7 Tips: Leaving Mystery Out of Sympathy Flowers

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November 29, 2016 4 min read

We believe that celebratinga person’s life through a personalized floral design is a wonderful way to say goodbye and to support the family and friends that remain. You can celebrate a life well-lived in a variety of ways.

We can take the ‘clues’ you have and create a design that will be meaningful for everyone. Here’s a list of 7 tips that may be helpful in your decision process.

1. What type of flowers do I send?

Instead of following certain rules about what is expected, more and more people are choosing to personalize the flowers in a way that memorializes the person.

Flowers can say a lot about a person and can also have a special meaning to the family of the diseased if you choose something that reminds them of their loved one. Was there a special flower(s) that the person especially liked?

Sending something reminiscent of the person may brighten the atmosphere for those attending the service or visiting the home.

Bird of Paradise Standing Spray #FlowersPhoenix

2. Can I send flowers after the funeral?

Flowers are usually sent for the day of the service, but flowers can also be sent well after the service to offer a remembrance to the person who may still be grieving. Sending flowers on the person’s birthday or holiday is also appropriate and thoughtful.

3. Can I send cheerful arrangements?

Although it is a sad time, the flowers do not necessarily need to reflect something somber.

Flowers can indeed help the family to celebrate the life that lived as well as can add fragrance, color and beauty helping to take ones mind off of the sad time.

Gods Garden Treasures Blog

4. How do I honor the person?

Often times those who are closer to the deceased would like to honor the person with a personalized design based on theirfavorite memories of their loved one or celebrating things about them that maybe aren’t as well known.They may also choose flowers that represent the person’s personality. Gods Garden Treasures Blog

5. What type of flowers do immediate family send?

Casket arrangements are usually reserved for the immediate family to select. Standing sprays or other more significant floral designs are also very common for the family to provide.

Larger displays are arranged for the outside of the coffin, while smaller flowers are placed inside.

Casket Spray | Family Funeral Flowers | #FlowersPhoenix

Siblings, children, or grandchildren of the deceased are also often considered or involved with being recognized – sometimes with a banner on each floral arrangement representing each generation or family grouping.

What else should I keep in mind?

When sending flowers to the service at a church or funeral home or other venue, think about the impact you want the flowers to have. If you would like a prominent showing, expect to invest $125-$300 or more for a standing spray or a larger arrangement that will stand on a pedestal at the front.
When you have a simpler budget, either ask your florist for a tall, creatively styled arrangement in the $75-$110 range that will still make a statement up front
or ask for a simpler arrangement that can sit at the guest book table or photo table and be a more intimate experience of celebrating their life.
Creative design, celebrating a special hobby or interest (sports team, activity, community involvement, charity involvement), or their profession or military background is always a great idea and always welcome.
Asking for a floral design that is distinctive will help any arrangement at any budget.

6. Who can send flowers?

Family, friends, coworkers, and other relatives all may choose to send flowers. When you are expressing support for friends, relatives and co-workers, here are a few tips to keep in mind when sending flowers to the viewing and service:

When sending on behalf of a large group, or where the relationship is an important one, send a larger standing spray for taller arrangement that can sit on a pedestal so that it will be placed at the front of the memorial service instead of a side table.
When budget is a concern, ask for a tall vase arrangement of gladiolas, either in all white, or a colorful mix. Gladiolas are a great value both visually and also because they are long-lasting in someone's home.

Gods Garden Treasures Flower Delivery Blog

When sending flowers from your work, consider asking for a design that expresses something of the company's brand, values or work. For example, this architecturally-inspired design above would be a perfect fit for a company that is very structured, or involved in architecture or structures.

7. Can I ask for a specific symbol or expression of faith?

Yes! Crosses or other symbols of faith are also sent to the servicewhen it is well known that the deceased lived a life of committed faith.

Symbols for a community group, like military, scouts, or clubs can be created in florals to celebrate the dedicated life of the person who passed.

Companies and associations that would like to pay their respects and honor the deceased often choose to send these types of flowers.

Thank you for reading all the way to the end. We love supporting people, families and communities in these tender moments in life. We hope these tips make it easier when the time comes for you to say goodbye to a loved one, or to support someone else.

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Here's one specific story of how we used some of these tips in supporting one of our Floral Concierge Members (and ended up supporting a second one as well):

The extra steps that turned a generic sympathy flower gift into an extra special one.