If you’ve recently lost a friend, sending flowers for the memorial service and funeral is a touching way to express your grief and support for the family of the deceased. Before you call a florist, it’s helpful to know standard etiquette surrounding funeral flower arrangements. The guide below explains the significance of popular flower choices and how to know if you should send flowers.

When Should You Send Flowers?

In most cases, flowers will be viewed as a thoughtful gesture that expresses your compassion and sympathy for those closest to the deceased. However, some faiths do not incorporate flowers at funerals—if you’re not sure whether flowers are the right gesture, do your research online or ask a funeral director. Additionally, some families will request a donation to a charity or cause in place of flowers. In these cases, a floral arrangement could be viewed as a thoughtless oversight.

What Do Different Flowers Signify?

As a flower commonly associated with peace, the lily represents the innocence of the departed’s soul. Red roses recall the deep love shared for the deceased, while white roses evoke purity and innocence and pink roses stand for gratitude. The cheerfulness of chrysanthemums could be meaningful if the departed lived a life of joy and exuberance. Orchids make a statement of lifelong love—they can also be given as plants that will continue blossoming beautifully even after the funeral.

When you’re deciding which type of arrangement you’d like, you’ll have several options. Baskets of flowers contain many blooms and can be sent to a funeral home or the family’s home for a wake. Standing sprays of flowers are usually sent directly to the funeral home, where they may be taken home by the family or left graveside. If you were particularly close with the departed, a large wreath or heart arrangement could signify your love for them.

If you’re looking for a funeral home with compassionate, caring staff in Monroeville, AL, Johnson Funeral Home & Monuments is ready to handle the logistics of funeral planning, so you don’t have to. They know how difficult times of grief can be and do everything in their power to ease the burden on you. To learn more about their legacy of service, visit their website, or call (251) 575-3222 to speak with a funeral director.