When someone dies, we can do little to take away a family’s grief. But we can do things that will show how much we care.
The right condolence flowers show a family how much you care and that you’re sharing in their grief. When you order flowers, though, the flower shop will have all kinds of questions.
What kind of flowers do you want to send? Where do you want them to go? What color should they be, and what do you want the card to say?
Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about condolence flowers from sending flowers to a funeral to what to say in a sympathy message for flowers.
Contents
Sympathy vs. Funeral Flowers
First and foremost, note that there is a difference between sympathy and funeral flowers. Sympathy flowers typically go to the bereaved family’s home address. Funeral flowers, on the other hand, go directly to the funeral home.
Sympathy flowers are most appropriate when the bereaved is a close friend and you want to send a small arrangement for their home. Larger arrangements typically work best at the funeral home in honor of the individual who died. These would include wreaths, sprays, and larger arrangements.
Condolence Flowers Etiquette
To know which flowers to pick and where to send them, follow a few basic rules of condolence flower etiquette.
First, if you’re sending flowers to a close friend, pick a small arrangement, and send them to your friend’s home. Send funeral flowers to the funeral home, and send sympathy flowers to the home of the bereaved or to the workplace of the bereaved.
If there is more than one memorial service, it’s appropriate to send your flowers for the first service or viewing for the family. The funeral home will move the flowers to the correct location as the viewing or memorial service takes place.
Don’t Delay
Send the funeral flowers as soon as you can. Ask the flower shop to deliver the funeral flowers on the day of the service to ensure they’re as fresh and beautiful as possible.
If you find out about the death after the funeral has taken place, you still should send flowers to the family. It’s never too late to let people know you care. Just make sure the flower shop creates a sympathy arrangement and not a funeral arrangement.
Color and Style
White is always an appropriate color for a funeral flower. If you’d like more color to the arrangement, ask the florist for their opinion. They spend their day creating flower arrangements for the right purposes, so they’ll have the best idea of what to do.
If you’re a family member of the bereaved, you can and should send large flower arrangements such as casket sprays, wreaths, and hearts. If you’re a friend or co-worker, a standing easel, potted plant, or large bouquet is appropriate.
Do not send a casket spray unless you’re the next of kin to the deceased. Close family members will provide the casket spray.
Send Flowers, Honor People
When you send condolence flowers, you show that you care. You honor the one who died as well as those who are grieving a great loss. Follow these basic rules of etiquette, and you will honor both of those parties well.
Did you find this article helpful? If so, keep visiting our site. We seek to provide readers with helpful articles daily.
