Funeral Flowers

There are many different types of floral arrangements from which to choose to express your feelings.  Coffin sprays are large arrangements of flowers that are approximately 4 feet long and are elegantly draped on the coffin.  They can be ordered in colors befitting a male or female as well as a general floral spray mixed with appropriate greens. 

Funeral Flowers prepared in an oasis base last longer such as floral arrangements in the shape of a heart.  Floral crosses in lengths of 2, 3, 4 and 5 feet are also available and very popular.  Name tributes are individual flowers forming names or words up to seven letters on a background of greenery.  These are usually chosen by close family members. 

Wreath rings are lovely floral tributes to consider sending.  They consist of a mixture of flowers loosely set  in a green wreath.  Pillows or cushions with your choice of flowers can be made up to be placed in the coffin. The name of the deceased can also be added to the pillow for personalization. 

Stars, small crosses, bears, bunnies or angels are traditional when the deceased is a child.  The floral arrangements are done in white with trimming in greenery. 

If you wish to have the family take the flowers home after the services, a floral basket is in order.  The arrangement is tastefully prepared and placed in a wicker basket for this purpose.  Flowers hand-tied are set in water and more suited to be sent to the mourner’s home.  The reason is that there is no guarantee that the flowers will remain upright on the trip to the cemetery.  Traditional floral sprays are yet another choice.  These sprays are beautifully arranged with greenery and tied with a colorful ribbon. 

Any type of flowers can be used for funeral flower tributes.  However, there are certain flowers that are more popular and more commonly used in floral arrangements.  In many countries worldwide, chrysanthemums are traditionally used in funeral floral arrangements.  White is the most popular color.  However, they are also available in a number of other lovely colors. 

One of the reasons white is so popular is that it can be sprayed any color that is desired.  Another reason is that white denotes truth and honesty. Double chrysanthemums are also popular since they can be used for pillows, names and massed wreaths very easily. 

Roses are a very popular funeral flower because of their striking beauty.  Red roses are the most traditional flower used and  white, yellow and pink are frequently used as well.

Another traditional funeral flower is the lily.  Longiflorum lilies come in white only and the flower head has a trumpet shape.  Other types of lilies are also often used in floral arrangements.  Carnations are also traditional funeral flowers.  Massed in red, they have great visual appeal.  However, they are more expensive than chrysanthemums and are consequently not used as often. 

Since the type of funeral flowers sent comes from the heart, the decision should reflect your personal feelings for the deceased and you should be satisfied that your choice sends a sincere and appropriate message. 

Sympathy flowers can be sent as soon as you hear about the death or can be sent on the day of the funeral service itself.  Sending sympathy flowers to the relatives home is often done as mark of respect and to show the family concerned that you are thinking about them at a very difficult time.  Funeral flowers are generally sent on the day of the service.  It is very important to make sure the funeral flowers are sent by at least a couple of hours ahead of the funeral service.  Sympathy flowers can also be sent after the funeral itself, to let the family know that just because the funeral service has already happened, you are still thinking of them.  There are no rules to sending funeral and sympathy flowers, it is always the thought that counts.
 

Sending funeral flowers and sympathy flowers to the friends and family of the deceased is a very traditional way of expressing your your feelings and showing your love.   Sending flowers to the families home is a very common trend.  Some people choose to send flowers as soon as they hear of the death, others choose to wait for a few days.  That being said there are no rules and the main reasons for sending the flowers is to show the families concerned that you are thinking about them at their time of grief.

When sending flowers to the actual funeral service, it is very important to make sure the flowers arrive at least 2 hours before the funeral begins.  The types of flowers sent to the funeral service can and often are different from the flowers sent to the bereaved families home.  Funeral wreaths, baskets, standing sprays and casket sprays are just a few of types of flowers usually sent to the funeral.  As well as flowers, plants, especially white lillies are often used at funerals and they can be taken home after the service and burial or cremation has taken place.