It has always been a tradition to send funeral flowers to the funeral service of someone we knew as a friend, a business associate, or a dear family member. Whether the person who passed on before us is a member of the family or not, we should send funeral flowers as is the custom. This is of course unless customs or beliefs prohibit so. Also, prefer the expert Funeral Directors Bristol that make your relative funeral memorable.
When not to give flowers
Also, some families request their guests to offer something else as a tribute in lieu of flowers. If so, it is a noble thing to take note of the family’s request. It can sometimes add stress to the family when we do not pay respect to their wishes. It could be that the family has beliefs that prohibit the use of funeral flowers or they hope for friends and family to give to a local charity instead. You may offer flowers on the gravesite later on or send sympathy flowers to the family residence or to their workplace. If you have even an inkling of a feeling that your flowers will only do more harm than good, it is best to trust your gut feeling and opt out of flowers.
In most cases, sending funeral flowers is acceptable. It is the customary thing to do when we experience loss in our society. It conveys sympathy to the family and pays honor and tribute to the deceased. Funeral services with a lot of flowers are also sometimes taken as a sign that a lot of people offer their care and remembrance for the deceased.
Writing a card for the flowers
You may include a card with your funeral flowers to express your sentiments on the loss of a dear loved one. It is crucial to be highly-civilized and sensitive to the fragile emotions of the family of the deceased. Do know that most will be reading your card to know who the flowers are from so they can thank them later on. Be sure to sign the card with your name and address. If you want the family to contact you with the hope of asking for help, then extend your help as much as you can. Do not forget to add your contact information on the card.
Your message should be kept short and simple. The more you say, the more you will struggle to keep the message from being heartbreaking. You may end up saying more than you ought to and not send the right message across. You may, however, lengthen your message if you want to share a personal experience about the deceased that you want to tell others. It may be an act of kindness or an accomplishment that made a big impact in your life.
You can also write an anecdote that reminds you about the deceased. Be careful of sending religious messages to the family. If you belong to the same church or have the same beliefs, then sending religious messages on the funeral flowers is apt. Or else, the family may take offence at your message.
What to say on the flowers
The standing spray, basket, or wreath will come with a sash that should bear a short message. It can signify your relationship to the deceased such as “In loving memory of Aunt Cookie” or “From Your (Company/Department) Family.”
Your florist may also help you come up with an appropriate message to write on the funeral flowers. Some short messages include:
Rest in Peace
Gone but not forgotten
Forever in our hearts
Our sincere condolences to the family
Our thoughts and prayers go out to you in this difficult time
In loving memory
Our heartfelt condolences
Forever loved and remembered
Good night and God bless
Our prayers, blessings, and love to you and your family
With our deepest sympathy
In our God’s arms may you rest
If you are writing a handwritten note to the family, you can express a simple message of sympathy along the lines of: “We hope these flowers can express what our words can’t. We pray for strength for you and your family in these times of sorrow.”
At the Funeral Service
Finally, sometimes there is not much you need to say to the family. You may recount personal experiences with them at how they made an impact in your life and the values you learned from them. Please avoid from speaking in the negative or talking about regrets, judgments, or any sensitive issues about “what could have been”.
Please refrain as well from using this time to learn about the status of the other members in the family especially if any member was estranged to the deceased while he or she was still living. Although this is the time when the family needs each other the most, some family members may feel the distance, and therefore should be respected.
But estranged family members are welcome to give funeral flowers too. It is a sad thing to have to come to a point where you have not been able to ask and receive forgiveness from the person who already passed on. But, this does happen, even to the best of us. When this does happen, you can always express your thoughts over funeral flowers. Don’t be afraid to order funeral flowers even from an online florist. Whether you order a funeral floral spray or a funeral wreath, your gesture will certainly be appreciated.