How to Choose Condolence Flowers to Send to a Bereaved Family

When a loved one passes away, one very meaningful way to show sympathy is to send flowers to the bereaved family.

Condolence flowers, also called sympathy flowers, can be a way to express love and support in a way that words cannot and each flower has a special meaning, adding more value to the message.

However, it’s important to understand that different cultures and religions have different opinions about flowers and their meanings. Also, there are different ways that flowers can be presented, from traditional bouquets to baskets.

Choosing the right sympathy flowers can be overwhelming, but that feeling is completely normal. So let’s take a look at how you can choose the right condolence flowers.

How to choose flowers to send to a bereaved family

Picking the right sympathy flowers to send to a bereaved family may not always be easy, so here are a few tips that may help you make your choice:

1. Pick a favorite flower or colors

If you’re familiar with the deceased’s favorite colors and flowers, you could send an arrangement of flowers having those colors or an arrangement of their favorite kinds of flowers.

If you’re not sure about which flowers to send, try looking into the deceased’s social media pages to get a clue or try speaking with some of their closest friends, if you keep in touch with them.

2. Consider cultural and religious backgrounds

You need to consider the religious and cultural background of the deceased. Different cultures and religions may or may not accept some types of flowers. For example, Christians and Hindus will accept lilies.

Also, for Christian families, sending carnations can be very meaningful. This is because carnations are believed to have been created from the tears of the Virgin Mary. However, remember to be respectful to different faiths as sending flower arrangements in the shape of a cross to a family of the Mormon faith may be viewed as inappropriate by them.

3. Choose the right arrangement

Pick the right kind of funeral flower arrangement. There are several kinds of arrangements available, such as baskets, bouquets, and sprays. Of all the different types of sympathy flower arrangements, bouquets are the easiest to send. You can even try sending potted plants, but this may be a bit more expensive to deliver.

You may also send special flower arrangements that are made into a shape that holds meaning for the deceased. For instance, if the deceased had strong religious beliefs, you could send the family a flower arrangement in the shape of a symbol relevant to their faith.

What are the most ideal condolence flowers?

Here’s a look at the most ideal types of flowers to send to a bereaved family:

1. Chrysanthemums

These are very popular sympathy flowers in the United States. However, they’re also ideal to be sent to families of European or Asian heritage. In many Asian countries, white chrysanthemums are seen as a symbol of grief while in European countries, they’re seen as a symbol of death and because of this, they’re only used for memorials and graves.

2. Orchids

Orchids are suitable to be sent to a person who has lost their significant other. In most cases, pink or white orchids are used. Pink and white orchids symbolize memories, remembrance, and innocence, making them the ideal condolence flowers to send to a bereaved family.

3. Daffodils

These flowers instill hope and celebrate life and rebirth. The message these flowers convey is that death is not the end and encourages mourners to stay strong. Additionally, daffodils may be a good sympathy flower to send to the family of a veteran as the flower also represents chivalry and courage.

4. Forget-Me-Nots

As their name suggests, these flowers represent everlasting memories. They let the bereaved family know that their loved one has left a lasting impression on them.

These are very small flowers, so you could consider adding other flowers to the bouquet to make the flower arrangement look bigger.

5. Hibiscus

This is a flower usually sent to a family who lost a female loved one, like a mother or a wife. The Hibiscus represents beauty and femininity and has cultural ties to Hawaii and the Pacific islands so it would be very meaningful to send these sympathy flowers to a family that is associated with these cultures.

What are some flowers and colors you should avoid?

It’s important to remember that not all flowers may be appropriate as sympathy flowers. So here are a few kinds of flowers that you should avoid:

1. Red Roses

Red roses are often used to symbolize love and celebration so they may not be appropriate as sympathy flowers. Also, in East Asian cultures, especially China, the color red represents prosperity so sending red roses to a bereaved family of East Asian heritage may be seen as offensive. White roses may be more appropriate as the color white is often considered to be a color that represents mourning in many Asian cultures.

2. Marigolds

These flowers are traditionally used for Mexican Día de los Muertos, which is a celebration of the dead. However, other cultures may not see this flower as appropriate.

3. Bird of Paradise

This is a beautiful flower, but it may be seen as too gaudy for a somber occasion. However, if you’re sending a bouquet, including just one Bird of Paradise should be fine.

4. Purple Flowers

Purple flowers should not be sent to bereaved Buddhist families. This is because the color purple symbolizes preciousness and rarity and won’t be appropriate for mourning.

5. Flowers with Bold Colors

Avoid sending flowers with bright colors like hot pink or bright blue. These are bold colors and are more suitable for celebrations but not for funerals.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are some commonly asked questions and answers about how to choose condolence flowers:

1. How soon after a person’s passing should I send sympathy flowers?

You can send the flowers at any time after the person’s passing. However, be wary of cultural and religious views about sending flowers as some faiths may deem sending sympathy flowers inappropriate.

2. Should I send sympathy flowers if I can’t attend the funeral?

Absolutely. By sending sympathy flowers, you can show the bereaved family your love and support even though you’re unable to attend the funeral.

3. Is there a certain number of flowers that I shouldn’t send?

Yes, there are. Certain numbers have meanings in different cultures, for example, 4 is considered bad luck in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean cultures while the number 13 is seen as bad luck in Western culture. Speak to a florist about the appropriate number of flowers to send to a family based on their culture and religion.

Speak to a funeral home about condolence flowers

Choosing the appropriate sympathy flowers to send to a bereaved family may not always be easy. If you need help with your choice, you can always speak to a funeral home. Aside from professional funeral services, funeral homes also have connections with funeral flower suppliers and may be able to help you learn more about sympathy flowers and their meanings. Get in touch with a funeral home in Pittsburgh today.