FUNERAL / SYMPATHY FLOWER ETIQUETTE
WHAT KINDS OF FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR FUNERALS?
There are several arrangements that are used for funeral and sympathy flowers.
The type of arrangement that is appropriate depends on the relationship to the deceased.
By way of information, the terms sympathy and funeral flowers are used interchangeably now whereas funeral flowers usually referred to flowers sent to the funeral home and sympathy flowers are arrangements sent to the home. Funeral flowers are usually ordered by the family or close friends of the deceased and are larger and more prominent in size. Sympathy flowers are smaller flower arrangements as a vase of flowers or a basket sent to the home and can be sent even up to a month after the funeral.
Wreaths, Hearts or Crosses – Wreaths are a circular floral arrangements, representing eternal life, appropriate for order by close friends and family members; placed on a easel near the casket at the funeral home. Also, wreaths and hearts can be placed on a display table with the urn in the center for cremations or with a photo in the center for memorials. With our products that are preserved, these wreaths, crosses or hearts can then be taken to the home as a long lasting memento.
Standing Sprays – These are large arrangements that are placed on an easel, to allow viewing from the front side; it has a flat back with no florals; appropriate for order by family or friends.
Casket Sprays – Appropriate for ordering by direct family members only; the spray sits on top of the casket and can be a half spray if it covers a part of the lid and a full spray if the lid is closed. It is usually taken to the grave site.
Inside Pieces – These are items that are placed inside the casket, such as small floral sprays as a corsage, small bouquet, satin heart or cross with a corsage attached, also a garland, ordered by close friends or family.
Garlands - as cremations become more common, garlands are becoming more popular for display around urns for cremations or photos for memorials
Baskets or Plants - appropriate for all; usually placed around the caskets or near it or on a table for the urn for cremations or photo of the deceased for memorials
WHAT FLOWERS ARE APPROPRIATE FOR CERTAIN RELIGIONS AND CULTURES?
The etiquette of whether or not to send flowers depends on the culture or religion of the deceased. If you are not sure, it is recommended that you contact the family, a famiy friend or the funeral home director or local florist.
For the following religions or cultures:
Buddhist: The funeral will almost always take place in a funeral home and never in a temple. Sending funeral flowers is considered appropriate for a Buddhist funeral, however, do not send red flowers. White flowers are considered a symbol of mourning.
Hindus: a funeral service is held on the day of death, before the sun goes down if possible. Sending flowers isn't part of the Hindu tradition, but it may still be seen as a thoughtful gesture. You can safely send a nice funeral spray to commemorate the dead.
Jewish: It is appropriate to send a gift or fruit basket during the period of mourning. Traditionally, the sending of flowers is not appropriate for Orthodox Jews
Mormons: (or Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints) flowers and sprays are appropriate for the time of mourning but not in the shape of a cross. Sympathy cards are appropriate as well.
Muslim: or Islamic cultures: typically flowers and candles are not in their teachings; it depends on their ethnic origin and perhaps even on what particular branch of Islam they are from. Ask the opinion of someone close to the family, if you can.
Protestants: and Other Christian faiths accept all forms of funeral flowers. Certain branches or denominations farther out of the mainstream (especially in some Reformed traditions) may have prefer simply arrangements.
Roman Catholics: all kinds of flower arrangements are accetable, especially the cross, standing sprays, floor arrangements, hearts and wreaths. Sympathy baskets are appropriate for delivery to the home. There may be restrictions regarding some flowers in church; please check with the family or church.
Eastern Orthodox: practitioners are strict about three days between death and burial. During this time, flowers may be sent to the funeral home. White funeral flowers are seen as especially meaningful.
Asian: For an Asian funeral, the color of flowers is very significanat. White flowers are the safest choice. For Chinese, Korean and Japanese funerals, yellow flowers, especially chrysanthemums, are traditional as well.
Japanese: lots of flowers are used for the funeral, sent to the funeral home, especially large standing sprays and floor arrangements
Military Funerals: Only standing sprays are used when the flag is draped over the casket. Floral arrangements in red, white and blue or with ribbons in those colors are often requested for a patriotic theme. Military symbols may be used with flowers.
WHAT KINDS OF SERVICES ARE THERE?
Traditionally, funerals are held in funeral homes with visitation or viewing hours. It is customary to send flowers to the funeral home for display during the visitation hours and funeral. But services have been changing over the years where a service may not be held at all. Probably a memorial is held after the deceased has been buried or the family decided on a cremation. Flowers are still appropriate for these services. Even if there is no service, it is still a nice gesture to send flowers to the family's home to offer your condolencs and support for the grieving.
At memorial services, there may be a podium where eulogies may be given and usually a table, where there may be a display of photos and maybe items that were important to the deceased. Flowers are a nice addition to the podium or at the table, either in the form of a garland, or wreath. Baskets, standing sprays and vases of flowers are also appropriate as are plants.
At cremation services, the urn is usually displayed. Flowers are appropriate here as well, again in the form of a garland around the urn or a wreath where the urn is placed in the center.
At any of these services or even if there is no service planned, it is appropriate to send flowers, baskets or plants to the home of the deceased. Flowers offer comfort and warmth to the surroundings and demonstrate to the grieving family that you care.
With our preserved floral gifts, you are also offering to the grieving a long lasting memento that will remind them of your sympathy, as our preserved floral gifts are specially treated to last a long time.