Sympathy Flowers

Sympathy flowers or funeral flowers?

Sympathy flowers are sent to the family’s home to offer comfort and support, usually in the days after a loss. Funeral flowers – wreaths, sprays, coffin tributes and posies – are sent to the funeral service itself and are normally arranged through a local florist or the funeral director. If you’re unsure which is right, a sympathy bouquet sent to the home is always appropriate and appreciated.

Choosing a condolence bouquet

White and pale blooms are the traditional choice because they feel calm, peaceful and respectful. White lilies and white roses are classic choices, while soft pinks, creams and lilac add warmth. Keep the arrangement simple and elegant – the gesture matters far more than the size of the bouquet.

Sending flowers to a close friend or colleague? A bouquet that arrives ready to display, such as one in a presentation vase, saves the family a job at a time when they have a lot on their plate.

Funeral flower etiquette

If you’d like to send a funeral flower tribute rather than a home bouquet, check the details with the family or the funeral director first – some families ask for family flowers only, with donations to a charity instead. Close family usually choose the coffin spray, while friends and work colleagues often send a posy, a wreath, a heart or a smaller sympathy arrangement.

Funeral tributes are normally delivered to the funeral home a few hours before the service, so a local florist working with the funeral director is the best way to order them. Always include a card so the family knows who sent it – they often keep the cards and write thank-you notes afterwards. A team at work can club together to send one tribute or one bouquet on behalf of everyone.

Why flowers help

When someone is grieving, it can be hard to know what to say. Flowers say it quietly. A bouquet arriving at the door in the days after a bereavement tells the family that people care, and it brings a little life and colour into a home when it’s needed most. Many people keep the condolence cards long after the flowers have faded.

When to send

There’s no wrong time. Most people send flowers in the first week or two after a loss, but a bouquet a month or so later can mean just as much, once the funeral has passed and the cards have stopped arriving. Anniversaries of a death are another thoughtful moment to let someone know you remember.

What to write on a sympathy card

Keep your message short, kind and sincere. A few words are enough to express your condolences: “Thinking of you all”, “With deepest sympathy and love” or “Sending you love and strength”. If you knew the person who has died, sharing a short happy memory can mean a great deal.