Certain color schemes may be preferred in sympathy arrangements. Soft pinks, purples, and other pastels are considered to be feminine, while darker colors and natural tones are masculine. While, red, and yellow are always popular.
Different types of designs serve different functions. The wreath is very popular because it symbolizes eternal life. The wreath is normally large and showy and is usually sent by family members or groups of people, such as the staff where the deceased worked or a Sunday school class or organization. The wreath is usually made of fresh flowers and greenery.
The spray is a flat piece and is displayed on an ease. It is usually made of fresh flowers, and it can be ordered by anyone. It can vary in size from a small spray from an individual to a very large mass of flowers from an organization.
A floral arrangement in a vase, basket, or other type of container can be ordered by anyone and is usually less expensive than other types of sympathy tributes.
The casket piece can be a blanket or a spray. Blankets are seldom ordered because of the time and the costs. They are difficult to make and are time consuming. This tribute, whether blanket or spray, is designed to rest on the casket, and it is usually ordered by the immediate family. It may be made of rose buds, but it can be any flower the family wishes. I saw a striking casket spray once made solely from large white cattleya orchids. It was magnificent!
Inside pieces are small silk pillows, rosaries, nosegays, etc., to go inside the casket. They are made from the same types of flowers as the casket spray. They make lovely tributes from the children in the family.
There are all sorts of customized arrangements: heaven's gates ajar, broken hearts, wheels with missing spokes, heaven calls, crosses, bleeding hearts, bibles, Masonic emblems. The list goes on and on.
The use of flowers may reflect religious beliefs. Make sure you are aware of the difference between faiths. You don't want to offend your clients, especially at this sad time. If you are ever in doubt, check with local religious leaders.
Baha'i: Burial should take place within a one-hour drive from the place where death occurs. Flowers are appropriate.
Buddhist: Most Buddhist funerals take place in a funeral home. Flowers are normally appropriate.
Catholic: Flowers are usually welcomed and appreciated. For deliveries to the church, please confirm details with the parish. Practices many vary with regard to casket sprays, where flowers many be displayed, etc.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the Mormons: Most floral tributes are encouraged and appropriate, except flowers arranged on a cross or crucifix.
Eastern Orthodox: During the period before burial (three days after death) flowers may be sent to the funeral home. There is often an emphasis on white flowers. Some placement restrictions may apply. Those unable to attend the funeral may send flowers to the funeral home or to the family home.
Other Christian Faiths: Floral expressions of all kinds are generally welcomed at funerals and memorial services. Individual churches may have their own limitations on placement.
Hindu: Hindus try to hold a service at a funeral home before the sun goes down on the day of death. Flowers generally may be sent, although doing so isn't necessarily part of the Hindu tradition. Garlands and mixed seasonal sprays are typical.
Islamic: Some say flowers are inappropriate; others say they are appropriate. Roses and other fragrant flowers are usually acceptable. Palm branches, other greens, or individual flowers may be placed on the grave. Be sure to check with a religious leader.
Jewish: Sending flowers to the funeral home or to the burial site is not usually done. Instead, fruit and food baskets may be sent to the home. Flowers are becoming more widely accepted, however, and it is becoming more common to adorn the synagogue foyer. The Orthodox Jews are not yet accepting these new customs.
The most common sympathy arrangements are the casket spray, a wreath, a stand-up spray, and a footed urn. Other arrangements include the casket pillow (which may be in the shape of a rectangle or a cross), a table arrangement, a flower garland, a rosary, a nosegay, an open Bible, a Madonna statue, a potted plant, a Masonic emblem, and anything else a florist can create.
Casket sprays can be made from all sorts of flowers from roses to carnations, and can be any color. Most people, however, prefer pastels for a woman and darker colors for a man. Probably the most popular casket spray of all times is the one made with white carnations and freesias with a background of ferns and ivy. My favorite is the spray made with large white florist mums and red rose buds.
