what we can do for the same day.
Can you deliver a funeral bouquet in Haarlem?
Yes, with our own courier, we deliver funeral bouquets throughout Haarlem and the surrounding area, including at specific times for a funeral or cremation.
Personal advice
Unsure about the right choice for a funeral bouquet for a man? We completely understand. Stop by Kibb at our shop on Marsmanplein in Haarlem, or give us a call. We will take our time to think things through with you, without pressure, and put together something that reflects who he was. Would you prefer to view the full range first? You can find more examples on our funeral flowers page.
More than 30 years of experience
Kibb Flowers has over 30 years of experience in the flower and interior design industry. The sustainable flower shop in Haarlem specializes in funeral flowers and is, or was, involved in major projects, such as the MH17 memorial service. Using the most beautiful flowers, Kibb Flowers creates the most extraordinary arrangements. 'Kibb with a double B,' Jeroen winks in the Insta videos. Kibb Flowers purchases sustainably certified flowers fresh from the auction daily.
