When someone passes away, it’s a common practice to send flowers to their family to provide comfort and let them know you’re thinking of them. Flowers have long been a part of funeral services, but there are some etiquette rules to follow in selecting and sending flowers. To ensure your gift is received in the spirit with which it was intended, keep these tips in mind. 

How to Send Flowers to Funeral Services 

1. Respect the Family’s Wishes

Sometimes, the deceased’s family will request that mourners make a donation to a favorite organization in lieu of sending flowers to the funeral service. The preference will typically be noted in the death announcement. If the family has asked that flowers not be sent, respect those wishes and honor the deceased in the preferred method. 

2. Choose Flowers According to Faith

Although flowers are an acceptable part of funeral services in most faiths and cultures, there are some practices that you should follow. For example, Eastern and Greek Orthodox funeral arrangements are typically designed with white flowers, and it’s inappropriate to include crosses or crucifixes in arrangements for Mormons.

In the Jewish faith, flowers aren’t usually included in the funeral service, and it’s more appropriate to send a fruit basket to the family’s home. If you aren’t sure of the customs, ask a close friend or family member of the deceased for guidance. 

3. Include a Card

Ideally, the card that you include with the funeral arrangement should be handwritten by you. If that’s not possible, ask the local florist to handwrite the card for you. Keep it simple, with just a few words of comfort for the family of the deceased. 

4. Avoid Inappropriate Arrangements

Although the purpose of flowers is to bring cheer and comfort to the loved ones of the deceased, that doesn’t mean they should be whimsical. Avoid arrangements with balloons, stuffed animals, or anything that doesn't reflect the seriousness of the occasion.

If you need to arrange funeral services, contact Abriola Parkview Funeral Home for help. Serving Trumbull, CT, and the Fairfield County community for over 100 years, we provide compassionate and family-focused pre-planning and funeral services to honor your loved one. We will be with you every step of the way to ensure meaningful funerals and memorial services. Call us at (203) 373-1013 to schedule a consultation or visit our website to browse our services.