Find out more about Giving the Gift of Flowers

Sympathy Floral Arrangements

 The loss of a loved one is tragic. To lessen the stress at this time, Christine can come to your home to help select the tributes appropriate to the funeral service.

Sympathy Floral Etiquette:

Funeral traditions vary for each culture and religious or personal belief. Here are some guidelines to help with funeral traditions for each culture and faith. If you are unsure, check with the family or the officiating clergy or funeral home.

Baha'i - Flowers are appropriate, however burial must take place within a one-hour drive from the location of the death.

Buddhist - Most Buddhist funerals take place in a funeral home and not the temple. Flowers are appropriate.

Catholic - Flowers are appropriate. If the delivery is being made to the church confirm the details with the parish. Some parishes may not allow casket sprays to be placed on top of the casket.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormons - Flowers are appropriate, however it is not appropriate to have crosses. Funerals are not normally held within the temple.

Eastern Orthodox - Flowers may be sent to the funeral home during the three days after death prior to the funeral. White flowers are often preferred and placement may be restricted. Those unable to attend the funeral may send flowers to the funeral home or the family home.

Other Christian Faiths - Flowers are appropriate, but individual churches may have their own restrictions so it is best to check.

Hindu - The service is generally held at a funeral home before the sun goes down on the day of the death. Flowers may be sent, although this has not been done traditionally. Seasonal sprays of flowers and garlands are often preferred.

Islamic - As the traditional Islamic tradition prefers simplicity and therefore no flowers it may be acceptable to send flowers. Check with family of religious leader first. If flowers are approved, roses and other fragrant flowers are preffered. Palm branches, or other greens or individual flowers may be placed on the gravesite.

•  Traditionally flowers were sent to the funeral home for the prayer or funeral/memorial service. But it is also acceptable to send flowers to the bereaved family's home.
•  If the flowers are sent to the funeral home, it is helpful if you can provide the name of the funeral home, deceased full name and the service time. Other important information that should be included is the type of service that will be taking place.
•  Flowers sent to the home can be sent at any time prior to or following bereavement. Sending flowers weeks later is a lovely way to demonstrate that the family is in your thoughts.
• Flowers are considered by most to be an appropriate expression of sympathy even if a charity or other organization has been selected in memory of the deceased.
• Floral tributes can be sent to the family's home after the service is complete if they wish. There are many options available to suit every budget. Some floral sympathy expressions include, distinctive floral designs in garden basket planters, bud vases, table arrangements, standing arrangements, sprays, casket drapes and wreaths. All designs can reflect an aspect of the deceased such as favorite flowers, colors or styles.

• Casket Spray
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• A close family member such as the spouse or children traditionally orders the casket spray or arrangements to be displayed next to a cremation urn. Generally no card is enclosed with a casket spray. Sentiments may be expressed using a ribbon with script imprinted or added to it reading "Beloved Mother", "Sister", "Brother" or sometimes the nickname of the deceased.

Side Pieces

Close family members such as children, or grandchidren generally purchase the side pieces. Normally there are two side pieces that compliment the casket spray either in complementary colors or flower selection. Cards of script ribbons can be used on these pieces to express sentiments and the relationship with the deceased.

Specialty Pieces

Speciality pieces such as crosses and hearts are generally reserved for the family to purchase. There are many other tributes that are appropriate for a friend or co-worker to give. These could include items such as a wreath, square or other unique shape. They are typically placed to the right or left of the casket. They can have script ribbons or card messages attached to express your sentiments.

Inside Casket Tributes

The grandchildren or great-granchildren of the deceased often provide a small inside casket tribute. While these arrangements can be quite small, a card of script ribbon may be attached.

Flowers Around the Casket

There are many wonderful styles of sympathy arrangements for extended family members or friends to send. They can be traditional or contemporary in style but they should reflect a special memory, hobby, favorite color or flower to reflect the individuality of the deceased. This type of tribute could be done in a fan-shaped one-sided arrangement similar to the one shown to the left. This can be done in a basket or various larger pots, mache containers in seasonal flowers and colors. They can have a card message or ribbon that may say "Dearest Friend" or "Loving Friend" added to them.

  & Table Arrangement

A table arrangement can also be sent to the funeral home. These can be arranged in many different ways such as baskets, vases or specialty containers. As these arrangements are generally smaller the family has the option of taking them home to enjoy further.

 Plants

Another thoughtful gift is a dishgarden, plant basket with a combination of blooming and tropical plants. The benefit to this gift is that it will be a long lasting gift the family can keep in memory of their loved one.

Gifts to Send to The Family Home

If you wish to send a condolence gift to the family there are a number of options to let the family or your friends know that you are thinking of them. Fruit or Gourmet Baskets are a useful and thoughtful gift and are availabe in many sizes and combinations. Arrrangements of cheerful flowers are always comforting and can be designed in vases, baskets or other specialty containers with fresh seasonal flowers. Colorful blooming plants or plant baskets with a combination of tropical and blooming plants make a wonderful long lasting gift and potentially these plants can be enjoyed for years to come in memory of their loved one.