Ordering flowers to honor someone who has passed on or to show sympathy for their loved ones is probably not something you don’t have a lot of experience with.
You might feel uncertain about how to go about such an important decision without committing a faux pas.
Don’t wring your hands about how to express your condolences. You can avoid anxiety on this front by learning basic funeral flower etiquette.
Here, Botanica Floral + Home guides you through the appropriate protocol for sending flowers, including what kinds of flowers and arrangements are acceptable for the occasion.
Appropriate funeral flower etiquette depends on the person and their family. Even if a color or flower combination isn’t typically considered effective, it would be completely appropriate if it would have appealed to the deceased person.
For instance, a florist might blanch at the thought of combining red and purple — but would do so without reservation if that is the way loved ones wish to express their grief and sympathy.
In another scenario, perhaps the deceased loved poppies, poinsettias, or azaleas. These are not typically used in funeral arrangements, but their inclusion honors the unique personality of the person who has passed.
Botanica Floral + Home specializes in making personalized floral arrangements that honor your loved one and bring beauty into the place of mourning. Call us today or visit our shop to discuss our options for funeral flower arrangements.
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Typical arrangements sent to funerals include these basic types:
There’s no one flower that is appropriate for funerals. However, some flowers are commonly included in funeral arrangements and may be associated with a specific sentiment, such as:
Other types of plants are also popular to give instead of funeral flowers. They generally last longer and are displayed in an elegant basket, pot, or tabletop dish. These include:
Funeral flowers and arrangements are sent to the funeral home or wherever the funeral is held.
The purpose of funeral flowers is to honor or commemorate the deceased person, so they are often left behind at the grave site.
These are flowers or arrangements sent or brought in person to the home of the deceased’s family. Sympathy flowers should contain white or muted pastel colors. They will usually adorn a mantelpiece or accent table or may be used as a centerpiece for a table, countertop, or another piece of furniture.
The purpose of sympathy flowers is to comfort or show support for the grieving family, and a personal note should always be included along with the flowers.
Anyone can send flowers by way of the funeral director to ensure they are placed in the right spot for the right person at the right time.
If you bring flowers when you arrive rather than sending them ahead of time, the funeral director will place them appropriately. If, however, you want the flowers to be incorporated into the funeral, be sure to have them sent at least 48 hours before the service.
Sympathy flowers may be sent to the home of the mourning family before or after the funeral. They should not be given during the funeral.
If the family requests donations in lieu of flowers, it’s best to respect their decision. You can call the funeral director to find out the family’s preference, but it is also often stated in the obituary.
Be sensitive to the family’s religious preferences. The propriety of flowers, or certain kinds of flowers, is slightly ambiguous for Jewish, Muslim, and Buddhist families. If you are unsure, ask a local religious leader or a family member. For example:
Flowers should be sent or brought to the funeral parlor with specific instructions about who should receive them. Alternatively, you may take funeral flowers to the grave.
The family may not even see these large, formal arrangements, and it is not unusual for them to get left behind after the funeral.
You may puzzle over what to write to convey your sympathy and grief in a heartfelt, meaningful way that doesn’t sound cliché. Consider incorporating these phrases into your message:
Whether you want to send funeral or sympathy flowers, Botanica Floral + Home can advise you about the appropriate funeral flower etiquette for a specific funeral.
Visit our shop to explore our high-quality flower inventory. Work in collaboration with our professional team to have an expressive arrangement created for the memory of your loved one or the emotional support of their family.
At Botanica Floral + Home, we believe nature enlivens and encourages people, even when they are grieving a tremendous loss such as the death of a friend or family member. Let us be a part of lifting their spirits by enlisting us to serve your floral arrangement needs.
“Shop Our Floral Delivery Portland/Vancouver Metro Area Today!”
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