When someone you love has gone, the flowers from their funeral can feel like the last tangible thing connecting you to that day. They arrive beautiful and full, and then — over a week or two — they begin to fade. Many families tell us the hardest part is feeling rushed: that a decision about what to keep has to be made in the middle of grief, before the petals are gone.
A memorial necklace is one of the gentlest answers to that. A few petals from the arrangement are set in resin and worn close, so a small piece of that flower stays with you long after the bloom itself would have faded. This guide explains, honestly and without pressure, how a memorial necklace from funeral flowers is made in the UK, which flowers work, what it costs, how long it takes, and how several necklaces can be made from a single set of flowers so the whole family can share in it.
The short answer
A memorial necklace from funeral flowers is a pendant made by preserving real petals — usually from a wreath, casket spray, or sympathy bouquet — and setting them permanently in clear resin. You post the flowers (fresh or already dried) to us, Julie dries and arranges the petals by hand, and the finished pendant is sent back to you on a chain of your choice. In the UK this typically takes around 6 to 9 weeks and starts at a lower price point than a full resin block, which makes it one of the most accessible ways to keep funeral flowers. One set of flowers can usually make several necklaces, so siblings or children can each carry the same flowers.
You don't have to keep the whole arrangement to keep something meaningful. A single petal, worn close, is enough.
A finished memorial pendant — real petals set in clear resin, made by hand in the UK so the flower stays close.
How a memorial necklace is made from funeral flowers
The process is the same one we use for all our preservation work, scaled down to the size of a pendant. Nothing about it is automated — each piece is made by Julie by hand.
- You get in touch and place your order. There are no deposits and nothing is rushed. You order the necklace first, then send your flowers — so the piece is reserved and ready for them when they arrive.
- You post us the flowers. Fresh flowers are best sent within a few days of the service while the petals still hold their colour. If the flowers have already dried at home, that's completely fine too — pressed or air-dried petals can still be used. We'll guide you on how to pack and post them safely.
- We dry and prepare the petals. Fresh flowers are carefully dried using silica gel, which draws the moisture out slowly and holds the petal's shape far better than air-drying. Already-dried flowers skip this step.
- You approve the design. Before anything is set permanently, we share how your petals will be arranged in the pendant. This design-approval step matters — resin is permanent, and we want you to be sure before we pour.
- The petals are set in resin. The chosen petals are hand-placed and sealed in clear resin, then finished and polished so the flower is protected for good.
- Your necklace is sent back to you. The finished pendant arrives on your chosen chain, ready to wear, with the rest of your flowers returned if you've asked for them back.
Which funeral flowers work best in a necklace
Because a pendant is small, the petals that work best are ones that keep their colour and don't bruise easily at a delicate scale. We're honest about what holds up and what doesn't — it's better to know before you send.
| Flower | How it preserves in a pendant |
|---|---|
| Roses | Excellent — individual petals are ideal, and one rose gives plenty for several pieces. |
| Carnations | Very good — common in funeral arrangements and hold colour well. |
| Chrysanthemums | Good — petals separate cleanly and dry reliably. |
| Lilies | Good with care — large petals are trimmed to size; colour can soften slightly. |
| Gypsophila (baby's breath) | Excellent as a delicate accent alongside a coloured petal. |
| Very dark or deep-red blooms | Honest answer: these can darken further as they dry. We'll always tell you if yours are at risk. |
If you're not sure what was in the arrangement, send a photo when you get in touch and we'll tell you honestly what to expect.
One set of flowers, several necklaces
This is the question we're asked most often by families, and the answer is one of the kindest things about a necklace. Because each pendant needs only a few petals, a single funeral arrangement can usually be shared into several pieces — so children, siblings, or grandchildren can each carry the same flowers from the same day.
| What you have | What it can usually make |
|---|---|
| A few stems / a small posy | 1–2 necklaces |
| A sympathy bouquet | 2–4 necklaces, or a necklace plus matching earrings or a charm |
| A wreath or casket spray | Several necklaces for the whole family, with petals to spare for a keepsake block |
If you'd like to keep some flowers for a larger piece as well — a resin robin or a memorial block for the home — let us know up front and we'll divide the petals so nothing meaningful is lost.
What it costs and how long it takes
We believe in being clear about pricing rather than asking you to request a quote in the middle of a difficult time. A memorial necklace is one of our more accessible keepsakes because it uses a small number of petals and a single setting.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Turnaround | Around 6–9 weeks from when your flowers reach us, including the design-approval step. |
| Several pieces | Each additional necklace from the same flowers costs less than the first. |
| Payment | Paid in full at the time of order — no deposits. Klarna is available if you'd prefer to spread the cost. |
For full pricing across all our keepsakes, see our flower preservation cost guide, and for how the timings break down stage by stage, our preservation timeline guide.
The same keepsake for happier flowers
A memorial necklace and a wedding-flower necklace are made the same way — the only difference is the day the flowers came from. Many of the brides who order a resin ring from their wedding bouquet also choose necklaces for their bridesmaids or mothers. If your flowers are from a wedding rather than a funeral, the process in this guide applies just the same — browse the full resin jewellery collection to see every piece.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make a necklace if the funeral flowers have already dried out?
Yes. Petals that have air-dried or been pressed at home can still be set in resin. They won't look exactly as they did when fresh, but they're still your flowers — and for many families that's what matters most.
How soon do I need to send the flowers?
There's no need to rush in the days right after the service. Fresh flowers keep their colour best if posted within roughly a week, but if you need more time, let the flowers dry naturally at home and send them when you're ready.
Will the petals fade once they're in the necklace?
Once sealed in resin the petals are protected from air and moisture, so they hold far better than a loose dried flower would. Very dark blooms can deepen in tone as they dry, which is why we always show you the design before setting it permanently.
Can several family members each have one?
Yes — this is one of the most common reasons families choose a necklace. A single arrangement can usually be shared into several pieces so everyone carries the same flowers from the same day.
What chain does it come with?
The pendant arrives ready to wear on a chain. If you'd like a particular length or finish, just tell us when you order and we'll do our best to match it.
Can I keep the rest of the flowers?
If you'd like the remaining flowers returned, or set aside for a larger keepsake as well, let us know when you order and we'll arrange it.
Keep them close
A memorial necklace asks very little of you in a hard week — a few petals, posted when you're ready — and gives back something you can hold onto for years. Every piece is made by hand in the UK, with the same care we'd want for our own family's flowers.
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