How do I arrange for funeral flowers?
Published: 04/07/2011 by Funeral Home Resource Team
The use of flowers at funerals is a practice which dates back thousands of years. Although there are different types of funeral flowers and arrangements used, they are most common at Christian, Catholic and non-denominational memorial services where friends and loved ones pay their respect to the deceased and give condolences to the family members. Flowers are always considered in funeral arrangements and are often discussed by family members with officials at the chosen funeral home.
When considering the different types and arrangements of flowers, family members often provide funeral flowers used at a church or graveside ceremony and any casket spray which adorns the casket during a wake or memorial service. Friends and acquaintances, as well as family members, may also arrange for wake flower displays to be sent to funeral homes or any location where a memorial service occurs.
Flowers used during a religious service at a house of worship should be approved by the local pastor. Often these displays are smaller and some families consider these unnecessary since most churches have other decorations or flowers on display at all times. When arranging for the delivery of flowers for funerals, make sure you tell the floral shop the name of the church, the address, the date and the time of the service. If a casket spray is desired on the casket, it is often ordered by the family at the funeral home and delivered to the wake or memorial service. As a rule of thumb, non-family members should not purchase a casket spray. This is not only a very personal issue, but the family may have already ordered one, may prefer to display a US flag on a Veteran's casket or they may prefer a simple non-floral covering indicative of equality in death.
For those relatives and friends who wish to arrange for condolence flowers, these may be sent to either family members of the bereaved or they may be sent to the memorial or wake location. The location, name and address of the funeral parlor if appropriate, time of service and name of the deceased are all required pieces of information to ensure wake flowers arrive at the correct wake service. Although florists offer a variety of sprays, potted plants and other floral displays, the circular wreath is symbolic of the circle of life and a white heart with red roses fracturing the heart is symbolic of a bleeding heart and popular among family members of the deceased. Lilies are one of the most common types of flowers chosen for funeral arrangements due to their symbolic meaning of peace.
If you wish to send flowers for funerals, ordering online is one of the easiest ways. You typically do not have to order flowers very far in advance though more elaborate displays may require 24 to 48 hours. For families who prefer no flowers be sent to the funeral or wake, a charity is often suggested.
When considering the different types and arrangements of flowers, family members often provide funeral flowers used at a church or graveside ceremony and any casket spray which adorns the casket during a wake or memorial service. Friends and acquaintances, as well as family members, may also arrange for wake flower displays to be sent to funeral homes or any location where a memorial service occurs.
Flowers used during a religious service at a house of worship should be approved by the local pastor. Often these displays are smaller and some families consider these unnecessary since most churches have other decorations or flowers on display at all times. When arranging for the delivery of flowers for funerals, make sure you tell the floral shop the name of the church, the address, the date and the time of the service. If a casket spray is desired on the casket, it is often ordered by the family at the funeral home and delivered to the wake or memorial service. As a rule of thumb, non-family members should not purchase a casket spray. This is not only a very personal issue, but the family may have already ordered one, may prefer to display a US flag on a Veteran's casket or they may prefer a simple non-floral covering indicative of equality in death.
For those relatives and friends who wish to arrange for condolence flowers, these may be sent to either family members of the bereaved or they may be sent to the memorial or wake location. The location, name and address of the funeral parlor if appropriate, time of service and name of the deceased are all required pieces of information to ensure wake flowers arrive at the correct wake service. Although florists offer a variety of sprays, potted plants and other floral displays, the circular wreath is symbolic of the circle of life and a white heart with red roses fracturing the heart is symbolic of a bleeding heart and popular among family members of the deceased. Lilies are one of the most common types of flowers chosen for funeral arrangements due to their symbolic meaning of peace.
If you wish to send flowers for funerals, ordering online is one of the easiest ways. You typically do not have to order flowers very far in advance though more elaborate displays may require 24 to 48 hours. For families who prefer no flowers be sent to the funeral or wake, a charity is often suggested.
