Sympathy Flowers
The traditions of mourning can be confusing. When a friend or co-worker passes away, people want to show their regard and sympathy in an appropriate manner. Family members and close friends who are dealing with a stressful time may have questions as to what is suitable to send to the viewing. Co-workers, business associates and distant family members may be uncertain as to how to express their regards to the grieving family. Your local florist can help you with an appropriate expression of your sympathy.
Sympathy flowers have been a traditional part of the funeral process for centuries. Flowers express your condolences to a grieving family and offer a visible token of regard. In a funeral home, flowers bring warmth, color and beauty to an impersonal space.
 The family usually provides casket sprays, a large lush design that sits atop the casket. Casket sprays may be personalized with favorite flowers or colors or may be designed to reflect a favorite hobby or pastime, such as golf or fishing.
Traditional funeral flowers include lilies, carnations, snapdragons, gerbera daisies and roses. Traditional arrangements may be designed in a tall or fan shape in either a basket or a mache. Standing sprays, large arrangements designed to be hung from easels and which usually frame the casket, are a popular alternative to a basket or mache. Open circular floral wreaths, which are also hung from easels and symbolize the circle of life, have remained very popular. These arrangements are usually brought to the cemetery and placed on the grave after interment.
Side table arrangements area popular choice for the family to take home after the service. Smaller than the traditional fan shaped basket, side table arrangements may be designed to be viewed from all sides, making them ideal for a coffee table centerpiece.
Sympathy flowers in a vased arrangement have become increasingly popular. Family members can take these arrangements home after the service to enjoy in the days to come.
Plants, both blooming and foliage, and dish gardens are popular and economical ways to send your condolences and to provide a long living gift to the family.
Fruit and gourmet baskets are appropriate gifts when delivered to the family home rather than the funeral home. Food baskets may also be sent to the family with your condolences after the service has been held.
 There is no specific single color palette that is appropriate for funeral flowers. Bright colorful flowers that are a celebration of life are very popular as is a peaceful, calming white color scheme. Seasonal schemes of spring tones or bold autumn colors also work well in funeral designs. Sympathy flowers may also be personalized by using favorite colors or flowers.
Your florist will assume responsibility with confirming the time and date of the services and insuring that your flowers are delivered and displayed before the service begins. For services being held on the same day that you place your order, your florist may offer a suitable plant or dish garden alternative to a floral arrangement if your order is received without time to prepare, deliver and display your arrangement.
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