When someone you care about experiences a loss, sending flowers is a thoughtful way to express sympathy, offer comfort, and let the family know you're thinking of them. But when it's time to order, you may encounter two terms that sound similar:  sympathy flowers and funeral flowers.

Although both express condolences, they are generally designed for different purposes and delivered to different locations.

At My Floral Shop, we help customers choose appropriate flowers for families, funeral services, memorials, and celebrations of life in Colorado Springs. Understanding the difference between sympathy and funeral flowers can make choosing an arrangement easier during an already difficult time.

What to write on the sympathy card.

What Are Sympathy Flowers?

Sympathy flowers are typically sent directly to the home of someone who has experienced a loss.

They're intended to provide comfort and remind the recipient that friends, relatives, coworkers, and others are thinking about them.

Sympathy arrangements are often designed similarly to other beautiful floral arrangements intended for the home. Depending on the recipient and your relationship, you might choose:

• A vase arrangement
• A basket arrangement
• A peaceful mixed-flower arrangement
• Roses
• Lilies
• Carnations
• Hydrangeas
• Seasonal flowers

No single flower or color is required for sympathy.

White flowers are traditional because they're often associated with peace and remembrance, but soft pastels and tasteful colorful arrangements can also be appropriate.

The most important consideration is choosing something that communicates your support for the recipient.

What Are Funeral Flowers?

Funeral flowers are generally designed specifically for a funeral, memorial service, viewing, visitation, or celebration of life.

Rather than being delivered to someone's home, they're commonly delivered directly to a:

• Funeral home
• Church
• Chapel
• Memorial venue

Funeral arrangements may be larger or designed differently because they're intended to be displayed during a service.

Common types include standing sprays, wreaths, baskets, traditional arrangements, and other memorial designs.

Friends, coworkers, organizations, or extended family members often order some funeral flowers. Immediate family members traditionally select other pieces, especially those placed closest to the casket.

The Main Difference Between Sympathy and Funeral Flowers

The easiest way to understand the difference is to think about where the flowers are going and who they're intended to comfort.

Sympathy flowers are generally sent to the grieving person's or family's home.

Funeral flowers are generally sent to the funeral or memorial service.

Both express condolences, but they serve somewhat different purposes.

If you can't attend a funeral in Colorado Springs, sending funeral flowers to the service can help represent your support.

If you'd rather provide something the family can enjoy privately at home, a sympathy arrangement may be the better choice.

When Should You Send Sympathy Flowers?

You can send sympathy flowers as soon as you learn about someone's loss.

You don't necessarily have to send them before the funeral.

In fact, sending flowers to the family's home several days or even a few weeks after the service can be especially meaningful.

Immediately following a death, families often receive many messages, calls, visitors, and gifts. Support may become quieter after the funeral, even though the grieving process continues.

A thoughtful arrangement sent later can remind someone that they haven't been forgotten.

When Should You Send Funeral Flowers?

Funeral flowers should generally arrive before the visitation, funeral, memorial, or celebration of life begins.

If you're ordering funeral flowers, provide the florist with as much information as possible:

• Full name of the deceased
• Funeral home, church, or venue name
• Complete address
• Date of the service
• Time of the service
• Your card message

Ordering early is recommended because funeral arrangements may require additional design time and must be delivered before a specific event.

What Flowers Are Appropriate for Sympathy?

There are many appropriate choices.

Rather than worrying about strict rules, focus on the recipient and the message you want your flowers to convey.

Lilies

Lilies are traditionally associated with sympathy and remembrance and are frequently included in funeral and sympathy arrangements.

If the flowers are going to a home with cats, however, lilies require special consideration because lilies can be extremely dangerous to cats.

If you're unsure whether the recipient has cats, you may want to choose a different flower selection.

Roses

Roses can suit both sympathy and funeral arrangements.

White roses can convey peace and remembrance, while other colors may be chosen based on the relationship or the family's preferences.

Carnations

Carnations are frequently used in memorial arrangements because they're available in many colors and hold up well in larger floral designs.

Chrysanthemums

Chrysanthemums are commonly associated with remembrance and can work beautifully in sympathy and memorial designs.

Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas provide soft color and fullness and can be incorporated into elegant arrangements for someone's home.

Mixed Flowers

You don't have to choose a single variety.

A tasteful mixed arrangement can be one of the best choices when you aren't sure which flowers the recipient prefers.

Do Sympathy Flowers Have to Be White?

No.

White is a traditional choice for sympathy because it conveys a peaceful, elegant feeling, but it isn't your only option.

Soft pink, lavender, blue, peach, yellow, and other colors can be appropriate depending on the circumstances.

You can also consider the deceased's favorite color.

For a celebration of life, families sometimes prefer bright, cheerful flowers that reflect the person's personality rather than a traditional all-white arrangement.

When possible, consider the family's preferences and any instructions included in the obituary or memorial announcement.

What Is a Standing Funeral Spray?

A standing spray is a larger floral arrangement displayed vertically on an easel.

People commonly send these arrangements to funeral homes, churches, memorial services, and celebrations of life.

Because they're intended for display at a service rather than inside someone's home, standing sprays are generally considered funeral flowers rather than sympathy flowers.

They can be designed in traditional whites and greens or incorporate colors that reflect the individual being remembered.

What Is a Funeral Wreath?

A funeral wreath is a floral design traditionally arranged in a circular shape.

The circle can symbolize continuity and remembrance.

Like standing sprays, wreaths are normally displayed on an easel and sent directly to the service location.

Wreaths may be appropriate from family members, friends, organizations, coworkers, or groups wishing to express their condolences.

Should You Send Flowers to the Funeral Home or the Family's Home?

Either can be appropriate.

Ask yourself what you want the flowers to accomplish.

If you want your flowers to be part of the funeral or memorial service, send funeral flowers to the service location.

If you want to comfort the family, send sympathy flowers to their home.

You can also send flowers to the home after the funeral.

Expressions of sympathy don't need to arrive before the service.

Can You Send Sympathy Flowers if You Can't Attend the Funeral?

Absolutely.

If you live outside Colorado Springs or can't attend the service, flowers can be a thoughtful way to express your condolences from a distance.

You can order from a local florist and have the arrangement delivered directly to the funeral home, church, memorial location, or family's home.

Make sure you provide accurate delivery information and a personal card message.

What Should You Write on a Sympathy Flower Card?

Your message doesn't need to be long or elaborate.

Simple, sincere words are usually best.

Examples include:

"Thinking of you and your family during this difficult time."

"With deepest sympathy and caring thoughts."

"Wishing you peace and comfort in the days ahead."

"Our thoughts are with you and your family."

"With heartfelt condolences for your loss."

If you knew the deceased personally, adding their name or a brief personal sentiment can make the message more meaningful.

Avoid feeling pressured to find perfect words. A genuine expression of care is what matters.

What Does "In Lieu of Flowers" Mean?

Sometimes an obituary or funeral announcement will state "in lieu of flowers" and suggest donating to a charity, nonprofit organization, church, medical organization, or another cause.

When the family has made a specific request, it's respectful to consider their wishes.

You may still want to send a personal card or contact the family directly to express your condolences.

Is It Too Late to Send Sympathy Flowers After the Funeral?

No.

There isn't a strict deadline for expressing sympathy.

Flowers delivered to someone's home after the funeral can be especially thoughtful because they're arriving after many of the immediate activities surrounding the service have ended.

You could send them several days later, on an important anniversary, or simply when you feel the recipient needs a reminder that someone is thinking of them.

Sending Sympathy Flowers to a Business or Workplace

Sometimes you may want to send sympathy flowers to a coworker or business associate.

Before sending flowers to a workplace, consider whether the recipient would be comfortable receiving them publicly.

For a close coworker, sending flowers to their home may provide a more personal expression of support.

If you're ordering on behalf of a company or group of coworkers, a tasteful arrangement with a card signed by the team can also be appropriate.

Information You'll Need When Ordering Funeral Flowers

Funeral deliveries are time-sensitive, so accurate information matters.

Before placing your order, gather:

1. The deceased's full name.
2. The funeral home, church, or venue.
3. The complete delivery address.
4. The date of the service.
5. The service or visitation time.
6. Your card message.
7. Your contact information in case the florist has questions.

These details help the florist coordinate delivery with the funeral home or service location.

Ordering Sympathy and Funeral Flowers in Colorado Springs

When you're choosing flowers during a difficult time, you shouldn't have to make the process more complicated than necessary.

My Floral Shop offers sympathy and funeral floral arrangements for customers who want to express their condolences to friends, family members, coworkers, and loved ones in Colorado Springs.

Whether you're looking for a comforting arrangement to send to someone's home or flowers appropriate for a funeral or memorial service, we're here to help you choose the right design.

[Shop Sympathy & Funeral Flowers]

If you're unsure what type of arrangement is appropriate, contact My Floral Shop and tell us where the flowers are being delivered and your relationship to the recipient. We can help you choose the floral arrangement that best fits the situation.

Frequently Asked Questions About Sympathy and Funeral Flowers

What is the difference between sympathy flowers and funeral flowers?

Sympathy flowers are generally sent directly to the grieving family's home to provide comfort. Funeral flowers are typically designed for display at a funeral, visitation, memorial service, church, or celebration of life.

Should sympathy flowers be sent before or after the funeral?

Either is appropriate. You can send sympathy flowers immediately after learning about the loss, around the time of the funeral, or even several days or weeks afterward.

What color flowers are best for sympathy?

White is traditional, but it isn't required. Soft pastels and tasteful colorful arrangements can also be appropriate. Consider the family's preferences and the personality or favorite colors of the person being remembered.

Can I send funeral flowers if I can't attend the service?

Yes. You can order funeral flowers from a local florist and have them delivered directly to the funeral home, church, or memorial venue before the service.

What should I write on a sympathy flower card?

Keep the message simple and sincere. Messages such as "Thinking of you during this difficult time" or "With heartfelt condolences for your loss" are appropriate.

Is it appropriate to send sympathy flowers to someone's home?

Yes. In fact, arrangements intended for the family's home are generally what we mean by sympathy flowers.

Is it too late to send flowers after the funeral?

No. Sending flowers after the funeral can be a thoughtful way to remind someone that you're still thinking about them after the immediate activity surrounding the service has ended.