Funeral flower guide: types and tips for choosing the right flower arrangement

Losing a loved one is one of life's most difficult experiences. As a friend or family member of someone who is grieving, you want to do your part in helping express your condolences and making them feel loved at such a sad time. Sending flowers has long been an expression of sympathy. A floral arrangement or plant has the ability to speak what the heart is feeling when words fail or do not seem adequate. Many times, however, some people have questions about funeral flowers. What types of flower arrangements should I send? Are there certain religions where sending flowers is inappropriate? Where do I send them - funeral home, graveside ceremony or to someone's home?

Sending flowers to express your condolences

Similarly, if you are a family member who is making the funeral arrangements (especially if you have never done so before) you may have questions as well. Our funeral flowers guide helps to answer some of these questions and to provide you with the guidance you need to honor the beautiful life of someone who has passed with respect and dignity.

After reading our guide, you will learn that some of the most popular types of funeral flowers are lilies, chrysanthemums, orchids and carnations and that funeral arrangements come in the form of wreaths, standing sprays, casket sprays, baskets and more. When arranging a funeral for a beloved family member, you will know the meaning of different flowers so you can express your exact sentiments through your arrangement. When sending your condolences to a friend or co-worker, the last thing you want to do is send something inappropriate. Funeral flower etiquette can vary from different cultures and religions. When attending a Buddhist funeral, for example, sending white flowers is a suitable gesture, while red is to be avoided. After reading our guide, you will respectfully be able to send your deepest sympathy.

1. Funeral Flowers Guide: Type of Funeral Flower Arrangements

Sending flowers as a way to express one's sympathy is a long-standing tradition - dating back to 60,000 BC!  During sad times, flowers bring the message of hope and signify compassion, love and warmth. Flowers serve a dual purpose in modern times, namely honoring the life of the one who has passed away, and bringing comfort to the grieving family. You have several choices when it comes to selecting the type of funeral arrangement that expresses your true sentiments.

Floral Baskets

Floral basket can be delivered to a funeral home

Funeral baskets make a lovely presentation and come in several sizes. They can be delivered to a funeral home for a wake viewing, to a church for a religious service or to the family's home.

Standing Sprays

Standing sprays are displayed on an easel and are typically displayed near the casket. They allow viewing from one side only. Funeral sprays are characteristically sent to a funeral home, but can also be delivered to a church for a service or to a graveside burial ceremony.

Wreaths, Crosses and Hearts

Wreath funeral flowers

These larger, prominent floral arrangements are displayed near the casket on an easel and are appropriate for family and close friends. The circular shape of a funeral wreath is a poignant way to represent eternal life, while funeral crosses represent faith and the heart stands for love. They are often delivered to a funeral home and may be taken to a gravesite.

2. Funeral Flower Guide: Choosing the right funeral flowers

There are many steps to planning a funeral for a loved one, and one of the most poignant ways to add a personalized touch to a service or memorial is with flowers. In addition to their beauty, many flowers carry with them their own unique meaning or emotion. This is especially important when deciding which flowers will play a role in bidding farewell to someone you held dear. Below are some of the most requested funeral flowers and the special message they convey.

Traditional flower arrangement for funeral

Lilies

As one of the most popular floral choices for funerals, lilies represent the restored innocence of the soul of the departed.

Gladioli

Tall and majestic, gladioli convey strength of character, moral integrity and sincerity

Carnations

White carnations convey pure love and innocence; red carnations represent admiration; and pink carnations stand for remembrance.

Chrysanthemums

In many European cultures, chrysanthemums are only used as funeral flowers as they are symbolic of death. In the US, chrysanthemums represent truth and are typically regarded as a cheerful way to honor someone who lived a full life.

Roses

This highly popular flower carries different meanings depending on the color; White roses express reverence, innocence and youthfulness; Red roses convey respect, love and courage; Pink roses signify love, grace and gentility; Crimson roses denote grief and sorrow; and yellow represents friendship.

Orchids

Pink and white are traditional orchid colors used to express one's sympathy and typically represent eternal love. Phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids are generally the most appropriate types of orchids used as sympathy flowers.

Now that you know the meaning of some of the most popular funeral flowers, you can incorporate them in your arrangements. The tradition of adorning the casket with fresh flowers (called a casket spray) is typically selected by the closest family members - spouse, children, siblings, parents, etc. They are beautiful displays of one or several types of flowers and greens that sit on top of the casket. Full casket sprays are suitable for closed caskets, while half casket sprays are used for open casket services. Casket inserts and garlands are other types of floral designs that are selected by the immediate family.

3. Funeral Flowers Guide: Showing Support for the Grieving

More than any other time, showing your support for someone who has suffered a loss means the most. But many wonder how to be a good friend or family member at such a difficult time. What do you say? What do you do? In this Funeral Flowers Guide, we share some impactful ways on how to show your support.

Be Present

Showing your support does not have to involve some huge gesture. Just being there for someone who is grieving - listening to them, holding their hand and letting them cry or laugh as they reminisce - is all they may need to help them go through the grieving process.

What To Say

If you live nearby, you will likely be attending the wake service, funeral or both. It is at these moments, when many are left wondering what to say to those who are grieving? You do not have to be a poet, just speak from the heart. Still looking for suggestions? Try the following:

• I am truly sorry for your loss
• I am not sure what to say, but I want you to know I care
• You and your loved one will be in my prayers
• Tell me what I can do for you

What Not To Say

Try as we may, sometimes we say the wrong thing or stick our proverbial foot in our mouth. Here are some things to avoid saying:

• At least he lived a long life, many people die young
• Cheer up, he wouldn't want you to be sad
• He's in a better place
• There's a reason for everything
• I know how you feel
• Be strong

In addition to your presence and kind words, flowers are a wonderful way to express what is in your heart. Send an arrangement to the wake, graveside ceremony or church. Also consider sending funeral flower arrangement to the home of those grieving days or a couple of weeks after all the services have ended to let them know you are still thinking of them.

Vietnamese Funeral flower shop

Send a stunning floral arrangement to express your sympathy during this difficult time. Vietnam Flower Shop is one of the best online florist in Vietnam. We offer a beautiful selection of flower arrangements for funerals to choose from. From standing sprays created with fresh, seasonal flowers to funeral flower baskets and more, you will easily find an arrangement to show you care. Vietnam Flower Shop offers a wide range for flowers for funeral at any price including funeral flowers cheap to exquisite standing sprays. Delivery is available same day or next day with a personalized card message to send a note.

1. What are the appropriate flowers for a Vietnamese funeral?

The most appropriate funeral flowers to send are all flower arrangements, funeral floral baskets, funeral stands or a funeral spray. Deciding what is the perfect flower bouquet to send for a funeral can be difficult. There are a variety of funeral arrangements and price points that makes in confusing as you shop. We would like to help you make the ideal choice to send in memory of a friend, family member or loved one.

•    Funeral flower bouquet: The lowest cost funeral arrangement is a flower bouquet. Flower bouquets are perfect to send to a home to let them know are you thinking about them during this hard time. Funeral bouquets are often sent by friends or co-workers.

Funeral flower bouquet is perfect to send to a home

•    Funeral flower basket: The next level up is the funeral flower basket, these are arrangements which are larger and delivered to home or the funeral home. The floral basket will be placed in the collection of gifts and floral stems sent to the family. A floral basket is an ideal gift to send with a group of co-workers or acquaintances.

A floral basket is an ideal gift to send with a group of co-workers or acquaintances.

•    Funeral wreath: Funeral wreaths are what many people associate with floral funeral tributes. Funeral wreaths are typically shaped, often circular, but come in many shapes, designs and sizes. Wreath rings are lovely floral tributes to consider sending.  They consist of a mixture of flowers loosely set in a green wreath. 

Traditional Funeral Wreath in a Vietnamese funeral

•    Funeral flower stands: Last are the Funeral flower stands, which is a gift sent by close family or very close friends. The stands are created by local florists with seasonal flowers displayed on a stand which is always delivered to the funeral home.

Purple and white Funeral Flower Stands in a Vietnamese funeral

2. How to choose the color of a funeral flower arrangement

•    Choosing a particular color of a flower or the color palate of a flower arrangement can set the tone of the condolence message you are trying to convey.  This is yet another aspect of how flowers may communicate in a way that surpasses words alone.

•    The delicate stems of White lilies and Roses symbolize peace, and are very commonly associated with funeral flower arrangements. Yellow Roses symbolize remembrance and friendship.  Pink Roses can indicate elegance, femininity and grace. Purple/ yellow/white orchids symbolizes your everlasting love for the deceased. If you are giving an orchid plant to someone to express your condolences, it is recommended that you choose a white or purple orchid since these symbolize sympathy. The colors in sympathy flowers may also help to signify a story about the life of the deceased.  It is quite common for a old person to be honored with a yellow, white and purple floral tribute.

During times of grieving, a gracefully arranged funeral flower stands or funeral wreath will surely be appreciated. Browse our Funeral and symapthy flowers for more selection. Let us help you with our flower delivery service, and we accept orders even on Weekends and after office hours.

3 Do's and 4 Don'ts For Vietnamese Funerals

Funerals are events that you would prefer not to ever have to experience. Depending on where you’re from, they can either be viewed as a sad event or a celebration.

Here in Vietnam, there are certain age-old practices and routines that you may not yet be aware of. Take note of these rules and suggestions to make sure you remain respectful and beyond reproach during this delicate mourning period

First 3 things you should do to be appreciated

1. Bring along a gift or money
This is an absolute sign of paying respect to the lost member of the family. You can choose to order a solemn funeral flower wreath to be made and sent over to the site of the mourning family when the funeral starts to take place. Depending on the religion, age, marital and social statuses of the loved one, as well as the regional culture, different shapes of the wreath, as well as types and colors of flowers are used. For example, white flowers are dedicated to young and unmarried people while violet and yellow flowers are for older ones. Other than that, a small envelope with a sum of money inside is usually applied by the attendees to show their honor and help the unfortunate family cover the cost of the funeral.

Sending funeral flowers to express your condolences

2. Dress in black or white
Avoid putting on bright, skimpy clothes to a mourning family. If you are a part of the host family, you may be expected to wear white, otherwise, black would definitely the best option. The reason why white clothes are applied in East Asian countries is that they believe it will earn merit for the deceased and the family.
 
3. Odd numbers get rid of bad luck
This might seem a little bizarre for some of you as foreign visitors but as a part of Vietnamese history and culture, certain procedures are carried out in odd numbers. For instance, when lighting incense, a person will pick from one, three to five sticks, while three being the most ideal. Such a rule is also used in case you take a bow down in front of the casket.
In order to explain such traditional taboo, we Vietnamese believe that the odd numbers are referred to as “a lucky sign” at any funerals. Nevertheless, do not tend to apply the rule at any other time as it may lead to being considered macabre or bringing bad luck.

Now here are 4 things you should NOT do at a funeral in Vietnam:

1. Do Not Attend if You’re Pregnant:
The Vietnamese believe that during cremation, the spirit of the deceased is freed from the body and may enter the unborn.

2. Do Not Smile:
This may seem like a no-brainer but it is very important to note that funerals in Vietnam are a sombre event. Therefore, it is best to avoid smiling or laughter as it will be considered extremely rude.

3. Do Not Make Any Noise:
Be as silent as possible and speak only when spoken to. Keep your volume low and ensure your phone is set to silent. The last thing you want is to attract unwanted attention to yourself, especially when you’re a guest.

Watch how the other local attendees behave at the funeral and just follow what they do. Most of the time they will guide you on the steps and procedures so you will have nothing to worry about.

4. Do Not Light Incenseif You’re Menstruating:
Another one that may seem odd to a non-Asian. It is believed that lighting incense while you’re menstruating will bring bad luck to the deceased. What you can do, alternatively, is to stand in front of the coffin, hold your palms together and bow your head an odd number of times.

If you are not from an Asian ethnic background, our advice above can be super useful in case you happen to be invited to a funeral in the country. Some of the rules are still widely applied in other Asian countries. Thus, adopt this new Vietnam history and culture and avoid feeling lost.

Send funeral flower arrangements to Vietnam

It’s tough not to be able to attend a funeral of someone you care for, but sometimes it’s just not possible. Still, you want to show your respect for the deceased and his or her family, and this is where flower delivery services come in. Sending funeral flower arrangements online is not only easy, it also makes complete sense since funeral arrangements are intricate matters that need to be assembled by professionals and delivered with care.

Same day delivery funeral flowers

Sending funeral flowers to show your sympathies

If the deceased is not someone very close, you might hear about the funeral at the last minute. It might be the friend of a friend, or a colleague’s relative, so you want to show your sympathies. Some funeral flowers are available for same day delivery, so be sure to check out the offerings of the companies on our site.

Funeral flowers etiquette

Flower arrangements for funerals come in many shapes and sizes, and it’s not always easy to know which ones are suitable to give. There are local customs for funeral flower etiquette, so try to ask people in the area if you’re not sure. You may send flowers to the funeral home, the venue of the memorial or to the homes of the deceased family members. At the funeral home, a standing spray or a floor arrangement is appropriate, otherwise you should go for a vase arrangement.

Flowers delivered at your convenience

Sending funeral flowers on time

Sending flowers to a funeral is not the same as sending flowers to someone’s home. The funeral venue might be used for several ceremonies during the same day, so timing of the delivery is important. When you order flowers from some of the companies on our site, make sure to let them know the exact time of the funeral the flowers should be delivered to.

Order online to save time

There are only so many hours in a day. What matters is not how much time you spend buying flowers but how they look and the thought behind them. Therefore, don’t think funeral flowers ordered online are somehow less dignified that flowers bought in a physical store. On the contrary, ordering flowers online ensures freshness and timely delivery, both of which as important factors for funeral flowers. Order online to save time, but also to ensure top quality.

Same day flowers delivery to anywhere in Vietnam

Same day flower delivery anywhere in Vietnam

One of the reasons for not being able to attend a funeral in person is often geographical distance. Luckily, distance is no issue when ordering flowers online. Through the companies on our site, you can even get same day funeral flower delivery to anywhere in Vietnam, specially in big cities: Hanoi, Hochiminh city, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hue, Da Nang, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc…

What flowers are suitable for a funeral?

As a general rule, flowers in white or in pale colors are suitable for a traditional funeral. Bouquets should not be ostentatious, but rather toned down and classy. Think white roses and lilies, blue delphinium and green snapdragons. More colorful flower arrangements are also done, but do make inquiries in advance with the family of the deceased if you want to forego the traditional colors.

What to write on the card for your funeral flowers?

Express your sympathy to the family with flowers

 
What you write on the card for funeral flowers depends on your relationship with the deceased. Generally, don’t focus too much on your own grief. Instead, say something about the positive impact the deceased had on your life. You should also express your sympathy to the family of the deceased.

Order funeral flower online – let go of stress and worries

Maybe you’re afraid the flower arrangement will not turn out good enough if you don’t see it before delivery. Don’t be! The flower delivery companies on our site are experienced with all kinds of occasions and deliveries. If you have very specific requests, make sure to emphasize them when making the order, and you can be sure they will be fulfilled. Let go of stress and worries and order your flowers online.