A couple of weeks ago we gave you tips from our florists here at Belle Fiori about what arrangements to select and send when a friend or love one has passed. This week, we want to extend to you our etiquette for addressing sympathy cards and banners to accompany your gifted floral arrangement. We hope this provides guidance to those looking for help during such a difficult time, and we encourage you to call our Milwaukee area shop with any additional questions you may have regarding funeral arrangements or deliveries.
Addressing deliveries to the funeral service:
The flowers should be addressed with the name of the deceased, name offaculty(funeral home, church, nursing homechapeletc.) and street address offaculty. The delivery should be sent to the first event of the funeral ( i.e wake or visitation before the funeral service). If ordering online, this time information goes in the special instructions area. Placing an order for a funeral delivery is best done 72-24 hours before the service, less than 24 hours can limit the floral options available.
Bill Smith
Peaceful Funeral Home
124 Main Street
Milwaukee
Visitation Tuesday at 4:00pm
Addressing deliveries to the home:
This delivery tag should be addressed to the survivors only, with their home address or work address. This delivery should be scheduled after the funeral services. Deliveries to the home should be scheduled to follow any travel plans if the survivors needed to travel to a distant location for the funeral, likewise after a return to work following a sympathy leave of absence.
Mary Smith
ABC Company
100 N 1st St.
Milwaukee 414-123-4567
Regarding Card messages
From extended family or personal relations:
The card may be addressed to the survivors (i.e Dear Mrs. Smith or Dear Mary and family) OR reference the deceased (In loving memory of Uncle Bill…). A message or verse may follow the greeting, closed with the names of those sending the flowers. Immediate family need not use last names.
From business partners or otheracquaintances:
A simple title of “With deepest Sympathy” or “Our thoughts and prayers are with you” can be followed by the name of the organization or persons sending the flowers. Also, any personal reference to years of service, awards or achievements are always appreciated.
Make note that a traditional florist card is the easiest to read at a funeral service and canaccommodatea few simple sentences and approximately 10-12 first names. Large greeting cards are best to be included with a delivery to the home.
Banners or script on ribbons:
Any messages to be included on a ribbon should list who the deceased was to the sender of the flowers (i.e. Beloved Father, Dear Uncle). Any family nick names or ethnic titles are to be used byimmediatefamily only (i.e. Dear Aunt Cookie or the German titles Oma /Opa). The lettering on the script is not to be in lue of a message on a greeting card. Banners and script on ribbons are for deliveries to a funeral service only.
FAQs
There are no rules for timing the delivery of flowers, but it's good to get them to the bereaved as soon as possible—either at home, to the house of worship, or to the funeral home in time for the visitation or funeral.
When sending funeral flowers who is the recipient? ›
Who Should Receive Funeral Flowers? The deceased's close family members tend to be the recipient of the most flowers. However, it is also appropriate to send flowers to the deceased's relatives — especially those you are close to.
What to say when ordering flowers? ›
Let your florist know if you prefer a mixed flower arrangement or an arrangement made up of just one type of flower. Provide your florist with the necessary basic information – the name, full address and phone number of the recipient, the delivery date, your card message and payment information.
Do you write your name on funeral flowers? ›
Flowers sent to the funeral should be addressed to the funeral home, church or crematorium itself and make sure you include the name of the deceased so that they know for which funeral they have been sent.
What is the difference between sympathy flowers and funeral flowers? ›
The difference between “funeral flowers” and “sympathy flowers” is that funeral flowers will go directly to the funeral home to act as a tribute at the service of the deceased. They add decoration, beauty, and life to what can be an overwhelmingly somber event. Sympathy flowers are typically sent after the service.
How do you list names on funeral flowers? ›
From extended family or personal relations:
Smith or Dear Mary and family) OR reference the deceased (In loving memory of Uncle Bill…). A message or verse may follow the greeting, closed with the names of those sending the flowers. Immediate family need not use last names.
Do you put the deceased name on funeral flowers card? ›
It's completely up to you what you put on the card, but it can be hard to find the right words. You can choose to write something about the deceased, or you can write a message to the people who have lost their loved one.
What do you write on a flower delivery Card? ›
Cheer Up Card Messages
- Every time you see these blooms, remember someone is thinking of you!
- “To everything there is a season.” I'll be here for you until this passes.
- Thinking of you!
- May things get better soon.
- Sending sunny thoughts to brighten your day.
- Hope this brightens your day!
10 Short Funeral Wreath Banner Messages
- Rest in Peace.
- Sleep Peacefully.
- Forever in Our Hearts.
- Gone but Never Forgotten.
- In Loving Memory.
- We Will Miss You Forever.
- Goodbye My Love.
- Memories of You Will Last Forever.
Typically you can expect to pay in the region of $50.00 – $80.00 for a decent size floral arrangement. Specialist requests for name floral tributes or shaped wreaths can cost anything upwards of $100.00 and a large casket spray can cost between $250 – $700.
White - White is the traditional color of funeral flowers, as well as sympathy flowers. The color white evokes feelings of peace, innocence, and honor. White flowers are suitable for any funeral occasion.
What flower color means sympathy? ›
Blue flowers represent sadness, sympathy and peace. Orange flowers signify enthusiasm, joy and warmth. Purple flowers represent respect, sorrow, sympathy and admiration.
Do you need to send a sympathy card if you send flowers? ›
Not only should a condolence flowers message say who the arrangement is from, but it also needs to contain a memo expressing your condolences. Simply saying, “with deepest sympathy” is appropriate, yet there are situations where you want to write a more personal message.
Do you send sympathy flowers to family members? ›
Some people choose to send flowers a week or so after the funeral when the initial chaos has passed. However, it can be a nice gesture to send sympathy flowers to the family's home after the funeral to remind the bereaved that you have not forgotten about them or their loss.
How do you address a funeral envelope? ›
If you're addressing a sympathy card to a friend or relative, it's just like addressing a normal card or letter. In the center of the envelope, write the recipient's first and last name on the first line, followed by their street address on the second line, and their city, state, and zip code on the third line.
Do you address the person in a sympathy card? ›
If you know the deceased, then address your condolences to the closest living relative such as their wife/husband or eldest child. If you do not know the deceased but your friend or relative was a close friend or relative of them, then address your condolences to them.
How do you address a card to a deceased person's family? ›
If you knew the deceased well, but not the family, address the note to the closest relative—usually the widow, the widower, or the eldest child. You can also add “and family” if you wish: “Mrs. John Smith and Family.” If you didn't know the deceased but you know one of the relatives, write to that person.
Is it OK to give money instead of flowers at a funeral? ›
Money is not an appropriate gift, although exceptions may be made when the family is left in extreme financial difficulty. In that case, friends may wish to pool contributions to make a gift of assistance.
When should you not send a sympathy card? ›
While proper etiquette dictates that sympathy cards are ideally sent within two weeks after a death, it is never too late to send someone a sympathy card or note to express your heartfelt feelings of condolence for their loss.
Who do you address a funeral card on flowers? ›
Do: address the flowers to “the family of…” or if you knew the deceased or a member of the family personally, the card can be addressed to that member of the family.
How do you properly give money to a grieving family member? Tucking cash or a check inside a sympathy card is a great way to offer support. Include a check if you mail the card. You may only want to include cash if you present the card to the family at the visitation or funeral.
What is an appropriate amount for a funeral donation? ›
How Much Should You Give? The traditional gift is the amount you would have spent on flowers for the service, generally between $50 and $100.
What do you write on a funeral donation envelope? ›
It should state the deceased's name and from whom the donation has been received. Placing the cash into the envelope and sealing this should, where possible, be witnessed.
What is an appropriate amount of money to give in a sympathy card? ›
There is no hard and fast rule for how much money you should put into a sympathy card. It is important to consider how much you can afford and the need of the family. You don't want to put financial constraints on your family because of giving.
Do you address sympathy card entire family? ›
If you know the deceased, then address your condolences to the closest living relative such as their wife/husband or eldest child. If you do not know the deceased but your friend or relative was a close friend or relative of them, then address your condolences to them.
How do you address a sympathy card envelope? ›
If you're addressing a sympathy card to a friend or relative, it's just like addressing a normal card or letter. In the center of the envelope, write the recipient's first and last name on the first line, followed by their street address on the second line, and their city, state, and zip code on the third line.
How long after a death is it OK to send a sympathy card? ›
Is it ever too late to express your sympathy to someone who has suffered a loss? If you're trying to follow proper etiquette, it's best to send a note, gift or flowers within two weeks of the funeral. However, you can do it later, as long as you feel it would be helpful rather than painful.
