Bespoke funeral tributes: personalised sympathy flowers by Fleur by DK

24 September 2025

Funerals are a time to honour life, share memories, and offer comfort to those grieving. They bring family and friends together to reflect on a loved one’s journey, creating moments of connection through words, music, and rituals. Among these rituals, flowers hold a particularly meaningful place. They provide not just beauty, but also a silent language of love, remembrance, and respect.


At Fleur by DK in Merivale, Christchurch, we believe flowers are more than decoration — they are symbols of compassion and memory at life’s most tender moments. Led by award-winning florist Debra Kinnaird, our experienced team listens carefully to each family, creating arrangements that capture the personality and spirit of the one being remembered. Whether it’s through a bespoke tribute, a simple spray, or a carefully chosen bouquet, our goal is to provide solace and celebrate individuality through the beauty of flowers.



Floral arrangement in a white urn. Pink roses, white flowers, greenery, and branches against a gray wall.

The meaning behind traditional funeral flowers

Certain blooms have become deeply associated with remembrance and sympathy, each carrying symbolism that can help express feelings words sometimes cannot. At Fleur by DK, we honour these traditions while tailoring every design to your wishes.


  • Lilies – Perhaps the most traditional funeral flower, white lilies symbolise purity of the soul and renewal after death.


  • Roses – White roses express reverence and innocence, red roses convey love and respect, while yellow roses represent friendship.


  • Carnations – A classic choice for sprays and wreaths. White carnations symbolise pure love, while pink carnations are often chosen as a sign of remembrance.


  • Chrysanthemums – In New Zealand and other Western cultures, they represent sympathy and honour. In Europe and Asia, they are closely tied to death and grief.


  • Orchids – White or pink orchids symbolise eternal love and delicate sympathy.


  • Gladioli – Tall and elegant, they represent strength of character and moral integrity.


We offer a wide range of arrangements — from wreaths of eternal life to casket sprays and sympathy bouquets — all customisable in colour and style to reflect your personal sentiments.


White floral wreath with lilies, roses, and other greenery on a green surface.

Custom funeral flowers in Christchurch

While many families find comfort in traditional designs, sometimes grief calls for something uniquely personal. At Fleur by DK, we specialise in bespoke funeral tributes that reflect the true essence of your loved one.


We take the time to understand their story — perhaps a favourite flower, a colour they always wore, or a style that reflects their personality. These details can be incorporated into your arrangement, ensuring it not only pays tribute but also feels deeply meaningful to family and friends.


For example, a gardener may be honoured with rustic, nature-inspired florals. Someone who loved bold colours may be remembered with vibrant roses and orchids. A soft, pastel palette might be chosen to symbolise peace and serenity. Our team will work with you to create an arrangement that feels right, personal, and heartfelt.


Compassionate service when it matters most

We understand that organising funeral flowers can feel overwhelming during a time of loss. That’s why our team provides gentle guidance and support, helping you choose arrangements that feel appropriate while handling every detail with care.

As one of Christchurch’s most trusted florists, we are proud to offer:



  • Personal consultations to help design tributes that reflect your wishes.


  • Same-day delivery across Christchurch and Canterbury, ensuring flowers arrive fresh and beautifully presented.


  • A reputation built on artistry, compassion, and trust — qualities that families value most during such difficult times.


White floral wreath, flowers including lilies, roses, and freesias.

Booking a consultation

If you are in need of funeral flowers in Christchurch, we invite you to visit our Merivale flower shop or call us to arrange a private consultation. Together, we can discuss your preferences in a relaxed, supportive environment and design arrangements that honour your loved one in the most fitting way.


📍 Fleur by DK Floral Design
 2A/186 Papanui Road, Merivale, Christchurch


 📞 03 355 0464


Flowers may not take away grief, but they offer comfort, express love, and create a lasting tribute. At Fleur by DK, it is our privilege to help you say farewell with dignity, beauty, and compassion.

Dried flower in a textured vase on a light wooden surface, against a two-toned gray and white backdrop.

Stem to vase: mastering the art of flower display with Fleur by DK

25 August 2025
Selecting the perfect vase for your flowers is an art that can dramatically transform your floral arrangements from ordinary to extraordinary. Whether you're displaying fresh blooms from your local florist Christchurch or creating stunning centrepieces for special occasions, the right vase choice enhances both the beauty and longevity of your fresh flowers. As award-winning florists, Fleur by DK have arranged thousands of bouquets for flower delivery in Christchurch , and we understand how the vessel you choose is just as important as the flowers themselves. Understanding vase fundamentals: shape, size, and function The foundation of exceptional flower arranging begins with understanding how different vase shapes serve specific purposes. There are multiple factors to consider when selecting vases for fresh flower arrangements, including stem length, flower type, arrangement style, and placement location. · Round vases represent the most versatile option in any florist's toolkit. Globe-shaped they feature wide bottoms that taper to slightly narrower openings, creating a natural support for flower stems while allowing for organic, flowing arrangements. The rounded shape encourages stems to spread naturally, creating a volume and movement that's beautifully effective for mixed bouquets and flower arrangements. · Tall, straight vases excel with long-stemmed flowers such as lilies, gladioli, and romantic roses. The vertical shape provides essential support for flowers with a good stem length while exploiting the dramatic height in your arrangements to create elegant proportions that draw the eye upward. · Small or bud vases serve multiple purposes, from showcasing single statement blooms to creating clustered arrangements with multiple small vessels. These compact vases are perfect for intimate table settings, or when you want to distribute floral beauty throughout multiple rooms. 
Woman receiving a bouquet of flowers at her front door. A delivery person smiles in the background.

Fleur by DK: changing the perceptions of flower gifting in Christchurch

4 August 2025
Flower giving has always held a special place in human culture, an age-old way to say, ‘I love you,’ flowers to say, ‘I’m sorry,’ or simply ‘I’m thinking of you.’ But as the world changes, so do gifting habits. Today, the act of giving flowers has expanded far beyond romance, branching into self-care, friendship, activism, and personal storytelling. At Fleur by DK, an award-winning boutique florist in Christchurch NZ, we’ve seen firsthand how attitudes towards floral gifting are evolving. And we’re embracing every beautiful shift. Whether you’re searching for wedding flowers Christchurch, thoughtful gifts for her Christchurch, or even a way to brighten a hospital room with flowers Christchurch hospital delivery, the reasons behind flower giving today are more diverse, and more meaningful, than ever before. 1. Exceedingly romantic, but flowers for every relationship Traditionally, flowers have been strongly linked to romantic gestures. But today, more people are embracing flowers as gifts for friends, colleagues, neighbours, and themselves. Sending a bouquet is no longer reserved for Valentine’s Day (although Valentine’s Day flowers Christchurch are still a top seller ); it’s about acknowledging meaningful relationships in all their forms. Think about a bright, cheerful posy sent to a friend who’s just landed a new job. Or a calming arrangement delivered to a family member recovering in hospital. Our same day flower delivery Christchurch service makes it easy to show you care, immediately (order flowers online for Christchurch) and sincerely. 2. Self-care, floral-style One of the most exciting trends we’ve seen as a Papanui Road florist Christchurch is the rise of flowers as self-care. Buying flowers for your own home is no longer considered indulgent, but an affordable luxury. Fresh flowers lift your mood, lower stress, and bring a sense of calm. Many clients come to our flower shop Christchurch not because they need a gift, but because they want to feel better. And they leave with a bunch of local tulips or delicately scented freesias in hand, and a visible lift in spirit. For those who can’t make it into our Merivale florist, check our wide selection of flowers online Christchurch ; treating yourself to a beautiful bouquet is as easy as clicking a button. 3. The social media influence Social media plays a massive role in modernising floral gifting reminding people that flowers aren’t just for milestones, they can celebrate everyday beauty. Instagram-worthy arrangements and Pinterest boards filled with dreamy petals have ignited people’s love and appreciation for the artistry behind floristry. Thanks to this visibility, florists are no longer seen simply as vendors of flower bouquets. Rather, at Fleur by DK Christchurch, we are celebrated for our creative designs with each bouquet a work of living art. 
More posts