Sympathy flowers have long been considered the traditional way to express your condolences in times of mourning. Both comforting and beautiful, flowers serve as a beacon of hope, reminding us of the spirit of life. The bouquet you choose to send should eloquently convey your message of sympathy, taking into consideration how well you knew the deceased or how acquainted you are with the family, while still respecting the personal or religious beliefs of bereaved family.

Here is some helpful guidelines in response to the most frequently asked questions related to sending flowers for sympathy or to a funeral.

It is never too late to send an arrangement to express your sympathy. If you just heard the news, and the funeral services have already taken place, it is still acceptable to send flowers to the home of a family member.

You don't need to know everything about flowers to know what kind of sympathy flower arrangement you should send. All flowers are appropriate for sympathy if tastefully arranged. Typically, flowers with a larger or more dramatic appearance would be used for striking, more majestic bouquets such as standing sprays or casket covers. Flowers with compact, more delicate features are used to create designs that can be displayed near the base of the casket or on the sides of the altar. These modest bouquets are also more suitable to be sent to the family's home.

You can choose to customize your arrangement by including flowers with symbolic or specific intent. Browse Our Selection on the Meaning Of Flowers to choose the bouquet that will best represent your sentiment.

While many choose to send subdued and solemn arrangements, it is also apropriate to send a flower arrangement that celebrates the joy and happiness the deceased brought to their life, and the lives of those around them. Vibrant and colorful arrangements in shades of bright pink, yellow, or red can serve as a joyful remembrance and a sign of renewal and hope.

In addition to flowers, plants are appropriate gifts to send as a gesture of condolence. Green, blooming, or combinations of both, plants are a lasting tribute to the memory of the deceased.

If the deceased was Jewish the immediate family will hold a "Shiva" in their home for seven days after the passing. It is customary for friends and coworkers to come by the home and pay their respects to the family, this is known as paying a Shiva call. Desserts, fruit and Kosher food baskets are traditionally taken to or sent to the home, however, flowers are not appropriate for a Shiva call. A fruit or gourmet basket is greatly appreciated by a family who is receiving out-of-town guests during the mourning period.

Flowers sent for the death of a child or an infant are usually a smaller size than regular funeral flower arrangements. The color scheme may be soft pastels or bright sunny colors. Funeral arrangements appropriate for a child's death include arrangements in a vase, standing sprays, wreaths, and crosses.