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Making decisions following a traumatic loss is difficult for many. For example, if your mom recently passed, you may know you need to purchase flowers for her funeral. However, brain fog may hinder you from being able to make a decision.
We understand how difficult it is to lose someone you love, so we have provided you with this blog that’s full of answers to questions about funeral planning and end-of-life issues.
Jump ahead to these sections:
- Types of Funeral Flowers for the Loss of a Mom
- Types of Funeral Flower Arrangements for the Loss of a Mom
- What to Write on a Funeral Flower Messages for the Loss of a Mother
On the other hand, some of you have been tasked with buying a sympathy gift for someone who recently lost their mother. Your selection will be easier, as most online and local floral shops have arrangements already labeled as “sympathy flowers.”
Do you need to pick flowers for your mom’s funeral? Or do you need to buy a flower arrangement for someone who recently suffered a loss? Here are some ideas for making the selection.
Types of Funeral Flowers for the Loss of a Mom
Although the language of flowers is a Victorian concept, we still associate some types of blooms with love and others with sympathy. Here are some of the most popular types of funeral flowers for the services of a loved one.
1. White lillies
White lilies represent peace and sympathy, which is why they often appear in sympathy arrangements.
2. Roses
Although many funeral flower arrangements feature white roses, you may also select your mother’s or mother-in-law’s favorite color of rose if you aren’t concerned about the meaning of flowers.
3. Daisies
Daisies are associated with innocence. Because of this, they are often found in funeral flowers for children. However, these prevalent flowers can be added to a display to bulk up the arrangement.
4. Carnations
Like daisies, carnations are sometimes added to flower arrangements to make them seem larger and fuller. They can also be used to create pops of color in an otherwise monochromatic arrangement.
5. Chrysanthemums
Sometimes called “mums,” there are a lot of varieties of this ubiquitous flower. You might purchase an arrangement full of mums or use them scattered throughout some other favorite meaningful flowers.
6. Gladiolus
Gladiolus is in the iris family. They grow in bunches along tall stems. Because of their unique shape, they stand out in floral displays. They also come in a variety of colors.
Gladiolus represents strength and integrity, which may describe the woman who died.
7. Your mom’s favorite flower
Your mom may have grown light pink peonies and always remarked how much she loved the beautifully-scented and delicate flower. Now that she is gone, you might want to include your mom’s favorite flower in her funeral arrangement.
Unfortunately, not all types of flowers are available at all times of the year. So, if you have a unique, specific kind of flower in mind for your loved one’s services, you may have to call several local flower shops to find one with the color and variety that suits you.
Even if you plan to purchase flowers online, that specific peach color of iris your mother loved may not be available. However, you might ask the florist about adding silk flowers to the arrangement. Silk flowers can also be used as a keepsake and displayed in memory of your mom.
Types of Funeral Flower Arrangements for the Loss of a Mom
When buying funeral flowers for your mom’s funeral, you not only need to select the color and variety of flowers. You also need to choose the type of arrangement. Don’t worry. Even those who know nothing about flowers can rely on the guidance of the floral shop clerk or online store.
Here are the most popular types of flower arrangements for a funeral. Before purchasing flowers for the event, it would be helpful to know whether a casket will be present at the funeral.
8. Standing spray
A standing spray is created to hang from a tripod, which the funeral home usually provides. This option could be used if a casket is present at the visitation or funeral or if there is no casket.
Typically the family members of the deceased order the standing spray placed as the focal point of the room. The price of the standing spray typically depends on its size and the types of flowers used.
Some standing sprays also include a ribbon, which can be personalized.
9. Casket spray
The family may order a casket spray to lay on top of the casket at the funeral. Only choose this arrangement if your loved one’s casket will be present at the service.
Like standing sprays, casket sprays come in various price points depending on the size of the arrangement.
10. Floor arrangement
While standing sprays and casket sprays are typically purchased by members of the immediate family, those offering sympathy may purchase a floor arrangement. This arrangement is done in a basket or vase that can sit on the floor.
Like other arrangements, a floor arrangement also comes in various price points depending on the size and type of flowers in the arrangement.
11. Floral basket
A floral basket is a less expensive version of a floor arrangement. They are typically placed on small stands at the service.
You can send a floral basket to the family whether or not you attend the event. Typically, you have the flowers delivered instead of presenting them directly to the family at the funeral.
12. Wreaths
A funeral wreath is similar to a standing spray, except the flowers and greenery are in the shape of a wreath. A funeral wreath can be purchased by members of the immediate family as the primary display or can be used as a sympathy gift.
Some wreaths are adorned with ribbons with statements that say “Forever in Our Hearts” or “Dearest Mother.”
13. Floral art
A funeral wreath is a ring of flowers and greenery. However, you can purchase flowers and greenery arranged in other shapes for a funeral – such as a cross or a heart.
These displays can be bought by the members of the immediate family or those offering sympathy gifts.
14. Sympathy plant
Typically, sympathy plants are purchased as gifts. These are popular options, as they are longer lasting than cut flowers and can provide a lasting tribute for years.
15. Displays with special meaning
Sometimes flowers are simply objects of beauty meant to provide solace to families who are grieving a loss. As we mentioned earlier, some flowers have symbolic meaning. Still, some families may select floral arrangements by the type of flower, color, or the number on the display.
For example, if you are purchasing an arrangement for a mother who had five children and 13 grandchildren, you might want to instruct the florist to make an arrangement with five red roses and 13 white carnations. You can select a red, white, and blue arrangement for a mother who was patriotic or served in the military. You can add bluebells to the arrangement for someone who loved Texas or sunflowers for someone from Kansas.
What to Write on a Funeral Flower Messages for the Loss of a Mother
If you are a member of the immediate family and are purchasing a standing spray or casket spray, you don’t need to write a message on the card. Simply instruct the florist where the display should be delivered and by what day and time.
However, if you are buying funeral flowers as a sympathy gift, here are some examples of how to sign the card. Keep in mind that if the flowers are delivered to the funeral home, the card might be displayed for all to see. Also, remember that the cards used for flower delivery are typically the size of a business card. Therefore, there’s not enough room to write a long message.
16. “Thinking of you.”
This brief, simple message followed by your name is all you need to include with the sympathy gift. You might want to follow this up with a longer message written on a card.
17. “Sorry for your loss.”
Nothing you write on a card will eliminate the grief the family is experiencing due to the death. However, people are comforted knowing that others are thinking of them. While this phrase may be a bit overused, it is appropriate for a small floral card.
18. “Shannon was a wonderful woman. She will be missed.”
Some choose to include personal messages about the deceased in the floral sympathy card.
19. “Our thoughts and prayers are with your entire family.”
Are you writing a card from a group to a group? Here’s how to handle it. You can sign the card “From The Robinson Family” or “From Your Friends at Smith and Sons.”
20. “Sandra made a difference in so many people’s lives. She will be greatly missed.”
Offer a loving sentiment about the deceased.
21. “My heart goes out to you. Offering sincerest sympathies on the loss of your mother.”
You can also offer your “deepest condolences.”
22. “I wish I could be there with you today. Please know I am thinking of you.”
Are you sending a flower arrangement instead of attending the funeral? Unfortunately, sometimes this can’t be helped.
Flowers Are An Important Part of Life
Someone wise once said, “Flowers don’t tell, they show.” We like this quote because flowers are visual representations of our feelings. That’s why they are an essential part of significant life events.
Brides and grooms take great care in choosing the perfect flowers for their weddings. Flowers are popular gifts on Valentine’s Day and wedding anniversaries. And, of course, flowers are traditionally displayed at funerals and used as sympathy gifts.
