Short answer
Flowers and wreaths are not part of a Muslim funeral, and Hanafi scholars of the Deobandi tradition advise against them. The sunnah ways to show care are bringing food to the family, helping with arrangements, and giving charity in the person's name.
Wreaths and flowers on the bier are a custom taken from other traditions, not from the sunnah, and are disliked. Paying for them from the estate is not allowed without the consent of the adult heirs. Charity on the dead person's behalf is recommended.
The four schools agree on this.
Explanation
A Muslim funeral is kept plain on purpose. The body is wrapped in a simple white cloth, the bier is not decorated, and money a family might spend on display is better spent on what helps the dead person: paying their debts and giving charity that keeps rewarding them.
Why scholars advise against flowers. They were not part of what the Prophet ﷺ and the Companions did at funerals. They are a mark of other funeral traditions. And they cost money that brings no benefit to the dead. For these reasons, Deobandi scholars call funeral wreaths and flowers disliked.
If a non-Muslim colleague sends flowers, accept them graciously and do not embarrass the giver. It is a kind intention. A funeral notice can gently say that the family prefers donations to a named charity.
- Bring cooked food to the family for the first days.
- Give sadaqah on the dead person's behalf; see sadaqah for the dead and sadaqah jariyah.
- Help with calls, paperwork, childcare and transport.
- Make dua for the person; see dua for a dead person.
Placing a green branch or plants on a grave later is a separate question with its own evidence; see flowers on a grave.
The evidence
Quran, Surah Al-Israa 17:26
وَءَاتِ ذَا ٱلْقُرْبَىٰ حَقَّهُۥ وَٱلْمِسْكِينَ وَٱبْنَ ٱلسَّبِيلِ وَلَا تُبَذِّرْ تَبْذِيرًا ﴿٢٦﴾
And give the relative his right, and [also] the poor and the traveler, and do not spend wastefully.
Money is better spent on what benefits than on display.
Sunan Abi Dawud 3132
Graded hasan... اصنعوا لآل جعفر طعاما فإنه قد أتاهم أمر شغلهم ...
"Prepare food for the family of Ja'far, for something has come to them that keeps them busy."
Food for the family is the sunnah gift at a time of death.
Sahih Muslim 1631
Sahih... إذا مات الإنسان انقطع عنه عمله إلا من ثلاثة ...
"When a person dies, his deeds end except for three."
Ongoing charity is one of the three, so it helps the dead far more than flowers.
Where the ruling is recorded
- Radd al-Muhtar (Ibn Abidin), Kitab al-Salah, Bab Salat al-Janazah. Customs added to funerals and spending from the estate.
Checked by our team. For a more accurate answer to your own situation, consult a scholar. Quran translation by Sahih International. Hadith Arabic from the standard editions of the six books and the Muwatta, with gradings as recorded there; the English is our own rendering. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.