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House & Garden

Expressing Sympathy with Flowers: A Guide to Choosing & Sending the Right Blooms


The loss of a loved one is a deeply personal and difficult time. Flowers have a unique ability to offer comfort, express condolences, and honour a life lived. But choosing the right type of arrangement and finding a trustworthy florist can feel overwhelming. This
guide aims to ease the process, providing insights on appropriate floral choices for both the home and the service, along with tips for selecting a reliable florist to handle your order with care.

Comforting Blooms for the Home

When sending flowers to a grieving family's home, the aim is to offer solace and support. Consider these options:

  • Pastel-Hued Bouquets: Soft colours like pink, blue, lavender, and yellow convey serenity and peace. Roses, lilies, hydrangeas, and carnations are popular choices.
  • White Floral Arrangements: White symbolizes purity, innocence, and reverence, making it a traditional choice for sympathy. Bouquets with white lilies, roses, orchids, or daisies can be particularly meaningful.
  • Living Plants: Potted plants like peace lilies, orchids, or succulents are lasting tributes that can offer comfort as they continue to grow and flourish.
  • Custom Touches: Incorporate the deceased's favourite flower, colour, or a special memory to personalize the arrangement and show your thoughtfulness.

A few additional tips for choosing flowers for the home:

  • Size: A smaller, more delicate arrangement is often appropriate for the home, as it won't overwhelm the space.
  • Fragrance: Consider the recipient's sensitivity to fragrance. Some people may find strong scents overwhelming during a time of grief.
  • Delivery: Opt for a florist who offers timely and discreet delivery to the recipient's home.


Honouring a Life with Funeral Flowers

Funeral flowers play an important role in paying tribute to the deceased and expressing sympathy for the family. These arrangements are typically larger and more formal than those sent to the home. Here are some common options:

  • Casket Sprays: Large, elaborate arrangements that adorn the casket and serve as a focal point during the funeral service.
  • Standing Sprays: Tall and elegant, often placed near the casket or on an easel.
  • Wreaths: Circular in shape, symbolizing eternity and often displayed on a stand or door.
  • Floral Baskets and Arrangements: Versatile options that can be placed throughout the funeral home or venue.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Funeral Flowers:

  • Relationship to the Deceased: Close family typically chooses the casket spray, while others may send standing sprays, wreaths, or other arrangements.
  • Religious and Cultural Customs: Be mindful of traditions and symbolism associated with certain flowers and colours.
  • Funeral Home Guidelines: Some funeral homes have specific restrictions on the types or sizes of floral arrangements.


Finding a Reliable Florist

When choosing a florist to handle your sympathy flower delivery, it's important to distinguish between real florists and order gatherers. Real florists have physical shops, in-house designers, and source their own fresh blooms. They offer personalized service, custom arrangements, and a deep understanding of floral design. Order gatherers, on the other hand, are often online-only businesses that act as middlemen, taking your order and passing it on to a local florist (sometimes without your knowledge). This can lead to higher prices, lower quality arrangements, and less control over the final product.

Here are some tips for finding the right florist:

  • Look for a Physical Shop: Reputable florists will have a brick-and-mortar location where you can see their work and speak to their staff.
  • Check Online Reviews: Read reviews from other customers to gauge their reputation for quality and service.
  • Ask About Customization: A good florist will be happy to create custom arrangements to meet your specific needs.
  • Inquire About Delivery: Ensure they offer timely and reliable delivery to your desired locations.
  • Trust Your Instincts: If you feel pressured or rushed, it's okay to shop around and find a florist who makes you feel comfortable and confident in their abilities.

By choosing a real florist, you can ensure that your sympathy flowers are a beautiful and meaningful tribute to your loved one.

Finding the Perfect Florist in Your Recipient’s Area

If your recipient is in Perth Western Australia, Spearwood Florist available at https://spearwoodflorist.com.au/ provides exceptional bouquets, flower arrangements and reliable delivery. They understand the importance of honouring your loved one's memory with dignity and respect.

Sending sympathy flowers is a meaningful way to offer condolences and show your support during a difficult time. By understanding the different types of arrangements and choosing a reputable florist, you can ensure your gesture is both beautiful and comforting.