Sending funeral flowers to a church in Malta is one of the most meaningful gestures you can make — but if you’ve never done it before, it can feel uncertain.
What is allowed inside the church? Where do the flowers go? Can you order online and have them delivered?
This guide answers every question, based on how Maltese Catholic funerals actually work — not how they work elsewhere.
How Maltese Funerals Work
In Malta, the vast majority of funerals follow the Catholic tradition. The deceased travels from the hospital or care home directly to the church, where a funeral Mass is held, followed by a procession to the cemetery for burial.Flowers are not sent to the hospital or care home — this is not customary in Malta, and Mater Dei hospital no longer accepts flower deliveries. Instead, flowers are sent directly to the church, to arrive before the funeral Mass begins. They can be brought in person by family and friends, or delivered directly to the church by a florist on your behalf.
Where Do the Flowers Go Inside the Church?
This is where Malta’s tradition is both specific and deeply meaningful — and where many people, unfamiliar with local custom, get confused.In a Maltese Catholic church, floral tributes are placed on the altar during the funeral Mass. This is where they rest throughout the service, surrounding the deceased with the flowers brought by everyone who loved them. It is a moment of quiet, collective tribute — every wreath, every sheaf, every arrangement gathered together in one sacred space.After the Mass, all the tributes are transferred from the altar into the cars and travel with the coffin to the graveside. The flowers accompany the deceased on their entire final journey — from church to burial. Families often find comfort in knowing this: that the flowers they chose did not stay behind.
What Is and Isn’t Allowed
Malta’s Catholic churches have specific rules that differ from what you might see in other countries:
Not permitted inside the church:Coffin sprays on top of the coffin. The cross must remain visible on the coffin at all times during the service. If a coffin spray is ordered, it is placed on top of the coffin while travelling in the hearse — to and from the church — but removed before entering.Floor arrangements placed around the coffin.Church styling or decoration of any kind — no pew ends, no entrance displays, no altar dressing by the family.
What this means in practice: All floral tributes are individual — brought by mourners or delivered by a florist — and placed on the altar during the Mass. The church is not dressed or decorated; the flowers belong entirely to the deceased and those who sent them. The message cards are then removed by the funeral director and given to the family so be sure to write your name on the card.
What to Send
Because all tributes are displayed individually on the altar, freestanding and self-contained arrangements work best. The most appropriate choices for a Maltese church funeral are:Wreaths — circular in shape and one of the most traditional choices in Malta, symbolising eternal life and the unending cycle of love.
Shaped tributes — hearts, stars, crosses, and floral letter tributes spelling a name or relation. In Malta, NANNA, NANNU, OMM and MISSIER are among the most common and most deeply felt. These are a deeply personal way to say exactly who you are mourning.
A floral cross — particularly significant in a Catholic context. A quiet but powerful symbol of faith, hope, and the promise of resurrection.
Sympathy bouquets — a thoughtful choice for friends and colleagues who want to send something personal and heartfelt.
A Note on Lent
Catholic tradition restricts floral decoration inside churches during Lent, with the exception of Laetare Sunday. If the funeral falls during this period, speak to your florist — they will guide you on what is appropriate for the season.
How Delivery Works
When ordering funeral flowers for a church in Malta, you will need to provide your florist with:The name of the church and its full addressThe date and time of the funeral MassYour name and a contact number
Flowers should arrive at the church at least 30 minutes before the Mass begins. A reliable local florist will coordinate timing directly and confirm when your tribute has been delivered safely.If you are ordering from abroad, or are unable to attend in person, a local florist can manage the entire delivery and keep you informed — so you can be present in flowers, even when you cannot be there yourself.Sending Flowers When You Cannot Attend
If distance or circumstance prevents you from attending, sending flowers directly to the church is a deeply respectful gesture. Your tribute will still be placed on the altar during the Mass, still travel with the deceased to the graveside, and still be seen by the family as a sign that you cared enough to be present in the way you could.Alternatively, a sympathy bouquet sent to the family’s home in the days after the funeral is a warm and lasting gesture — a reminder that you are still thinking of them when the quiet sets in.
We Are Here to Help
At Funeral Flowers Malta, we deliver to churches across Malta and handle every order with the care and sensitivity it deserves. If you are unsure what to choose, we are happy to guide you — by phone, by WhatsApp, or by email.[Browse our full collection of funeral tributes] or get in touch directly. We respond quickly, and we understand that time often matters most.
This website specialises in funerals directly. If you wish to send something to your loved ones home we recommend you visit The Malta Florist website.
