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What Type of Funeral Flowers Should I Send?

Sympathy flowers, funeral flowers, wreaths, standing sprays, casket sprays, floor bouquets… Learn what these specific types of arrangements are and how to appropriately express your condolences.

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Where Do I Send Sympathy Flowers?

Sending flowers is the traditional way to show your condolences during a time of grief.  Here are some etiquette rules to help you know the appropriate place and time to send sympathy flowers.

What exactly are sympathy flowers?

Sympathy flowers are sent to the family or loved ones of the deceased. During this difficult time the flowers bring hope, peace and comfort.

What location do I send the sympathy flowers to?

A sympathy flower arrangement should be sent to the residence of the family or loved ones of the deceased. Typically sympathy flowers are more common to send when there isn’t a funeral service or viewing period. This way even if there is no service you can still show your support. However, sending sympathy flowers to the home even when there is a funeral service has become increasingly popular. Funeral flowers are to be sent to the funeral home as soon as possible, but sending sympathy flowers is appropriate at anytime. Even sending a sympathy arrangement a few weeks after the funeral is appropriate and shows continuous support.

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Funeral Flower Etiqutte

Your Questions Answered! 
Flowers are the perfect way to express sympathy to those that have lost a loved one. Knowing what etiquette to follow though can be tough. Here are some answers to frequently asked funeral flower etiquette questions.

Does the type of floral arrangement matter?
The type of floral arrangement to send depends on your relationship to the deceased. Typically the immediate family selects a casket spray or shaped wreath to accompany the casket.

Some of the most popular flowers are carnations, chrysanthemums, glads, lilies or roses. The best advice is to pick flowers that you think the family will appreciate.

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Sympathy Flowers Guide

No one is ever prepared when a tragedy happens. Whether it’s within the family or an acquaintance, sympathy flowers have been the universal language for “I’m here for you” –when words just aren’t enough. Here is a quick guide on sympathy flowers that will answer the top etiquette questions.

Floral Arrangements and Plants

Friends, coworkers and relatives can all send a simple floral basket or plant. Anything that reflects the personality of the loved one is suitable. These simple arrangements can be sent to the bereaved’s home, workplace or the funeral home.

Wreaths and Sprays

Often sent by a group, wreaths and sprays are perfect gifts for companies or associations who want to honor the deceased as a team. They are often displayed at the funeral or during the service, so consider sending to the funeral home.

Floral Tributes

Close family and friends often chip in for this type of arrangement. They are personalized designs based on the deceased’s hobbies, occupation or personality. These arrangements are works of art to display during the service.

Casket Arrangements

Family members, often siblings, children or grandchildren, of the deceased take care of this arrangement. Other blooms can be designed to put inside the casket, but family members must ask  funeral directors to place it before burial.

A simple arrangement can make a difference for a grieving friend or family member. It lets the recipient know that someone is thinking of them during this difficult time in their life. Your local florist can help create the thoughtful gift the bereaved needs. Check back with the Bloomin’ Blog for more tips.

Florist Friday Recap 1/12 – 1/18: Floral Tributes

Again this week we have a lot of sympathy designs in our weekly florist recap. They are all so beautiful and unique and some truly personify the person’s life. Although the loss of a loved one is sad, florists do their best to create designs that are bright and uplifting. Don’t miss today’s post with beautiful pictures of flowers from real local florists all across the country!

Sympathy Floral Design Photos

Tropical funeral flowers by Bentley Florist, Burton MI

Tropical funeral flowers by Bentley Florist, Burton MI

“Casket spray for a woman who loved tropical flowers.”

This magnificent funeral floral design features massive anthuriums, protea, birds of paradise, orchids and so much more!

Sympathy spray by Libby's Flowers, Gifts & More, Elberton GA

Sympathy spray by Libby’s Flowers, Gifts & More, Elberton GA

Beautiful standing spray filled with large, blue hydrangea, asters, alstroemeria, roses and more.

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Florist Friday Recap 12/29 – 1/04: Floral Memorials

It’s the first Friday Recap of the new year and the majority of our submissions were sympathy tributes. As one of our florists featured in today’s recap explains, “Funeral work is sad yet beautiful.” We hope you enjoy these beautiful memorials, as well as the other types of arrangements.

Sympathy Flower Arrangements

Heart-shaped funeral flowers by Buds In Bloom, New Albany IN

Heart-shaped funeral flowers by Buds In Bloom, New Albany IN

“Fresh heart we did for a sympathy tribute.”

Standing spray by Jerry's Floral Shop, Greenwood SC

Fragrant standing spray by Jerry’s Floral Shop, Greenwood SC

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The Creative Process Of Local Florist – Blossom Shop

Blossom Shop, Strasburg COTake a peek inside the creative mind of a florist as they design something truly unique for a special someone. This is a story shared with us by Blossom Shop in Strasburg CO.

I got a wire order over the phone from another flower shop. I was pleasantly surprised to get a very good budget for a sympathy arrangement and no specifics other than they would like a nice fall arrangement if you can do that otherwise…

So I got to thinking, I wanted to do several matching pieces, something really large in a basket. I just knew I wanted it to be creative, but not something they might dislike being too interesting.

Getting Inspiration

Squre wreath example from Blossom ShopSo I took a tour of my shop a few times, front and back, to see what sizes and different containers that I might want to use.  Some of my best-liked arrangements come from me finding something I can’t seem to get rid of (container wise) and making it beautiful with flowers. So I found these square wreath forms that I’ve yet to sell; one, because they have structure in the middle for placing a picture or something of the like, and two, they are a big size. I have yet to convince anyone to let me customize the center or pay enough so I could do something “interesting”.

So I grabbed one on those bad boys and got the wheels spinning. I used the leaf-looking ribbon to cover the back. To make that interesting I wove 10 lengths of that ribbon and covered all that maché and the center structure. After soaking it I laid it flat to start my designing.

Bringing It All Together

I covered the center structure with fall-colored, preserved leaves. Then I did the four corners, each with a different type of green to add interest, and then filled in with beautiful fall flowers. [Read more…]

Martha Sheldon Florist’s Unique Casket Design

Martha Sheldon Florist's Unique Casket Design

This post was shared with us by Audry Hurd, GMF, designer at Martha Sheldon Florist in Eastman, GA.

“This was requested for a sister, from brothers who lost her at 31 years old. They wanted something to express her originality.

They wanted to do something different, and I had done one like this before. I had shown them a pic and they fell in love with it. She was wearing pink and the casket was white with gold trim. So I said I would find material to compliment it.  Little did I know that I would find material to have it all matching perfectly.

I really like doing something unique as much as I can, and talk to the family members about their loved one to see if I can feel what kind of person they were. I can then show that love from the family through flowers.”

Casket flowers are traditionally a large, round display. Audry shows us that with fabric and a little imagination, you can certainly create something unique to match anyone’s personality.

Pet Funeral Flowers to Memorialize Fido

Funeral Flowers for Dogs and other Pets

Funeral flowers for Fido.

Whether it’s a dog, cat or bird, loosing a pet is like loosing a member of the family to most pet lovers. As with any loss, a funeral or memorial service can help ease the grieving process. Your pet’s memorial service can be as simple or elaborate as you would like, it’s all about helping you say goodbye to a close friend.

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Fireman Sympathy Tribute

Fireman Sympathy Tribute Flowers Fireman Sympathy Tribute Flowers

Beautiful sympathy flower arrangement by Petal Pusher Diva Flower Studio in El Cajun CA. This was created to celebrate the life of a devoted fireman. Below, the florist explains the thought behind their creation:

Reflection: The white hydrangea reminds me of the smoke plumes at the start of a forest fire; the green Trachelium soft and wet grass rolling on the hills. The red gloriosa burst out flames while the Dahlia are stationary and contained. This is my interpretation of a fireman’s sympathy piece.

So much thought and care goes into creating each and every sympathy tribute. Especially when your florist has some insight into the life of the departed. It doesn’t have to be a literal ‘firetruck’ out of flowers; they can still incorporate many thoughtful elements of their life as a fire fighter into the design, just as they did here.

Tell us your floral story! Whether you are a florist or flower lover, you can share your floral story with the rest of us on the Bloomin’ Blog. Simply Share Your Story here.