Flowers can be an appropriate sympathy gift and offer much comfort to the family of the deceased. Sending flowers sincerely says, 'I'm here if you need me,' to the grieving individual who will know that he or she can count on you for emotional support.
Flowers add beauty and dignity to the service. They allow us to express love, compassion, friendship, and respect for the deceased and support and sympathy to the bereaved.
History
Flowers have been a part of funeral traditions in nearly every culture throughout history. Their transient beauty, a touching symbol of mortality, gave them a special allure in honoring the dead.
Flowers have always played an important role in burial rituals because of their soothing qualities. The wreaths consisted of well-known medicinal plants and flowers were displayed around the tomb. Ancient cultures show evidences of floral and herb essences being used to embalm the bodies of the dead.
Some believe that the tradition of using fragrant flowers and spices at the funeral was to offset the odor of the decaying body. While some feel that, the use of flowers at funerals symbolizes the restored innocence of the soul at death. Whatever the reason flowers have been and still are a meaningful part of the funeral tribute.
Types
The giving of funeralflowers is a tradition that serves as a gentle reminder of shared loss and soothes the bereaved. The type of funeral flower arrangement you choose to send will depend on your relationship with the deceased and the type of funeral being held. A floral tribute can be sent either to the funeral home or to the residence.
Some of the floral arrangements that are usually sent are:
1) Wreath: Wreaths are circular with a hollow center. It is used to symbolize eternal life. These types of pieces are lovely floral tributes to consider sending to the funeral services, and are often taken to the gravesite. They are a formal and elegant sympathy tribute and are most often chosen by family, friends, colleagues, business associates, or organizations. Funeral Wreaths are a meaningful way of saying that the dear departed will always be remembered and honored.
2) Casket Spray: Casket sprays are also known as Coffin sprays elegantly drape the coffin. These sprays are large arrangements of flowers that either extend to the length of the casket or cover about one half of the casket. Coffin sprays are provided by the main mourners, close family, or friends responsible for the funeral arrangements.
3) Easel Spray: This floral composition is often presented on easels. This item should only be sent to the visitations or funeral service, not to the family's home. This informal tribute is often chosen by family members, close friends, and groups such as businesses, trade associations, or military units. These are also most suitable if the flowers are being transferred on after the service.
4) Floral baskets: This refers to a flower arrangement that is placed in a container with or without a handle.
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This less formal funeral tribute comes in a variety of prices, sizes, and styles. Floral baskets may be given by anyone and can be sent to the funeral home or to the home of the bereaved. This is also an appropriate item to present, if you wish to have the family take the flowers home after the services. It is usually sent by people who have a closer relationship to the bereaved than to the deceased.
5) Pillows or cushions: These are rectangular shaped pieces with flowers, foliages, or moss covering the surface made to be placed in the coffin. They symbolize the beauty of eternal rest and express a deep sentiment and emotion. They are most often given by family members and close friends.
6) Floral crosses: This refers to a cross-shaped base covered with flowers, foliages, moss, or ribbon. It is sometimes used as an alternative to coffin sprays. These formal tributes should only be sent to the funeral home or church services and never to the family’s home. They are usually chosen by family members or religious groups.
7) Heart: These are heart shaped pieces covered with flowers, foliages, or fabric and accented with a cluster of flowers. This design is usually sent by a friends, relatives, or family members to symbolize their love.
8) Inside Piece: This includes small floral designs placed inside the casket. Examples include satin hearts, satin crosses, nosegays, satin pillows, or small sprays. These are sent by family members only, often from the very youngest relatives.
9) Living plants: Blooming or Green Plants may be sent by anyone. They are usually sent to the bereaved's home or workplace. They are especially appropriate when the sender has a closer relationship to the bereaved than to the deceased. Extended family, friends, and co-workers often choose these items and they are common sympathy tributes throughout the year.
10) Name Tributes: Name tributes are formed by individual flowers forming names on a background of greenery. These are deeply personal and individual pieces usually chosen by close family members or friends.
11) Floral lid arrangements and casket covers are traditionally reserved for family members. If you wish to send an arrangement of this type, be sure to ask the family first.
12) Stars, small crosses, bears, bunnies or angels are sent when the deceased is a
child.
13) Funeral Flowers in a Vase or Urn: One of the most popular arrangements for funeral flowers is in vases or urns made of glass or plastic. This arrangement is perfect for expressing any sentiment and is suitable for the funeral services or for the family's home. They are available in a wide variety of prices and are most often sent by friends, business associates, or organizations.
14) A posy of flowers, often made up of delicate flowers are usually presented by children.
15) Floral tributes: Floral tributes such as bouquets, sprays or sheaves of flowers loosely tied together with a ribbon, are highly personalized tributes given by good friends or family members. Most people choose to memorialize the deceased by choosing a design that fits the deceased's personality. You could also include his or her favorite flowers or colors, or a flower that had special significance in your relationship with that person.