Signs of death — scattered roses (8)
I believe the answer is:
endorses
'signs' is the definition.
(endorsing is a kind of signing)
'death scattered roses' is the wordplay.
'death' becomes 'end' (synonyms).
'scattered' indicates anagramming the letters.
'roses' anagrammed gives 'orses'.
'end'+'orses'='ENDORSES'
'of' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for endorses that I've seen before include "One dress (anag.)" , "Approves, supports" , "Gives support or approval to" , "Countersigns, approves" , "'Supports, backs (8)'" .)