Do’s and Don’ts of Funeral Flowers
When it comes to someone passing, it can be hard to know what to do to show one’s support but also sympathy. Not only can experiencing loss be overwhelming, but it can also be a lot to deal with emotionally and mentally. When it comes to knowing what to do when someone has passed or grieving, are a few funeral floral etiquettes that are sometimes forgotten about or overlooked.
In this post we are going to —
* Funeral floral do’s
* Funeral floral dont’s
* Popular flowers to send
Funeral Floral Do’s
Send Flowers —
The moment you hear about someone who has passed or knows of someone grieving, the first thing to do is determine what kind of flowers and how to send them. Sometimes when it comes to this point of sending flowers, it can be hard to know who is to send flowers, here are people who should be sending flowers when they’ve heard of someone who has passed:
* Colleague
* Acquaintance
* Friend
* Family member
It doesn’t matter how long you have known the person. If they have reached out to you or you know they are suffering emotionally from the loss Ð flowers are a great way to show you care but that you are also there for support.
Ask if unsure —
Not sure if the person grieving has certain cultural or religious practices? It is okay, if not recommended, to ask the person or someone close to them about sending flowers. For example, if you have learned that your colleague’s mother or spouse has passed but aren’t sure if they accept flowers, ask a colleague who knows them better. Sometimes it can seem unnerving having to ask, but it is better to be sure than to have your kind gesture misconstrued.
Be patient —
People grieve in different ways; for some, it can take a while to come to terms with the loss, while others can bounce back. One way to show support, compassion, and sympathy is to be patient with the person who has suffered that loss.
Funeral Floral Dont’s
While here are a few things that you can do to be there for someone who is grieving, there are a few things that one should be wary of.
A few funeral floral dont’s include:
Tell them to “move on” —
Everyone mourns differently, some take longer to overcome their emotions while others can move on and continue with life. One thing you shouldn’t do when someone has passed is to tell the person to move-on or to “get over it.”
Go against the family’s wishes —
Maybe you want to send flowers to the funeral home or have your flowers as part of the service, but the family has said they don’t want flowers Ð don’t go against their wishes. They are the ones who are grieving and coming to terms with the loss. At the same time, you may think it’s nice to send flowers as they are going to cheer them up. Respect their decision regarding the flowers, or any other aspect of sympathy and compassionate act you would like to do.
Make it about you —
Just because you may have known the person or maybe you can relate to losing someone, do not make the funeral what they are going through about you. Make their emotions about them, show your compassion and support, and be there for them.
Loss is going to be different for everyone, but there are a few things that are popular across the board. Remember, you can help make the process a bit more bearable through your support, compassion, and understanding.
Popular Flowers to Send
Now that you have gone through our list of do’s and dont’s Ð now you have to determine what kind of flowers to give.
Here are a few popular floral choices that are common when sending flowers for a funeral or to show sympathy.
* Rose— Red, white, pink, or yellow. A rose is a great way to show your compassion and sympathy. This is a common flower that a spouse, parent, or friend would send to someone grieving.
* Lilies — This is a popular flower that is commonly given during a funeral. This can be part of a floral bouquet sent to the grievers’ home or to the funeral service.
* Orchids — Exotically elegant, the orchid is a flower that symbolizes compassion. If you don’t have a close relationship with the person, an orchid bouquet would be a great floral choice.
* Sunflower — A possibly different flower, the sunflower is one that can be a nice “pick me up” during this time of mourning. This would be a great choice to send to their home rather than the service.
* Gladioli — This flower is one that symbolizes strength and can be a great floral choice to give someone after a funeral service.
One thing you can add to a floral bouquet is a note, or you can also accompany a plate of food. This is an excellent way to up the ante on the flowers but to reinforce your support during this challenging and hard time.
Sending flowers is the kindest gesture and sign of compassion one can give to someone who is mourning a loss. Flowers, whether they are delivered as part of a vase or bouquet, it can be a great way to show compassion and sympathy. Even if you may not know the person that has passed on a personal level, it can still be a great act of kindness that can be appreciated.
The next time you know of someone who has passed or maybe someone who is grieving, whether you are their friend, colleague, boss, whatever your role is in their life Ð considering sending them flowers. Flowers are sure to make the loss of a family member, a friend, whoever, much easier to deal with. What more can someone ask for during a difficult time? Sending flowers is an uplifting gesture. It is also a kind act knowing that no matter the loss, some people are going to show their support and do what they can to help them get through this difficult time.
