What Funeral Flower Arrangement Should You Choose?

Sending a funeral flower arrangement to the family or friends of someone who has recently passed is a thoughtful way to convey your feelings of sympathy. Choosing the right floral arrangement to send can sometimes be a difficult task. Here are some suggestions on choosing sympathy flowers that properly express your feelings of loss.

If you knew the deceased well, then maybe you're familiar with the types of flowers he or she enjoyed. It would be very appropriate for you to send an arrangement that reflects what the deceased enjoyed in life. While most funeral floral arrangements are made up of chrysanthemums, carnations, lilies and roses, it's not out of the question to send other types of flowers not normally seen in funeral sprays. For example, if the deceased was an orchid gardener then sending a single beautiful orchid might be the way to go. Or, if the deceased loved traveling to tropical or exotic places then perhaps, an arrangement with Birds of Paradise as the focus would be appropriate. Perhaps a basket of sunflowers for a lover of the summertime.

If you didn't know the deceased well, you'll want to send something that is thoughtful yet low key. Sending a small garden dish which usually features a few live flowers interspersed throughout a small green garden plant is appropriate for sending expressions of sympathy to coworkers or business associates. If you're contributing to an arrangement being sent from a group, you could send something larger such as a smaller traditional floral spray, a grapevine wreath or maybe a cross made out of white and red carnations. Even a simple bouquet of roses or Gerbera daisies would send a thoughtful message.

Another thing you'll want to keep in mind is what type of service the family is having for the deceased. If the family is not having a wake and only having a graveside service, you might be better off sending a live plant or a bouquet of fresh flowers to the family's home. Or, if the family is having a remembrance service or a cremation is being planned, you'll need to contact the funeral home to find out the wishes of the family in regards to flowers.

Whatever your choice, make sure that the floral arrangement you choose is one that comes from the heart and sends a sincere and appropriate message.