Information about Sending Funeral Flowers
Flowers often play an important part of a funeral service. The casket is usually covered by an arrangement called a casket spray that is selected by the bereaved. They are usually around 4 feet long and draped over the coffin. Wreaths are also floral arrangements meant to be a celebration of the deceased's life. They are usually made up of a mixture of flowers set into a green wreath ring. Individual flowers that form names or words up to 7 letters in length are often chosen by family members as a floral name tribute. Bunnies, bears, stars, angles and small crosses done in white with green trimming are common when the deceased is a child.
A florist can be helpful in assisting the bereaved family. If the deceased had a favorite flower, then these are often used. The most common floral choices are lilies, roses and carnations, but you are not limited to these flowers. The most popular color choice for funeral flowers is white since it is thought to denote honesty and truth.
If the deceased was a member of the Armed Services, then the national flag will cover the casket. In the United States it is actually illegal to cover the American flag, so no casket sprays are used.
Types of Funeral Flowers
- Funeral wreaths
- Casket sprays
- Funeral bouquets
- Floral crosses
- Heart-shaped arrangements
- Floral Name Tributes
- Traditional posies
- Floral baskets
- Standing sprays
- White lilies
- Carnations
- Roses
- Chrysanthemums
Sending Sympathy Flowers
It is traditional to send flowers to the family of the deceased and many of these will be displayed at the funeral or memorial service.
You can also send floral baskets or live plants if you wish the family to take the arrangement home after the funeral.
You can choose to send floral arrangements to the mourner's home instead of to funeral home as well.
Arrangements sent to the home can, but don't have to be different from the type you would send to the funeral itself.
It is appropriate to send flowers as soon as you hear about the death, the day of the service or after the funeral. Most sympathy flowers are sent the day of the service to the funeral home or location of the service.
Any type of flower is accepted in any color as they are a gift of the heart from you and should reflect your feelings toward the deceased or the family and are a sign of respect.
If you send the flowers to the service, be sure that they will arrive several hours ahead of time.
How to Choose Funeral or Sympathy Flowers
- Consider the preferences of the deceased
- Take into account type of service
- If the deceased did not have flower preferences use traditional flowers
- Choose flowers that reflect your color scheme (if there is one)
- Include the florist in your vision and let them help you
- Choose from the heart
- Consider your budget when making a selection