Sympathy and condolence flowers — what to send and what to avoid
The right sympathy flowers depend on three things: who has died, where the flowers are going, and how close you are to the family. Tell us those and we'll give you a specific answer — flower, colour, timing, and the caveat the florist forgets to mention.
Examples of what we'd tell you
Flowers for a colleague who's lost a parent White and green — lisianthus, white roses, or chrysanthemums with soft foliage. Nothing red, nothing bright. Send to their home rather than the funeral unless you've been specifically invited to contribute there. Keep the card line short and plain: "Thinking of you" carries more than anything poetic. They will not remember elaborate words. They will remember that you sent something.
Funeral flowers when the family has asked for "family flowers only" Respect it — don't send to the funeral. Instead, send a small arrangement to the family home a week or two later, when the cards have stopped and the house has gone quiet. That is when flowers actually help. If the notice suggested a charity donation instead, do that, and send a card.
Flowers for someone whose pet has died Yes, it's worth doing, and no, it isn't silly. A small posy — something gentle like freesias or spray roses — with a card that names the animal. "So sorry about Bramble" means more than any general sentiment. Avoid anything grand; the scale should match a quiet sadness, not a state occasion.