Funeral work is the backbone of many high street florists, yet it remains one of the areas where florists most commonly underprice. The pressure to quote quickly over the phone means many undercharge by £10 to £30 per tribute without realising it. Getting your pricing right is about valuing the skill, time, and materials that go into this work.
Understanding Your Cost Components
OASIS Foam Frames
OASIS frames are the foundation of most tribute work. Prices vary by supplier, but here are typical costs:
- Letter frames: £3.00-£5.50 per letter. Wider letters like M and W cost more than narrow letters like I. Pre-made word frames (MUM, DAD, NAN, GRANDAD) can offer savings over individual letters.
- Small shapes (hearts, crosses up to 15 inches): £3.50-£8.00
- Medium shapes (18 to 24 inches): £6.00-£14.00
- Large shapes (gates of heaven, cushions): £8.00-£25.00+
- Specialty and 3D frames: £15.00-£40.00+
Always factor in the frame cost when pricing. Across hundreds of tributes per year, overlooked frame costs add up to thousands of pounds.
Flowers by Type
| Flower Type | Wholesale Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Chrysanthemum (bloom) | £0.80-£1.50 | Based work, edging |
| Spray chrysanthemum | £0.50-£0.90 | Filling and basing |
| Standard rose | £0.80-£1.60 | Focal flowers |
| Premium rose (Naomi) | £1.50-£3.00 | Luxury tributes |
| Lily (Oriental) | £2.50-£5.00 | Statement pieces |
| Carnation | £0.30-£0.60 | Economical basing |
| Gypsophila | £1.00-£2.00 per bunch | Edging and filling |
Basing Costs — The Hidden Expense
Basing a tribute — covering the foam entirely in short-cut flowers before adding the focal design — is where a significant portion of your cost sits. A single letter typically requires 15 to 25 chrysanthemum heads for a full base. At £1.00 per stem, basing alone costs £15 to £25 per letter before you add a single focal flower. Always calculate your base layer separately.
Pricing by Tribute Type
Letter Tributes
| Finish | Price Per Letter |
|---|---|
| Chrysanthemum based (single colour) | £30-£40 |
| Mixed flower based | £40-£55 |
| Rose or premium flower based | £55-£75 |
| Luxury (garden roses, orchids) | £75-£100+ |
For longer words, consider a slight per-letter discount — for example, £35 per letter for MUM but £32 for GRANDAD. The time efficiency of longer words justifies the reduction.
Named Tributes
| Tribute Type | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart (solid) | £60-£80 | £90-£130 | £140-£200 |
| Cross | £60-£85 | £95-£140 | £150-£220 |
| Cushion | £70-£100 | £110-£160 | £170-£250 |
| Wreath (round) | £50-£75 | £80-£120 | £130-£180 |
| Gates of Heaven | — | £180-£250 | £260-£350 |
Sprays and Sheaves
| Type | Small | Medium | Large |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tied sheaf | £30-£45 | £50-£70 | £75-£100 |
| Single-ended spray | £35-£55 | £60-£85 | £90-£130 |
| Double-ended spray | £50-£70 | £75-£110 | £120-£170 |
Accounting for Labour — Track Your Time
Labour is the cost most florists forget to include or drastically undervalue. Here are realistic time estimates for common tribute types:
- Single letter (chrysanthemum based): 20-30 minutes
- Single letter (mixed flower): 30-40 minutes
- Small heart or cross: 30-45 minutes
- Large wreath: 45-75 minutes
- Gates of Heaven: 2-3 hours
- Bespoke 3D tribute: 3-5 hours
Apply a labour rate of at least £20-£30 per hour on top of material costs. If you are the owner, your time is worth at least as much as an employed florist's — do not work for free.
Time yourself on your next few tributes. Many florists are surprised to find a piece they thought took 30 minutes actually takes 50 once conditioning, preparation, and clean-up are included.
Building a Printed Price List
A clear price list makes quoting faster and more consistent. Include photographs of your work, size options, upgrade options, lead times, and contact details. Review at least twice a year.
Quoting Consistently
The Tribute Calculator takes the guesswork out of quoting. Select the frame type and size, choose your flower style, add edging and accessories, and get an accurate price that genuinely covers your time and materials. For everyday arrangements, the Arrangement Calculator provides the same consistency. When every quote is built on real costs, you can answer the phone with confidence rather than anxiety.
