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Commonly Asked Questions About Sympathy Flowers
Changing trends in how we say good-buy to loved ones often leave family and friends uncertain about how to appropriately express their sympathy. Enclosed are answers to the most commonly asked questions about sympathy flowers.
Question: When choosing a casket spray is it customary to personalize the spray to honor the life of the deceased person?
Answer: It is quite alright to customize the casket to spray to personalize it to the deceased person’s life. For example: If the person, which has died was a farmer, to incorporate a tractor into the spray makes for not only displaying what the person did for a living, but it is memorializing who the person was. Maybe he grew corn and wheat. We can incorporate wheat and even some corn leaves into the floral arrangement. The person may have had a hobby where he or she was an artist. We could incorporate a palette and some paint brushes into the spray. The possibilities for creativity are endless and truly embrace who the person was by personalizing the spray. We want to work with the family to make it as personal as the family wants it to be.
Question: Are there any options to flowers that are too “funeral looking”?
Answer: Although very traditional sympathy arrangements are still requested in many parts of the country, most florists today are happy to create a floral tribute that is original, creative and appropriate. These more contemporary arrangements using a variety of flowers and containers provide the family with the option to take them home, give to close friends or delve to hospitals, nursing homes or places of worship after the service for others to enjoy. Mixed flower arrangements, which look “just picked from the garden” are a popular option as are baskets of green and flowering plants, Your professional florist can suggest a variety of floral sympathy tributes.
Question: Sometimes I see a charity mentioned “in lieu of flowers: in the death notice. Is it still appropriate to send flowers?
Answer: Because flowers help you say what is often difficult to express, they are always appropriate and in good taste. Many people want to express their sympathy and show respect for the deceased in a variety of ways including charitable contributions, food donations, a helping hand and cards and flowers sent to the family’s home or to the funeral service. Flowers also play a functional role, adding warmth to the service and providing the visible emotional support that the bereaved need during this time. Funeral directors tell us that most people do not want a service completely devoid of flowers.
Question: Do some flower arrangements look too “cheery” for a funeral?
Answer: Absolutely not. A funeral service is a way to honor someone’s life and bright and colorful flowers are a meaningful part of this tribute. In addition to adding beautify to an otherwise somber occasion, flowers provide a comforting diversion – something to talk about or look at- during the visitation.
Question: What can I do to make my arrangement special from the rest?
Answer: To make your floral tribute particularly special, ask your florist to create an arrangement that fits the deceased’s personality in some way. For example, a rustic basket of wildflowers to honor someone who loved the outdoors. You could also include his or her favorite flowers or colors, or a flower that has special significance in your relationship with that person. Another example someone played music all their life, a musical instrument can be arranged on a casket piece. If you think about it the possibilities are endless on to how an arrangement can be personalized to make it memorable for the family and friends.
Question: I am part of a group. What are some suggestions?
Answer: When groups including grandchildren, nieces and nephews, friends, neighbors, business associates and clubs go in together on flowers, the arrangements can be very special and make a large showing. Such pieces can include standing sprays and wreaths. When sending flowers as a group include a contact name and address on the card so the family knows who to thank.
Question: What is appropriate to send for a cremation?
Answer: A tastefully done floral tribute adds beauty to any type of memorial service, whether it is a traditional burial or a cremation. Because cremation is increasingly common in some areas, many florists will have specific suggestions. Families may choose a piece designed for display with the urn, or an arrangement that can be enjoyed in the home after the service. A wreath is always nice to display a picture. It can be designed with a nice back drop of greens and a few flowers with the front of the wreath low with greens and flowers. It makes for a lovely presentation and can then be used at the home afterwards.
Question: I found out about the death after the funeral was over. What can I do?
Answer: A floral arrangement received at the home after the activity surrounding the funeral can be a comforting welcome reminder that friends haven’t forgotten. In fact, research shows that bereaved family and friends appreciate being thought of in the weeks or months after the funeral. A personal note or “we are thinking of you” message with the flowers are especially nice for the recipient. Any support you can offer during the grieving process will let them know you care.
Commonly Used Sympathy Terms:
Some of the terms used by florists for sympathy arrangements can be unfamiliar. Here are a few of those most commonly used:
Wreath : A floral presentation often used because a circle symbolizes eternal life
Spray : Flowers designed for viewing from one side only. Often sprays are placed on an easel.
Casket Spray : Flowers designed for the top of the casket. The order is usually placed by the family.
Lid Piece: A general term to describe small floral designs placed inside the casket such as satin hearts, nosegays or small sprays. The order is generally from the grand children or great grand children, cousins, nieces or nephews.
Traditional Funeral Arrangement: A spray of flowers in a mache container, which would go to the cemetery after services.
Table Top Arrangement: Usually in a vase or container for a family member to take home after services.
Dish Garden : An assortment of plants in a ceramic container or basket with fresh flowers added for presentation.
129 So. 7th St.
Terre Haute, IN
812-232-1415
800-205-5162
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