Flowers for a grave: cemetery delivery, All Saints' Day and anniversaries

You can send flowers to a grave in Switzerland by having them delivered directly to the cemetery. A low, compact piece, such as a funeral cushion or a one-sided arrangement, is the most practical choice because it sits neatly on the grave. KANEL delivers its handmade funeral pieces free of charge to cemeteries anywhere in Switzerland, including onto the grave itself, Monday to Saturday; give the grave number when ordering.

Prices were checked on kanel.ch in November 2026. For an overview of funeral customs, see our guide to funeral flowers in Switzerland.

When people bring flowers to a grave

Grave flowers are not only for the day of the burial. In Switzerland, people traditionally bring or send flowers:

• after the burial, when the flowers from the ceremony have faded;
• on All Saints’ Day (1 November) and All Souls’ Day (2 November), especially in Catholic regions;
• on the anniversary of the death, particularly the first;
• on the deceased’s birthday;
• on Mother’s Day or Father’s Day, for a parent;
• at Christmas, when many families decorate graves with evergreen arrangements.

For an expat family living far away, having flowers delivered to a parent’s or grandparent’s grave on these dates is a way to stay present.

All Saints’ Day in Switzerland

All Saints’ Day (Toussaint, Allerheiligen, Ognissanti) falls on 1 November and is a public holiday in Catholic cantons. In the days around it, cemeteries fill with flowers, candles and lanterns, and chrysanthemums are everywhere: in Switzerland, as in much of Europe, they are strongly associated with graves and remembrance.

In 2026, 1 November falls on a Sunday, so there is no delivery that day. Plan for delivery on Saturday 31 October or earlier in the week. As cemeteries are busy at this time, ordering early helps. Our flower-giving calendar lists other key dates.

What to choose for a grave

A large standing wreath is mainly for the funeral itself; for a later visit to the grave, a cushion or one-sided arrangement is usually more practical. Read more in our guide to funeral cushions and one-sided arrangements.

Colours and flowers

KANEL cites these traditional meanings:

• Chrysanthemum: mourning, respect, the classic grave flower around All Saints’.
• White rose: purity, eternal love.
• Lily: purity, peace.
• Iris: wisdom, faith.
• Hyacinth: hope and renewal, a gentle choice in spring.
• Geranium: strength and constancy.

White is always appropriate. For an anniversary, the deceased’s favourite colour or flower can be a touching choice.

How cemetery delivery works

Cemeteries in Switzerland are usually run by the municipality (commune / Gemeinde / comune). They are open to the public, and florists can deliver flowers to a grave like any visitor.

What you need to give

When ordering grave flowers from KANEL, you will be asked for:

1. the name of the deceased;
2. the full address of the cemetery;
3. the grave number or location (section, row), if you have it;
4. the preferred delivery date and time;
5. a contact person and phone number, in case the courier cannot find the grave.

The grave number is the most important detail. Large cemeteries can have thousands of graves, and without a location the flowers may end up at the entrance or with the caretaker.

How to find the grave number

• Ask a family member who visits regularly.
• Contact the cemetery administration of the municipality; they keep the register of graves.
• Some cities publish an online grave finder; check the municipality’s website.

If you only know the section, include it with a short description (“near the chapel, second row on the left”) and add a local contact person.

Caring for flowers on a grave

Fresh flowers on a grave are exposed to sun, wind and frost. A few points:

• Season matters. Cool autumn and winter weather helps flowers last; summer heat shortens their life.
• Wilted flowers are removed by the family or, in many cemeteries, by the maintenance staff. Rules vary by municipality.
• Grave care and planting (permanent plants, seasonal bedding) is a separate service, often offered by local gardeners or the cemetery itself. A delivered arrangement is a one-off tribute, not a maintenance contract.
• Candles and lanterns are common around All Saints’ and Christmas, but check the cemetery’s rules.

Adding a message

A short ribbon on a cushion or heart works well at a grave, for example “Always in our hearts” or “Thinking of you, Dad”. At KANEL a personalised ribbon costs CHF 35. A condolence card (CHF 24.90) is less suited to a grave, as it will not stay readable outdoors; it makes more sense for deliveries to the family. See our funeral ribbon messages and condolence messages for flowers for wording.

Timing and practicalities

• KANEL delivers Monday to Saturday; there is no Sunday delivery.
• For funeral pieces, order at least 48 hours ahead. Bookings can be made up to 60 days in advance, which is useful for anniversaries and All Saints’.
• Delivery is free anywhere in Switzerland, with no minimum order.
• Payment: Visa, Mastercard, American Express, PayPal, TWINT or Alma.

If the delivery is to the grave on the day of a burial, the flowers usually go to the ceremony first and are moved to the grave by the funeral home. For a cremation followed by an urn burial, see our guide to flowers for a cremation.

Summary

• Grave flowers are sent after the funeral, on All Saints’ Day, anniversaries and birthdays.
• Choose low formats: a cushion (from CHF 155) or a one-sided arrangement (from CHF 255).
• Give the cemetery address and grave number.
• No Sunday delivery: for 1 November 2026, plan for Saturday 31 October.

Flowers for a grave anywhere in Switzerland: KANEL delivers its handmade funeral pieces free of charge to the cemetery, including onto the grave, Monday to Saturday.