The floral landscape has evolved within the celebration of life and funeral industry. There are no hard and fast rules, but general etiquette still applies. Our long time, local icon Bachman’s shares guidance when planning your floral contribution and gift for the funeral and/or celebration of life.
Sympathy Flowers: Etiquette and Responsibility
Provided by Bachman’s
From the Family for the ServiceHo
- Burial Floral Arrangements: Burials traditionally include sprays to be placed on a casket, insets, and wreaths and other blooms on easels.
- Family members usually order the casket spray and any flowers to be placed inside the casket. Additional fresh flowers, easel arrangements, and European baskets (including both green and blooming plants), and other flowers are often added by family members.
- Memorial Floral Arrangements: Memorials typically feature an urn and memory piece surrounded by flowers or flanked with fresh accents.
- Family members usually order any flowers to be placed around the urn or memory piece. Additional fresh flowers, easel arrangements, and European baskets (including both green and blooming plants), and other flowers are often added by family members.
How Friends can Contribute
- Groups or individuals close to the deceased or family members often send their own arrangements as well. You may bring flowers directly to the funeral home, but give the bouquet or arrangement to the funeral director for proper placement. Include your first and last name in the enclosure card. If sending from a group, you can include each individual’s name or simply the group name, like “Book Club.” Include at least one contact name so that a thank you card can be sent.
- Fresh arrangements, baskets, planters, green and blooming plants, and other remembrance gifts are often welcome. You may bring flowers directly to the funeral home, but give the bouquet or arrangement to the funeral director for proper placement. Include your first and last name in the enclosure card. If sending from a group, you can include each individual’s name or simply the group name, like “Book Club.” Include at least one contact name so that a thank you card can be sent.
Some common sentiments to write inside of an enclosure card include:
“Our prayers are with you.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you.”
“Peace and comfort.”
“Peace of the Lord be with you.”
“Please accept my condolences.”
“You have my deepest sympathy.”For more information contact www.bachmans.com.