Frequently Asked Questions

History and Importance of Sympathy Flowers  

Sympathy Etiquette  |  Frequently Asked Questions  

Tribute Guide by Relationship  |  Sympathy Card Messages  

The Weeks Following the funeral: Helping a friend in Grief

Funeral Flowers and Plant Etiquette

When a death occurs, knowing how to comfort those left behind is not easy and sending funeral flowers can be sometimes even more difficult.

What is appropriate to memorialise relatives, or people to whom you are not related or those you've not personally met, such as the wife or husband of someone you know.

For a Funeral:

Anyone may send floral baskets or living plants to the bereaved's home or workplace.

Family, or those who had a deeper, or formal relationship with the deceased can send floral wreaths, crosses, and sprays or sympathy baskets to the funeral home.

Associations that would like to honor the deceased for service during their lifetime can also send floral wreaths, crosses, and sprays.

Traditionally reserved for family members and younger children, or grandchildren of the deceased, is the right to honor the deceased with lid arrangements and casket covers. Floral arrangements known as tributes are generally chosen by good friends or family members, you can choose a special design based on an aspect of their personality, their occupation, an association membership, forces connection or a hobby.

How do I know what is appropriate when ordering flowers for funeral?

Sympathy tributes vary region so it is best to ask your florist what he or she recommends. Sometimes a florist will know what the family has ordered or what the tributes are being sent, and can create something for you that will be a nice complement to the other flowers. The florist should also be familiar with any restrictions the funeral home or cemetery might have. Additionally, if a family has any special requests, the local florists are usually notified and can pass the information on to you.

I have seen a lot of different styles of floral arrangements at funeral services lately, what is best? How do I order a "special" design?

Highly personalized sympathy tributes that depict an aspect of a person's essence are growing trend. If the deceased was a man who loved the outdoors, perhaps a tribute incorporating branches and natural materials would be ideal. If the deceased was an avid gardener, a tribute with a collection of garden flowers may be a perfect choice. Be prepared to give the florist a few hints about the person you want to be memorialized. If you prefer to send a design that is more a reflection of your style, be sure to communicate that to the florist. Most flower shops will have photos of traditional sympathy styles for you to peruse.

 Is it okay to send flowers to the family's home? If so, when is it appropriate to send them?

Absolutely. This is a wonderful way to express your sympathy and is a common trend. Some people choose to send flowers to the home immediately while others prefer to wait a week or more. There are no rules. Flowers can be a very comforting reminder during the grieving process that friends haven't forgotten.

Is it still appropriate to send flowers if the death notice mentions a charitable donation?

Yes. Because flowers help say what is often difficult to express, they are always appropriate and in good taste. Flowers also play a functional role, adding warmth to the service and providing the visible emotional support that the family needs during this time.

Is it acceptable to send roses or flowers in a glass vase to the funeral home?

From an etiquette standpoint this is perfectly acceptable; however, some funeral homes have rules about certain types of arrangements. Your florist will be familiar with what each funeral home allows.

If several of us want to go in together for funeral flowers, how do we sign our names so the family knows how to thank us?

When groups go in together on flowers, the arrangement can be very special and make a larger showing. There should be room on the floral enclosure card for several names, but if there's not enough space it is best to sign as a group, such as "The Girls in Accounting" or "The Smith Family." Include a contact name and address on the card so the family knows who to thank.

Where did the tradition of sending funeral flowers come from?

Flowers have always played an important role on the burial traditions because of their soothing qualities. In ancient cultures, floral and herb essences were used to anoint the bodies of the deceased and aromatic flowers and greens were displayed.

Is it appropriate to send a plant to the funeral home? If so, will the funeral home send it to the family after the service?

Yes, it is appropriate to send a green or flowering plant. Some funeral homes will deliver plants or flowers to the home if specified. In some cases, the florist may make arrangements to pick up the planet after the services and deliver it to the family; Otherwise, the funeral director will simply notify the family members that they may take the plants with them after the service. Check with your florist to see what is customary for your area.

If I want to place a tribute in or on the casket, what should I do?

This tradition is usually reserved for family members or special loved ones. Ask the family before ordering anything for the casket. Your florist can offer suggestions for other special tributes.

What is appropriate to send for a cremation?

A tastefully designed floral tribute adds beauty to any type of memorial service. It is common for the family to have an arrangement designed for display with the urn. Because cremations is quite common in an increasing number of regions, many florists will have specific suggestions.

What can I do if I missed the funeral?

It is ok to send flowers to the family's home, as flowers are always appreciated, no matter when they received and even if you will also be attending the funeral, sending flowers to the bereaved's home is a wonderful gesture.

Some people choose to send flowers a week or so after the funeral, after the necessary chaos of a death.

Some people send flowers to the home over a period of time after the funeral to remind the bereaved that we are still thinking of them and their loss.

We are often asked if it would be alright to send flowers if the death notice requests a charitable donation, "in lieu of flowers"?

We think you should make the contribution, however to send flowers at the funeral service adds warmth and life to a somber event and are a tangible tribute.

Letting the bereaved know, visibly, how much their loved one touched the lives of others, just as we would never choose not to send sympathy cards, offer assistance, or donate food when asked to make a financial contribution, flowers are always appropriate and appreciated.

Experience Counts

We have experience in providing funeral flower arrangements and are able to create and theme a unique floral tribute based on the life of your loved one and offer excellent advice and guidance as to what flowers and arrangements will be most suitable.

We are flexible in the delivery of your flowers and sensitive to the needs of the situation in terms of when, where and how the delivery will take place.