BloomFresh Funeral & Sympathy Flower Guide

What Is the Difference Between Funeral Flowers and Sympathy Flowers?

The difference is fairly straightforward.

Funeral flowers are generally designed for a funeral home, church, memorial service, graveside service, or another location where the deceased is being honored. They tend to be more traditional, formal, and often more elaborate.

These arrangements may include casket sprays, standing sprays, altar arrangements, floor baskets, wreaths, hearts, crosses, and other traditional floral presentations created specifically for the service. At many traditional funeral services, the deceased or cremated remains may be present, and the flowers become part of the ceremony and final tribute.

Sympathy flowers are generally sent in support of the living—the family, friends, or others affected by the loss. They may be sent to a memorial service, celebration of life, workplace, church, or directly to the family’s home.

Flowers sent to a service may be larger, more formal, and designed to be viewed primarily from one direction. Flowers sent to a home should usually feel more personal, comforting, and appropriate for a residential setting.

A sympathy gift for the home could be a peace lily, a blooming plant, a custom plant garden, or a beautiful fresh flower arrangement. Traditional service pieces such as standing sprays, altar flowers, and casket sprays are designed for funeral or memorial settings and are usually not suitable for a private residence.

When sending sympathy flowers to the home, think about comfort. Think about warmth, color, peace, and contributing something beautiful and memorable in support of the family.

The Purpose of Flowers During Grief and Remembrance

Across cultures and generations, flowers have long been part of the grieving and remembrance process.

They are natural and beautiful, and they carry meanings that people instinctively understand: life, rebirth, hope, peace, remembrance, dignity, and continuity.

Flowers also create an opportunity to participate. They allow someone who may not know exactly what to say or do to show support in a visible and meaningful way.

The flowers cannot change what happened or remove the loss. But they can bring beauty into a difficult space and remind a grieving family that they are not alone.

How Flowers Communicate Support When Words Are Difficult

Loss is one of the most difficult and mysterious realities of our lives.

During these times, people often struggle to find the right words. Sympathy flowers, funeral flowers, and flowers sent to the family home have a language of their own.

They are a way to reach out and participate. They are a way to say:

We care.

We remember.

We are thinking about you.

We are here for you.

The flowers do not replace the person, the words, or the loss. They become a visible expression of love, remembrance, support, and human connection when words alone may not be enough.

The BloomFresh Philosophy Regarding Funerals, Sympathy, and Participation During Loss

Our family’s combined experience in the flower business approaches nearly a century.

One of the most meaningful parts of being a family florist is having the opportunity to participate in the full range of human life and emotion. We celebrate births, love, marriages, accomplishments, and happiness. We also participate with care, dignity, and support during periods of passing, grief, and remembrance.

The BloomFresh philosophy is simple: think of flowers as the vehicle. Their beauty becomes its own language of love, peace, remembrance, and support.

You do not have to send the biggest arrangement. You do not have to send the most expensive arrangement. The most important thing is that you participate.

BloomFresh is here to help you do that and to help you choose something appropriate, meaningful, and within your comfort level.

What Is a Visitation?

A visitation is a longstanding funeral tradition and is often the first gathering held before the funeral service. It gives the family an opportunity to receive support from relatives, friends, coworkers, neighbors, and members of the community.

The deceased may be present in an open or closed casket, although visitations may also be held when cremation has been chosen. The exact format depends upon the family’s wishes and religious or cultural traditions.

A visitation is generally less formal than the funeral itself. It allows people to offer condolences, speak with the family, share memories, and begin coming to terms with the reality of the loss.

What Is a Wake?

A wake is similar to a visitation; however, it can often be social and informal. or more focused on prayer ritual and even superstition, but usually a mix of both. Traditionally, this Celtic-based ritual was the only opportunity the family or local community had to assemble urgently, for an in-home gathering, as most families washed, dressed, and prepared the deceased for burial themselves. The body was never left alone overnight and was guarded by a "Wake", always family or loved ones, to prevent unwelcome spirits from mischief before burial.

Depending upon family and cultural traditions, a wake may include food, drink, music, prayer, speeches, and stories about the person who died. The modern wake has many similarities to a visitation, both offering opportunities to share memories that may be funny, joyful, sad, or deeply emotional. Together, they help family and friends remember the entire life of the deceased—not only the moment of passing.

What Is a Rosary Service?

A rosary service is most closely associated with the Catholic faith and may be held as part of a visitation or funeral observance.

Those present pray the rosary together aloud, following its traditional sequence of prayers and meditations. The rosary may take place before, during, or after the visitation, depending upon the family’s wishes and the customs of the church or funeral home.

It provides a structured opportunity for prayer, reflection, remembrance, and support before the funeral service.

What Is a Graveside Service?

A graveside service takes place at the cemetery, burial site, or place of interment. It may involve the burial of a casket or the interment of cremated remains.

Graveside services are often shorter and simpler than traditional funeral services. The immediate family generally gathers closest to the deceased, with other relatives and friends standing nearby.

The service may include prayers, scripture, music, military honors, personal remarks, or a final blessing. Although usually brief, the graveside service can be one of the most personal and meaningful parts of the funeral ritual.

What Is a Celebration of Life?

A celebration of life is a gathering centered on remembering and celebrating the personality, experiences, and life of the person who died.

It does not have to take place in a church or funeral home. Celebrations of life are often held in parks, restaurants, event spaces, community rooms, or private homes.

They tend to be less formal and may include photographs, music, food, laughter, stories, tears, and shared memories.

Because a celebration of life can be scheduled for a later date, it gives family members and friends more time to travel and attend. That additional time may also allow some of the initial shock of the loss to settle before everyone gathers.

A celebration of life creates room for grief, but it also creates room for warmth, personality, gratitude, and appreciation for the life that was lived.

What Is Jewish Shiva?

Shiva is a traditional Jewish period of mourning during which close family members gather and receive support from relatives, friends, and their community.

Visitors may come to the family home, bring food, sit with the mourners, pray, speak about the person who died, and offer comfort simply through their presence.

Prayer, conversation, community, food, and quiet support are important parts of sitting shiva. The tradition gives the grieving family a structured period of mourning and reminds them that they do not have to face their loss alone.

What Is a Post-Service Repast or Family Gathering?

A post-service repast is a meal or gathering held after a funeral, memorial, graveside service, or other remembrance ceremony.

It may take place at a family home, church hall, restaurant, community room, or another gathering place. Family members and friends come together to share food, exchange hugs, tell stories, offer support, and sometimes even laugh together.

The repast provides a transition from the formality of the service back into ordinary human connection. It is often one of the first opportunities for the family to sit together, breathe, and begin to feel that although the loss remains painful, they are surrounded by people who care.

What Is a Standing Spray?

A funeral standing spray is one of the largest and most recognizable traditional statements that can be made during a funeral, memorial, or sympathy service.

Standing sprays are elevated on an easel to give them height. They are easier to see from farther back in the service and create an extraordinary presence because of their size, complexity, colors, and overall presentation.

They are beautiful and impressive, but they also have a very traditional funeral appearance. A standing spray may be round, oval, or more free-form, with a backing of lush greens carpeted by a variety of flowers, a few primary blooms, or even a single flower such as a solid background of roses.

The flowers extend outward, almost replicating the way a flower opens wide from its center. A properly constructed standing spray can require a great number of flowers, along with the greens used to back, frame, and outline the design. They are truly spectacular.

The exact shape is usually left to the designer, and the color palette is highly personal. For a woman, families often choose feminine colors such as pinks, yellows, lavenders, fuchsias, corals, and purples. For a man, the choice may be bright spring colors or more masculine, earthy tones such as reds, golds, oranges, yellows, auburn, lavender, or a natural wildflower palette.

Standing sprays are often designed to coordinate with the casket spray or the overall funeral flower theme selected by the family.

What Is a Casket Spray?

A casket spray is traditionally the floral centerpiece of a funeral service where the deceased is present. It is best described as a beautiful mound of flowers, often crescent-shaped, covering at least half of the casket.

For a closed-casket service or a more elaborate presentation, the flowers may cover the entire casket. The design may coordinate with the other family flowers or follow its own color theme.

The mound is generally constructed with strong supporting flowers and finished with primary blooms such as roses, lilies, and other beautiful, showy, or fragrant flowers. Casket sprays are built on a hidden cage containing hydrated floral foam to help keep the flowers fresh.

A casket spray should be delivered directly to the funeral home so it can be properly placed and secured on the casket according to the funeral home’s procedures.

Generally, florists do not approach or place flowers directly upon the deceased unless specifically requested by a family member. This is done out of respect for the deceased and the family.

What Are Funeral Wreaths, Hearts & Crosses?

Funeral wreaths, hearts, and crosses are traditional floral sculptures designed to be displayed prominently during a funeral or memorial service.

The traditional round funeral wreath represents continuity and eternal love for the deceased. Wreaths may be open in the center or completely filled with flowers while still maintaining their distinct circular shape.

These designs are displayed on an elevated easel, which may be made of wire or wood and is generally about four feet high. The floral sculpture is secured to the easel so it can be clearly seen during the service.

The funeral heart is also very traditional. It may be open in the center or completely filled with flowers while retaining the shape of a heart. Hearts are appropriate for women or men and represent the close connection between love and loss.

A floral cross is quite literally what it implies: a tall floral sculpture in the shape of the Christian cross, elevated on an easel. White is a popular color, but it may also be designed in multiple colors or any color palette that fits the service.

The floral cross is rooted in Christian tradition and, for some families, is an important symbol to have present.

It is a large, primary piece that adds a beautiful, traditional, and religious touch to the overall service.

These pieces are more than flower arrangements. They are true floral sculptures and are among the most recognizable traditional funeral tributes.

What Is a Floor Basket?

A funeral floor basket is a traditional, one-sided flower arrangement designed so the flowers face the audience.

The design usually fans outward and is generally lower than a standing spray. A floor basket may also be placed on a pedestal, which makes it easier to see and gives the arrangement a larger presence because the pedestal becomes part of the display.

The colors may coordinate with the other family flowers or may be personalized for the deceased. A floor basket is a substantial traditional funeral arrangement with a lower-profile presentation.

What Is a Sitting Spray?

A sitting spray is similar to a floor basket but is generally larger and has a more showy presence.

It is designed to sit lower than an easel spray while still creating a substantial floral display. Like a floor basket, it usually has a one-sided orientation and may coordinate with the other funeral flowers selected by the family.

What Is a Sympathy Basket?

A sympathy basket usually has a round orientation, meaning the flowers can be viewed from every angle. It is commonly designed in an earthy-toned wicker or vine basket.

The arrangement may follow any color palette the customer chooses and will generally contain a mixture of flowers accented with primary blooms such as beautiful roses, lilies, and other prominent flowers.

Sympathy baskets are usually not as large as floor baskets or sitting sprays. They are a good choice for an economical yet well-presented sympathy tribute.

Are Vase Arrangements Appropriate for a Funeral or Memorial Service?

Yes. Vase arrangements are a beautiful and practical funeral or sympathy flower option that is often overlooked. Many people believe they must send a large, traditional sympathy piece, but that is not necessarily the case.

The beauty of a vase arrangement is its round orientation. The flowers can be seen from every side, and the design may have a tall, long-stemmed presence that can be very impressive.

The color palette can range from feminine and elegant to masculine, earthy, bright, or wildflower-inspired. There are countless options in flowers, styles, shapes, and colors.

A vase arrangement can be displayed during the service, but it can also be taken home afterward without looking like a traditional funeral piece in someone’s house. That is important because standing sprays, wreaths, sitting sprays, and other traditional funeral sculptures are generally left with the deceased.

A vase arrangement can therefore be both a beautiful memorial tribute and a more practical gift for the family.

What Flowers and Plants Are Appropriate for a Funeral or the Family Home?

Peace lilies, plant gardens, and mixed green plant baskets are all excellent sympathy gifts for a funeral service or the family home. The size and style of the gift often depend upon the closeness of the relationship to the deceased or the family.

As a general rule, someone with a close relationship may choose a larger or more substantial tribute. A more distant relative, friend, coworker, or acquaintance may choose something smaller that still carries a clear and beautiful message of support.

Peace lilies are among the most popular sympathy plants and are always a good option. Keep in mind, however, that they are often the only plant people think to send, so families may receive several of them.

Another option I frequently recommend is a garden basket containing several smaller green plants in a beautiful decorative container. These plants are often selected for their durability, suitability for ordinary indoor conditions, and relatively easy care.

A garden basket becomes part of the home’s décor and can look beautiful in a living room, den, or kitchen. With basic care, the family may enjoy the plants for years.

Plants are available in a very affordable to somewhat higher price range, depending upon the size, variety, and presentation, and they often offer very good value. You tend to get more with plants.

For a late-notice funeral or memorial service, a plant may also be one of the most practical ways to get something attractive and meaningful delivered quickly.

What Flowers Are Appropriate for an Urn or Cremation Service?

Flowers placed near an urn should complement the urn rather than overshadow it. With the increasing popularity of cremation, urn arrangements and cremation flowers have become an important category to understand.

Generally, the best choice near the urn is a low, lush, and beautiful flower arrangement.

One arrangement may be placed beside the urn, or two similar arrangements may be placed on either side. Another option is an urn embrace, which is a continuous horseshoe-shaped arrangement of flowers designed to surround the urn.

It is also very common to send larger traditional arrangements for a cremation service unless the family has specifically requested otherwise. Standing sprays, sitting sprays, floor baskets, and sympathy baskets can all be appropriate.

There are still many meaningful funeral flower options available when cremation has been chosen.

What Is a Memorial Table or Photograph Tribute?

A memorial-table flower arrangement is a smaller tribute placed beside a name registry book, a photograph of the deceased, or other personal memorial items.

This arrangement does not have to be large. It should be fresh, pretty, and designed to complement the table rather than overwhelm it.

The flowers will generally follow the traditional color palette selected for the service unless the customer requests something different. For a woman, the colors may be pretty, elegant, and feminine. For a man, families may choose brighter colors, earthy shades, or more masculine wildflower tones.

A memorial-table arrangement is not always used, but it is a thoughtful touch, especially when the service includes a registry book, photographs, or other personal items.

What Is a Personalized or Custom Funeral Flower Tribute?

A personalized or custom funeral flower tribute is designed around something meaningful to the deceased, such as a favorite sports team, color palette, interest, occupation, or personal theme.

It is a wonderful idea, but it is often an idea that comes late in the planning process. Funeral-specific custom pieces require time.

A family may want something representing a favorite sports team, such as the Red Sox or Chicago Bears. A florist may be able to reproduce the team colors, but highly specific elements such as banners, flags, pennants, or specialty decorations may not be immediately available.

Any custom floral tribute should be requested with enough time for the florist to locate the necessary personalized elements and properly develop the theme.

This can be difficult because many traditional funeral services take place within only a few days of the time of passing. That may not leave enough time to order special materials or construct an elaborate custom tribute.

Florists will always do their best to help, but highly personalized funeral pieces can sometimes be a challenging task when time is limited.