Funeral Flowers
Published: 04/05/2010 by Funeral Home Resource Team
When a death occurs, sending funeral flowers can be perplexing. What is an appropriate flower arrangement for a
family member, or for people to whom you are not related such as a
co-worker? Funeral Flowers are a good way to express sympathy in a way
that words cannot. Most religions allow funeral flowers at the funeral
or grave-site (it’s perfectly allowable to call and ask the funeral home or church though, if you are not sure of proper protocol). Funeral
Flowers show the family that you care and are sympathetic to what they
are going through.
Most florists will always add a sympathy card to your funeral flower
order complete with your contact information on the back that will be
recorded by the funeral home. The grieving families will appreciate this
so they will know who to send acknowledgments to.
Here are some tips for choosing funeral flowers:
• Simple and elegant is usually the best way to go.
• Anyone may send floral baskets or living plants. They are
especially appropriate when the sender had a closer relationship to the
bereaved than to the deceased.
• Sympathy baskets, sent to the funeral home or the bereaved’s
home, are appropriate when sent by family, or those who had a deeper, or
formal relationship with the deceased.
• Floral wreaths, crosses, and sprays, available in many sizes, are
appropriate when sent by anyone other than those not acquainted with
the deceased. The exception to this would be associations that would
like to honor the deceased for service during their lifetime.
• Floral arrangements known as tributes are generally chosen by
good friends or family members. You may memorialize someone by choosing a
special design based on an aspect of their personality, their
occupation, an association membership, or a hobby.
• In the case of cremation, much depends on whether a funeral
service is planned. If so, you may choose a tribute arrangement or any
other type of arrangement not reserved for family members. If there will
be a memorial service at the bereaved’s home, or if there will be no
services at all, it is more appropriate to send an all-occasion type
floral basket arrangement.
• Follow the wishes of the family. Oftentimes, you will see a
directive in an obituary or funeral notice that indicates that the
family desires a donation to a charity or something else along these
lines in lieu of flowers. If this is what the family desires, then
follow their wishes.
• You can also send live plants to the family. This is a lovely way
to remember the deceased- and allows a living memorial to the families
loved one (assuming someone in the family will tend to it properly).
It’s especially fitting if the deceased was an avid gardener.
Funeral flowers come in all shapes and sizes and can fit every
budget. Many florists have websites where you can select and order your
flowers, but if you don’t see any that you care for, or that are in your
budget, call a local florist directly. They will be more than happy to
assist you in finding the perfect funeral flower arrangement or gift.
