How to Express Sympathy with Flowers When Someone is Grieving

Posted on 19/09/2022

How to Express Sympathy with Flowers When Someone is Grieving

A Guide to Sending Condolence Flowers

Bereavement is a very difficult time for everyone. If you have personally lost someone, you may know how hard it is to process the death of a loved one and how small things can trigger an outpouring of grief. Even things that are intended to provide comfort can be triggers, such as the care of those around you. This is why it is important to be considerate when it comes to expressing your sympathy after a death. Condolence flowers are a traditional way of doing this, but if you have not had to send sympathy bouquets before, you may be wondering how best to do it. Below we outline some of the key things to consider when choosing how to express sympathy with flowers when someone is grieving.

Ask a Florist

This is our top piece of advice in this scenario, especially if you are not familiar with etiquette around sympathy flowers or have little knowledge of flowers in general. A florist will happily take time to understand what it is your need and which kind of flowers might be suitable for the occasion. They can often advise on questions about etiquette, such as when to send flowers or where they should go. They can also help you understand the difference between different types of arrangements that might be sent after a death as there are a few different designs you might hear about, such as sympathy flowers, funeral baskets, sprays, casket flowers and more. So if you are not sure what these are, talk to a florist to ensure you understand which is appropriate for the situation.

Choose Classics

Once you know which type of arrangement you want to send, the next choice is which flowers to include in it. One option is to choose classics such as lilies, white roses, or posies. There are lots of different flowers commonly used to express sympathy after a loss, so it is often fairly simple to find something suitable if you know what you are looking for. Again, your local florist is a good place to start, but you might also choose to send flowers online instead and you will typically find lots of ideas available.

Send Their Favourite Flower

If the classic bouquets don’t appeal or feel too sombre, another option is to send a bouquet made up of the person’s favourite flowers. This might include less traditional colours and blooms, but ultimately you are trying to show you care and are thinking of the person, so sending something highly personalised may be the best approach. This will very much depend on your relationship with the person and the deceased, so consider it carefully before sending a sunny bouquet as there is a risk it could be interpreted the wrong way. It is why we also advise sending a message with your bouquet so you can express how you feel and why you choose a certain bouquet.

Think Of Cultural Traditions

One thing to consider before you place an order for sympathy bouquets is different cultural traditions and whether flowers are appropriate to that. For example, in Jewish tradition, it is not appropriate to send funeral flowers while the family is mourning and preparing for the funeral. Other cultures also have similar traditions, so it is always best to do some research before making an order to help make sure you are expressing your sympathies in the most appropriate way during a very difficult time.