If someone you know has recently lost a loved one, you might not know what to do or say. One way to show the person that you care is to send flowers or another gift. Whether you send the gift to a funeral home or the person’s home, it’s important to keep a few etiquette rules in mind. Below are the do’s and don’ts of sending sympathy flowers and gifts.

Do:

Send the Gift As Soon as Possible.

Whether you decide to send flowers or a fruit basket, do so as soon as you hear about your friend’s loss. If you wait too long, it can just prolong the grieving process.

Honor the Family’s Request for Donations.

If the family requests donations to a certain charity instead of flowers, you should respect that. After you make the donation, send the family a card explaining that donation and how sorry you are for their loss.

Don’t:

Think That You Can Only Send the Gift to the Funeral Home.

It’s common for people to send sympathy gifts to the funeral home where the service is being held. However, it’s not the only place. If you, for example, find out about your friend’s loss after the memorial service, you can still send flowers or another gift to the person’s home.

Forget to Include a Personal Note.

No matter what kind of gift you send, always add a note to express your deepest sympathy. Address the note to the person and their family and write something like, “I’m sorry for your loss” or “My thoughts and prayers are with you.” Write the note by hand to make it more personal.

If you need assistance with funeral planning, trust the professionals at Meyer & Geiser Funeral Home in Cincinnati, OH. The owners of the funeral home have a combined 71 years of experience to help you through every step of the planning process. From choosing a casket to writing an obituary, they will be there to assist you with the utmost compassion. For more information about their services, call (513) 921-4144 or visit their website.