The kind of flowers you send to a funeral should be dictated by the relationship you had with the departed. Here is a handy guide:
- For loved ones: a casket spray is the ultimate statement. Choose a handsome arrangement that includes flowers favored by the deceased. You can also send smaller arrangements to the home and gravesite. A personal note is always appreciated.
- For acquaintances and business contacts: You want something respectful but not overly dramatic. Pick a simple arrangement using blooms of the same or similar color.
- For people your weren’t crazy about: You may be in a social position where you need to send flowers when someone you know dies, even if you didn’t like the person. Send simple white flowers – the lack of color bespeaks your lack of grief over the loss.
- For ex-spouses: You’ve been waiting for this day since the divorce became final. Consider the pitcher plant or Venus fly trap. These plants look scary and smell like rotting meat. The depth of your true feelings will be acknowledged by the family of the deceased.
Whatever the relationship, it’s easy to actually send the flowers with little effort on your part. You can go to a local florist shop, or save time and order funeral flowers online. First decide how you felt about the deceased (see above). Next, set a budget accordingly. Your will be spending at least $20 and could end up spending hundreds.
If you are using a neighborhood florist shop, you can stop in and make a selection personally. You can ask your florist for advice on what would be most appropriate for your budget. His inventory is constantly changing so look around carefully. Also, your florist will usually have a supply of cards you can sign to accompany the flowers. Don’t feel you have to write anything fancy, just simple condolences will suffice.
A convenient alternative is an online florist. They will have pages of photographs of different arrangements from which you can choose. Once again, try to find something nice that’s within your budget. You will need to have the address of the funeral home and instructions as to when to deliver. You will need the address of the cemetery and the family’s home address if you are sending flowers there as well. In any event, the family of the deceased will remember your thoughtful gift, one way or another.