When someone you love passes away, it can be difficult to know what to do or say. One way of expressing your condolences is by sending a sympathy flower arrangement. Sympathy flowers are a wonderful way to send condolences and provide comfort during difficult times. But there are some things that should and shouldn’t be included in the flowers and cards you send as well as other etiquette guidelines for this type of gesture.
It can be easy to make mistakes when selecting appropriate plants for this type of situation, so it’s important to do so with the utmost care and thoughtfulness. We will share some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind to ensure you do it right.
Do’s
- Consider the type of flowers you want to send – Consider sympathy flowers like tulips, carnations, or lilies that symbolize mourning. These flowers are often used to convey a message of loss or grief in many cultures, so they’re great for sending sympathy bouquets. However, roses are an excellent choice if you’re looking to send a more traditional and heartfelt message.
- Ensure that your arrangement is appropriate for the occasion – Don’t mix various types or colors of flowers unless it’s part of the tradition. Flowers meant for funerals are usually darker in color with lush greens, such as red roses and lilies. The arrangement should be simple, elegant, and not too fancy.
- Address it to someone who will be receiving the flowers directly – Do not address the flowers “To whom it may concern.” It is important to make sure that your sympathy flower delivery includes all of the necessary information. Addressing the recipient directly conveys your thoughtfulness and personal touch.
- Send a handwritten card along with your sympathy flower arrangement – Writing a handwritten card is a thoughtful way to add the personal touch that lets someone know you care enough about his/her loss to take some time and effort. The act of writing your thoughts out by hand as opposed to using email or social media shows how much this person means to you and will really leave an impression on them.
Don’ts
- Don’t get a poor quality bouquet from a grocery store or gas station – Send a nice and fresh bouquet directly from the florist. There are so many choices at your local grocery store, but these flowers usually wilt within 24 hours of being picked off the vine. A quality flower arrangement should brighten the room, not make it look sadder.
- Don’t forget to call and let them know you sent something – This will let the family know that you care and are thinking about them during this time. Calling also gives you an opportunity to console them and ask if there is anything you can do to help.
- Don’t forget about delivery time – Order early so there is enough time for them to deliver before the funeral service begins. It is especially important if you live far away and are having them shipped. If the service begins at 11:00 a.m., order your flowers before that, so they arrive sometime during or by noon, for example.
- Don’t forget to include your name on the card – It is disrespectful not to have a personal message in there for them. This shows that you care and were thinking about them when sending those flowers.
- Don’t send an arrangement that is too large or too small for the occasion – The size of your flower arrangement should always be relative to the size of the funeral service. It’s important to consider the size of the room or area where your flowers will be displayed too.
- Don’t overdo it with filler flowers like baby’s breath or daisies – These are cheap and generic flowers that don’t have much meaning behind them. Having a small filler bouquet is fine, but don’t overdo it to the point where it starts looking tacky. You’ll want to opt for a more substantial flower arrangement, such as lilies or roses.
Show You Care By Sending Sympathy Flowers
In conclusion, flowers are not only beautiful to look at, but they can also be a great way to show someone that you care about them. They help with the grieving process, and they can be a powerful tool to help bring someone back around. Just ensure you follow these tips to get the most out of your sympathy flowers.
