Today I want to spend a little time writing about appropriate sympathy tributes.
Although many obituaries say something like “in lieu of flowers”, we have learned most families appreciate the beauty and softness flowers provide at a funeral or memorial service. The obituary request, often suggested by the funeral director, is more a suggestion than a demand, and people are certainly welcome to send condolences in whatever manner they deem appropriate.
Funeral flowers come in all styles and colors, multiple colors, red, white and blue, or all white. Ranging from large funeral sprays and casket covers (sometimes called blankets), they are expressions of sincere loss. Here are a few examples of funeral sprays and casket covers designed by Roadrunner Florist.
Another very popular floral arrangement is the traditional basket. These can be filled with flowers or all types and designed in all price ranges. Here are a few examples of traditional funeral baskets.
Many people choose to send green plants to funeral services as a long lasting tribute to the deceased.
Appropriate for Jewish funerals are fresh fruit and goodie baskets.
It is important that each of us convey our condolences in our own special way.
Let us help you send your thoughts and prayers to a grieving family with fresh flowers or a gift basket from Roadrunner Florist & Basket Express.
roadrunnerfloristbasketexpress 
Those are such lovely arrangements! Although, hopefully I do not need to send one anytime soon 😉
Amen, Robin.
Really gorgeous arrangements! I wish I knew the flowers’ names – I love the white ones that look prickily, almost like sea urchins. They give so much dimension!
Those would be spider mums, Meredith. One of these times I’ll post the names of the flowers with the pictures (thanks for the suggestion!!).
Beautiful arrangements. Thanks for including the various types available depending on religion. It demonstrates your sensitivity and caring, which conributes to your providing great service.
Thanks, Roz. There are many religious customs and ceremonies that need to be met when expressing sympathy. Your local florist should be able to help you in this regard.
These are beautiful! I love the red/yellow/white one.
Thanks, Dee. I love those colors, too.
These are all beautiful arrangements. Thank you for sharing your tips and ideas that can help us when deciding what arrangement to send. Great advice.
Thanks, Meryl. I hope you never need to send funeral flowers, but if you do, I hope you remember what I have said.
So many beautiful options! I prefer to send the green plants.
Pamela has a green thumb. We bring in flowers and they thrive while they’re in our shop. Then, when we send them out they are a really pretty tribute.
Thank you for sharing all these beautiful arrangements, tips and ideas. I like the different options you have shared.
Thank you, Alexandra. I value your opinion and I appreciate you taking the time to look at these beautiful flowers.
If you look at each arrangement individually and seek out its energy, you’ll see that each seems to convey a specific subtle message. While all flowers are beautiful, their combinations can really say different things. That’s why it’s so important to work with someone caring and sensitive when such important arrangements are being selected …
Beautifully put. Do you mind if I use your wise words?
All very lovely arrangements. Love the energy flowing through these flowers!
Thanks, Nate!! We do our best to design beautiful tributes.
All of the flowers are truly beautiful! I especially love the fruit baskets. I can definitely see how the different arrangements bring different feelings. Great post!
I enjoy designing the fruit baskets. My new website http://www.giftbasketsbytina.com is being worked to showcase my fruit (and snack) baskets. I can hardly wait for you to see it!
These are beautiful arrangements. I really like the one with the sunflowers.
Thanks, Jen. Sunflowers are a favorite and they definitely brighten the surrounds at the funeral or celebration of life.
Sometimes it’s hard to pick the right arrangement for the family. These are lovely.
Diana, that is the opportunity to “trust” the local florist. We know what to design that will convey your condolences. No, not a program (click and magic) like 188flowers or proflowers but a real flower shop, where you talk to the designer, find out what’s fresh and what will convey your sentiments.
Flowers are such a wonderful gift anytime, and can be comforting at a time of bereavement. Your arrangements are lovely.
Thank you, Helene. We have attended funerals where there are no flowers and it’s just not the same. Flowers soften the sorrow for the family.
these are all very lovely arrangements. Flowers are such a great way to let someone know that you share in their grief and you are thinking about them and praying for them
Thanks, Veronica. Flowers are an integral part of sharing the loss. I hope people realize they can send flowers even if the obituary says “In lieu of flowers”.
These are so beautiful. I love the idea of a living plant as a tribute. It can also represent a loving memory to future generations who will get to enjoy the living tribute.
Yes, the plant is a living tribute for a long, long time.
These are such beautiful ways to express your love to someone as a tribute. I pray I don’t have to send any, but now I know the proper way to do it. So thank you
I agree that I hope you don’t have to send sympathy flowers for a very long time. I’m glad I could be a little bit of an instructor if and when the need arises.
I really like the idea of a food or snack basket.
I think they are well received because the family enjoys them after the service or tribute.
Beautiful Flower Arrangements The Fruit Everything Looks So Pretty!
Thanks, Lisa. I love designing the fruit baskets. I know they are appreciated by the family after the service.
Beautiful arrangements I would love for one of those to come to my house.
I’m glad you love the arrangements, but I hope you don’t have funeral flowers delivered to your home soon.
There is something comforting about flowers. They’re like big hugs!
You are so right!! thanks for noticing.
Thanks so much for sharing, such beautiful flowers and arrangements!!!
Thanks Joan. I am glad you enjoying seeing these beautiful flowers.
Beautiful arrangement you do. For funerals, I usually like to send white flowers.
Many people choose to send white flowers to funerals. Those arrangements are always stunning.
I hope I don’t need to send any of these but you do have a beautiful selection of both floral and non-floral arrangements.
Thank you Lois. I, too, hope you don’t need flowers like this soon.
Tina, I’m thankful for your professional insight into the issue or flowers or not. In our area people always include that phrase, “in lieu of flowers.” I’m glad that you have stated, clearly, what people like. The other thing I always have a problem with is what to write on the card. I get so awkward when I have to write a condolence card. 😦
Thank you so much. Yes, writing the card can be very difficult. When I take an order, I find out the relationship with the deceased (family, friend, distant cousin, etc).. The other thing I do is I let the person talk to me, and since I take shorthand I write down every word they say. (Yes, honestly I do this!!). Then I can read it back word-for-word and that is usually what they want on the enclosure card. For example, “I loved the time I spent with my uncle when we went fishing and then we played catch. I’m glad he married Aunt Mary and was there for me as I was growing up”. Then we decide if we’re going to write it TO the uncle for to the FAMILY (which means changing a few words). This becomes a very personal sentiment and usually the tears fall on both sides of the phone.
what pretty arrangements!
Thanks so much!!
Yes, I think that flowers, hugs, fruit baskets, phone calls, charitable donations, cards or other messages can all be thoughtful ways to reach out to a grieving family.
Beth, I agree with you. I think a person should be able to express his or her condolences in whatever way seems fit.
These are all great arrangements. When my father passed we asked for donations in lieu of flowers. We received a few arrangements and they meant quite a bit to my mother.
Nicky, it’s wonderful that the flowers you did receive were meaningful to your mother because the donations that were made were helpful to the hospice or the church or the school or wherever they went, but they were not a something that your mother could take home and enjoy. Thank you for sharing.
Those flowers are all so pretty! The last funeral I went to was in Mexico, where they traditionally have ‘coronas’ – or crowns – made of flowers. At my grandma’s funeral there were at least 20 huge ones all lined up.
Wow, Mariana, that is quite a tradition. I’ll be it’s beautiful and a great send-off of the spirit to the next world. Thanks for sharing this with me.
Sympathy arrangements are something that people don’t think about often, but everyone has to purchase at one time or another.
Yes, Janeane, we don’t want to but we do find ourselves in a position to express our condolences during our lifetime.
Everyone gives their condolences differently. For example, giving flowers in our culture is actually offensive in some cases during a funeral. But for other occasions, like weddings and graduations, it is encouraged.
OOOh, now this is exciting to me! Please tell me your culture. I would never want to offend someone so I need to know where this is not appropriate. thanks so much.
I usually always send a green plant – a plant that can be taken home by family and friends.
This is one of the best options, Debbie, for a lasting tribute to the deceased.
I don’t think many people listen to the “in lieu of flowers,” I know I don’t. I always send them anyway, lol.
Terri, I’m so glad to hear that! Our industry is harmed by the funeral home industry because they ask the family to include those 4 words in an obituary. We believe people should be able to express their condolences in whatever manner they choose.
Lovely arrangements. I would rather have flowers at a funeral to lighten the mode, but to each there own. All these arrangements just makes me feel warm. Thanks for sharing.
Most people feel the way you do, but because the obituary says “In lieu of Flowers” they tend not to send them. But flowers soften the sadness and, as you said, lighten the mode.
really very nice arrangements,love those flowers.
Thanks, Michelle. We take pride in designing floral arrangements that convey the feelings of the sender.
Those are just beautiful and I am sure they would each do an amazing job of lightening the lives of someone going through grief
Thanks so much. We think flowers soften their sorrow.
I like looking around the wake and seeing the flowers around the casket.. It makes it allot less morbid to me..
Me, too, Phoo. I find the flowers divert attention and soften the sorry.
People always remember beautiful flowers at a funeral. They bring comfort and caring at a time when people need it the most. Lovely arrangements you shared!
Thank you Dawn, for your insightful comments.
I like the idea of conveying sympathy in a way that’s right for you and maybe represents the kind of relationship you had. This makes it a really personal tribute 🙂
I’m glad you agree Zoe, that conveying sympathy sentiments should be conveyed in the manner that is appropriate for you.
I love that so much care is put into each of the designs. I know that when I buy flowers, I really want it to be special. So I’m really glad to find a company that cares this much.
You are not alone in wondering if you can trust the floral company to care. Remember this: your local florist is in business to help you with all of your gift-giving needs. He/she’s not a computer somewhere, or a phone mill. He’s your neighbor and friend.
I appreciate that you showed us such different variations. Thank you for sharing!
Thanks, Clarissa. What has been fun for me is that people are commenting and telling me about their own customs and traditions so I’m learning something new, too!
The arrangements are beautiful, but I prefer a plant that lasts after the services and that symbolizes that life continues as a tribute.
So many people agree with you, Debi. Plants are a living tribute to a loved one.
I never knew there was a difference! …but know I know! Thanks for sharing this, hopefully I’ve never given the wrong kind of flowers before!
I don’t know that there is every a “wrong kind” of flower. Cultures and traditions might dictate what is appropriate, but a grieving person can certainly convey his condolences in his (or her) own way.
The arrangement is smart and quite commendable. With beautiful flowers like this one can easily get lost with choice of any
Thanks so much. The entire idea is for people to have options when they extend their condolences.
That’s such a beautiful selection. I always think that flowers for remembrance remind up of the circle of life and the hope that life will eventually be filled with happiness again after such a sad time.
Thank you so much. I, too, think flowers are appropriate reminders of the circle of life.
What beautiful arrangements, Tina. My favorite items to send during a loss is the peace lily (I know that is not the right name) and/or a fruit basket. I was given a peace lily years ago and it is still blooming today. It is a wonderful reminder of the people who gave it to my family during a very difficult time. Thank you for sharing these beautiful photos and ideas.
Thank you for sharing that with me, Robin. The peace lily (yes, that is the right name) is the traditional plant for a sympathy for the exact reason you state: it is a living reminder of the thoughtfulness of the sender and the life of the deceased. Many people send fresh fruit baskets, too, so the family can enjoy it when they get together to celebrate life. I am thankful that you liked these photos and ideas.
Love all your creations. I’m glad to hear that fruit & goodies baskets are appropriate as well. It makes perfect sense. Do you know if all florists offer those kind of options as well?
Thanks so much. I would guess all florists offer fruit baskets, but not all offer goodies the way we do.