3 Etiquette Tips for Sending Funeral Flowers

For centuries, people have used flowers to express nearly every sentiment imaginable as a “silent dialogue.” For so many of life’s biggest events, flowers express what we can’t find the words to say.

This is especially true when used to express sympathy. If you’re planning to send funeral flowers to offer your support to someone who has recently lost a loved one, you need to make sure you do it in the right way, so the flowers send the right sentiment.

Keep reading to learn etiquette tips on sending funeral flowers, to make sure you send the right message.

1. Choose an Appropriate Arrangement

When sending flowers, the most important thing to consider is the type of arrangement to send. One look at a florist’s website and you’ll see a variety of different arrangements, which can make it hard to narrow down your decision.

As a good rule of thumb, avoid brightly colored arrangements in favor of more muted colors like white or yellow. You should also avoid anything that has too many extras, like balloons or small stuffed animals, even if the funeral is for a child.

Additionally, keep in mind that funeral flower arrangements are different from sympathy flowers. If you’re not sending the arrangement to the funeral, you’ll want to choose a small sympathy bouquet instead of a large funeral arrangement meant to stand beside a casket.

Work with a florist like Phillips Flowers to help you decide which arrangement is most appropriate for your circumstances.

2. Understand Where to Send Them

When sending funeral flowers, you’ll want to address them to the church, funeral home, or crematorium. Be sure to include the name of the deceased, so they know where to place them. By working with a local florist, they should have the exact address on hand for local funeral homes and places of worship to help you determine where to send them.

Similarly, unlike sympathy flowers, which have a message made out to those suffering a loss, funeral flowers should have a message made out to the deceased. You can use a simple message like “Rest in peace” or look online for inspiration on similar messaging.

3. Be Culturally Aware

You also need to keep the faith and culture of the recipient in mind when sending funeral flowers.

In some cultures, certain colors or types of flowers aren’t appropriate for a funeral. Similarly, you won’t want to choose an arrangement that includes a cross or crucifix for those who don’t practice Christianity. If you know the faith of the deceased and their family, do some research about what is and isn’t appropriate to send.

If you’re not sure about their culture or faith, choose a simple arrangement, or ask your florist for guidance.

What to Remember When Sending Funeral Flowers

After reading through these etiquette tips on sending funeral flowers, we hope you feel more confident in making the right choice on what to send when honoring someone who has passed away.

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