Sympathy Etiquette
What funeral flowers and plants are appropriate?
When a death occurs, knowing how to comfort those left behind is not easy and the wide variety
of floral tributes does not make the task any simpler. Here are some guidelines that can help you
navigate the process.
of floral tributes does not make the task any simpler. Here are some guidelines that can help you
navigate the process.
| A Classic Funeral Florist Sympathy Tributes |
For a funeral:
Anyone may send floral baskets or living plants to the funeral home or church service. However,
floral tributes such as the casket spray, inside pillow arrangements and floral baskets and standing
arrangements with ribbon script are usually reserved for the family of the deceased.
Friends, co-workers and organizations usually order tributes like traditional funeral baskets,
planters or large plants, or larger arrangements like standing sprays, crosses or wreaths. These
can be personalized with a variety of items related to the person's hobbies or associations. The
family always appreciates when you take the time to incorporate a unique aspect of their loved
one's life and personality into your gift.
floral tributes such as the casket spray, inside pillow arrangements and floral baskets and standing
arrangements with ribbon script are usually reserved for the family of the deceased.
Friends, co-workers and organizations usually order tributes like traditional funeral baskets,
planters or large plants, or larger arrangements like standing sprays, crosses or wreaths. These
can be personalized with a variety of items related to the person's hobbies or associations. The
family always appreciates when you take the time to incorporate a unique aspect of their loved
one's life and personality into your gift.
For a cremation:
A tastefully designed floral or plant arrangement adds beauty to any memorial service. Again, the
family are the ones who select the arrangements for displaying the urn or framed pictures. For
friends and associates, a more general purpose arrangement in a basket or vase may be more
appropriate than the larger floral tributes.
Bright flowers reflect the deceased's personality, energy or love of life. They can also send a
message that you were happy to have known them during their life.
family are the ones who select the arrangements for displaying the urn or framed pictures. For
friends and associates, a more general purpose arrangement in a basket or vase may be more
appropriate than the larger floral tributes.
Bright flowers reflect the deceased's personality, energy or love of life. They can also send a
message that you were happy to have known them during their life.
Limitations on floral arrangements and plants:
Most funeral directors are comfortable working with all types of floral vases and containers as
well as plants. Depending on the policy of the funeral home, they will deliver the flowers to the
family's home or make them available for pick-up after the funeral service. The most important
thing you can do to make your gift remembered kindly by all parties is to select a reputable florist
who uses good quality flowers and containers and proper construction techniques. Funeral
directors appreciate good construction techniques and you appreciate good value for your gift. A
reputable florist knows the funeral directors in their area and can guide you to make a selection
that reflects your care and concern without interfering with the operation of the funeral home.
well as plants. Depending on the policy of the funeral home, they will deliver the flowers to the
family's home or make them available for pick-up after the funeral service. The most important
thing you can do to make your gift remembered kindly by all parties is to select a reputable florist
who uses good quality flowers and containers and proper construction techniques. Funeral
directors appreciate good construction techniques and you appreciate good value for your gift. A
reputable florist knows the funeral directors in their area and can guide you to make a selection
that reflects your care and concern without interfering with the operation of the funeral home.
Sending Flowers as a Group:
When groups of family members, friends or neighbors go together on an arrangement, they are
able to select an arrangement that can be very special. Themed arrangements, including sprays,
wreaths and plants have become very popular. Your florist can incorporate items of interest to
the deceased, hobbies, keepsakes, etc. that will personalize the arrangement. These items will
make the arrangement memorable to the family as well as your group.
Gift cards are large enough to hold a number of names. If the list is long, you may want to group
the names by family - Joe & Ronda Smith and Family, rather than listing every person.Be sure
that your florist has a contact name and address so the family knows whom to thank.
able to select an arrangement that can be very special. Themed arrangements, including sprays,
wreaths and plants have become very popular. Your florist can incorporate items of interest to
the deceased, hobbies, keepsakes, etc. that will personalize the arrangement. These items will
make the arrangement memorable to the family as well as your group.
Gift cards are large enough to hold a number of names. If the list is long, you may want to group
the names by family - Joe & Ronda Smith and Family, rather than listing every person.Be sure
that your florist has a contact name and address so the family knows whom to thank.
You missed the funeral:
A floral arrangement or food basket received at home after the funeral can be a welcome
reminder that friends haven't forgotten. A recent university study show the bereaved appreciate
being thought of in the weeks and months after the funeral.A table arrangement or vase
appropriate to the home would be a good selection, when accompanied by a "thinking of you"
message.
reminder that friends haven't forgotten. A recent university study show the bereaved appreciate
being thought of in the weeks and months after the funeral.A table arrangement or vase
appropriate to the home would be a good selection, when accompanied by a "thinking of you"
message.
Q: How will I know if my delivery was made to a funeral home?
A: Many funeral homes maintain a log of the arrangements they receive. If the delivery is close to
the visitation hours, then the delivery person lets the funeral director know that there has been a
late delivery. You can request a delivery confirmation for your florist at the time you place your
order. You will be contacted by telephone or email to acknowledge the arrangement was delivered.
the visitation hours, then the delivery person lets the funeral director know that there has been a
late delivery. You can request a delivery confirmation for your florist at the time you place your
order. You will be contacted by telephone or email to acknowledge the arrangement was delivered.
Q: The visitation and service are at church - not a funeral home. Where do I send the
flowers?
flowers?
A: You can request the delivery be made to church or the funeral home. Since the service will be
supervised by a funeral director, it makes their job easier if the flowers are delivered directly to
church. They will make sure that the arrangement is placed in the appropriate location and then
assure that the family has access to any flowers they with to take home after the funeral.
supervised by a funeral director, it makes their job easier if the flowers are delivered directly to
church. They will make sure that the arrangement is placed in the appropriate location and then
assure that the family has access to any flowers they with to take home after the funeral.
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