Funeral Flowers and Etiquette Guidelines

On some level purchasing funeral flowers can be a somewhat complicated task. If you are needing to make the purchase of funeral flowers, you may be wondering about the basic rules of etiquette when it comes to purchasing funeral flowers. Through this article you are provided an overview of the basic rules of etiquette as they pertain to funeral flowers.

The first rule of etiquette when it comes to funeral flowers is to remember why they have been given. Funeral flowers are given really for two reasons: First, to honor the memory of the person who has passed; and, second, to let the grieving family know that they are remembered by you. Funeral flowers are not given to draw attention to the giver. Unfortunately, at memorial service after memorial service you can here a person who has had flowers sent point out his or her contribution to those in attendance. This simply should not be done. If ever there was a time for quiet giving it is when one is presenting funeral flowers.

The second rule of etiquette pertaining to funeral flowers is that understatement normally is best. Of course, there will always be people who elect to purchase large, loud and ostentatious arrangements. The reality is, however, that funeral flowers should compliment and not draw undue attention onto themselves. Funeral flowers should add a lovely touch to the memorial service and not become eye catching targets that draw away from the solemnity of the occasion.

The third rule of etiquette associated with funeral flowers is that it is best to send the funeral flowers to the funeral home itself. It is not a good idea to send the funeral flowers to the church. Moreover, while it is acceptable to send the funeral flowers to the deceased individual's family at home, keep in mind that most families prefer sharing funeral flowers with those people who will be in attendance at the funeral or memorial service. Frankly, the last thing a grieving family wants to worry about is lugging funeral flowers from home to the church. (There is an exception to this rule of etiquette that exists if the family is going to have a gathering at the home following the memorial service. If that is the case, it would be okay for you to send funeral flowers directly to the home. However, and again, keep in mind that it makes more sense overall to send funeral flowers directly to the funeral home itself. The funeral home staff can make sure the funeral flowers end up where they need to be during the course of the memorial service and so forth.)