Sometimes it’s not easy to know what to say to someone who has lost a loved one to console them. However, buying flowers for a funeral is one way of expressing your condolences to the bereaved family. This is because they symbolize love and compassion, and they also serve as a tribute to the deceased. If you want to select the right sympathy flowers, you should consider the following factors:
Relationship
Your relationship with the deceased will determine the type of flowers that you will buy. For instance, if you were very close to the deceased, then you should buy a big and more elaborate arrangement.
Immediate family members
The immediate family members of the deceased such as the spouse, sisters, brothers, and children usually buy essential funeral flowers like wreaths, casket spray, or even large sprays on a stand. These are usually placed either inside the coffin or near the casket during the viewing or the wake.
Extended family members
Family members like cousins, aunts, and uncles can buy informal floral arrangements and bring them home or take them to the cemetery.
Colleagues and close friends
They can choose smaller arrangements such as bouquets in vases, small live plants, or a basket of flowers. Furthermore, they can send them either to the deceased family’s residence or to the funeral home.
Funeral type
You should also consider the type of service the family will hold before buying a flower. For instance, it could be a funeral, a memorial, or a celebration of life. You should also take into consideration the disposition of the body. For instance, if it will be cremated, then you can send flowers to the crematorium.
Personalization
You should choose the floral arrangement based on the type of funeral. For instance, white flowers are a good choice for a traditional funeral. On the other hand, if it is a modern celebration, you can select more vibrant colors. Furthermore, you can choose flowers that complement the personality of the deceased. For instance, if they had a bright and sunny personality, you should buy sunflowers for their funeral.
The faith of the deceased
You should select flowers depending on the faith, religion, or cultural beliefs of the deceased and their family. For instance, for Roman Catholics, you can send all colors and types of flower arrangements because there are no specific ones to avoid. On the other hand, funeral flowers are not common in Hindu traditional funerals because the burial is conducted on the same day the death occurs. However, garlands are popularly used in Hindu burial ceremonies. Finally, you can select flowers depending on their colors and their symbolism. For example, white ones signify peace and eternal life, red ones signify love and blue ones represent calm and comfort.
Conclusion
In conclusion, buying flowers is a lovely way of letting the bereaved family know they are not alone while going through a difficult time. Moreover, the flowers can provide comfort, show celebration of a life well lived, and lift the spirits of the bereaved family.
