Choosing the right token of remembrance in times of grief provides comfort for those in mourning. However, selecting the right gift may prove difficult for the giver, who struggles with striking the right note. In this instance, the gift of greenery or a plant can be just the thing in these trying times. A plant is a lasting tribute to the one lost, as well as a daily reminder of the friendship and ongoing support for the family during their grief.

Sending a plant as an expression of sympathy is always the appropriate thing to do. Regardless of when you send your gift, either before or after the service, the family will be reminded of your and your concern for their well being. You can send the plants to the memorial service and wake or wait until afterward and send the plants to the family home. If you send the plants to the service, it is a traditional practice for family members to take the plants as keepsakes in remembrance of the day.

Nearly any kind of green or flowering plant is appropriate as a sympathy gift. The most popular to send is the peace lily or peace plant. This one plant will work well, if you don’t happen to know the deceased’s favored plants, or even if they had one.

If you’re in doubt about what kind of plant to select, ask your florist. Let them guide you to your selection. If you choose, let them make up a special arrangement for you to represent your feelings. A newly made arrangement will arrive fresh and beautiful when you decide to have it delivered.

Greenery brings a feeling of ongoing life and peace to a memorial service. The plants stand as a visible statement of sympathy and support for the grieving family. A green plant will work for any type of memorial service including visitations, cremations, celebrations as well as the traditional funeral service. After the service is over, the family can easily transport the plants home or to the after supper to adorn the dinner tables at the repast. A green plant given at the funeral can also be planted at the grave site, adding a living reminder for some time to come.

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Sending flowers after a loved one dies is a meaningful gesture to comfort those who grieve. The flowers provide a heartwarming tribute and will add some light to a sad time. Today’s funeral flower arrangements incorporate a wide variety of flowers and colors outside of what is considered traditional. From ancient times the language of flowers speaks to convey the feelings and emotions of those left behind.

Probably the most popular choice of flower for sympathy arrangements is the carnation. Carnations come in a wide variety of colors, with each color carrying a different meaning. For instance, red carnations evokes admiration, while white carnations stand for innocence. A pink carnation means remembrance.

The flower most commonly associated with funerals is the lily. Lilies are considered a symbol of the innocence that has been restored to the soul of the departed as it transitions. Different lilies mean different things. A white stargazer symbolizes sympathy while any other type of white lily expresses purity.

Chrysanthemums are used worldwide particularly as a symbol of death, grief and lamentation in Europe, Korea and Japan. White chrysanthemums are usually only seen during funerals for just this reason. Here in America, however, the white chrysanthemum means truth.

Gladioli characterize strength, character, sincerity and moral integrity. They come in many and varied brilliant colors and are often elegantly arranged in the floral sprays that sit beside the casket, usually on an easel or stand.

Roses are the most well known of flowers and are almost always incorporated in the funeral floral arrangements. A white rose evokes reverence, humility, innocence and youthfulness. Red roses denote respect, courage and love. A pink rose is the sign of grace, gentility and love.

Symbolizing eternity and immortality, the xeranthemum may not be considered a traditional choice to include but it is totally appropriate for sympathy flower arrangements. The same holds true for cyclamens, which mean “good-bye” and forget-me-nots, which carry their meaning in their name. A spray of marjoram brings comfort and consolation. Nasturtium celebrates patriotism and will work for veterans who have passed on.

But the best flowers of all regardless of what they have come to mean throughout the ages, are the flowers that were favored by the deceased. Arrangements in favorite flowers and or a monochromatic scheme filled vase with say all that need be said.

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When the funeral is over, what happens to the funeral flowers? Many are simply taken home, a few at a time by the bereaved to be pressed into books or bibles. Greenery is taken home to be nurtured by family members and friends. Most of the flowers are placed around the burial site or left on the ground nearby. However, there is another way to recycle the flowers. They can be donated to various places willing to accept them, to give pleasure to the living.

Some homeless shelters and soup kitchens are more than happy to accept the flowers. These organizations operate on a shoe string budget, nearly all of which goes into food and shelter. They have no money left over to decorate. So left over flowers could be used as table arrangements to brighten up the buffets and dining rooms. You can get a list of shelters from your local community action agency.

Big beautiful floral arrangements would be especially appreciated in local nursing homes by shut in seniors. Oversized floral decorations would work well in the chapel, dining room or the activity rooms where seniors gather to watch television, talk or play cards and games. Nursing homes are listed in the phone book. Call ahead first to make sure that your gift is welcome and that the center has room to display it.

Senior citizen centers are another possibility. These centers host dinners and dances and all kinds of activities where colorful flower arrangements would be appropriate. Most senior centers are also nonprofit and have very little if any money to expend on decorations and usually always will accept your donations.

Check with your church or a nearby church to inquire about local shut ins and seniors still living in their own homes. The religious facilities will have lists of the sick, elderly and shut in who would more than appreciate having fresh flowers to brighten their homes and bedrooms.

If you’re dealing with cut flowers, then prior to making your donations, go to a good will or discount hardware store to buy some cheap but colorful pots in which to create an arrangement. You can even incorporate a get well card or a card that expresses daily living sentiments to cheer up the recipients.

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Flowers are an integral part of the funeral and grieving process, in all cultures and throughout history. There are many ways to express one’s feelings through a variety of different arrangements and options. Some of the most popular types of arrangements include; easel sprays, fan shaped designs, and baskets.

The most popular flowers used in these kinds of arrangements include; roses, carnations, chrysanthemums, gladiolas, and lilies to name just a few. It is also completely appropriate to send a funeral arrangement made up of the deceased favorite flower or flowers. Most florists will be happy to create a specialized tribute mixing today’s stylish design themes, if you request it.

Many people choose a mixed flower bouquet design that looks as if it was picked right from the garden and placed in an elegant vase. Others prefer to use a single flower type for a more dramatic effect. It is also appropriate to send green and flowering plants that members of the family can take home to nurture and remember their loved one. There really is no right or wrong in this. It is your choice. Many people try to select a funeral arrangement that the family will most likely appreciate.

Funerals are no longer just dreary, depressing events. Today people tend to celebrate the life of their loved one, much like the parades and parties that accompany the dead in New Orleans. The sympathy flower arrangements can reflect this celebration of life with bright colors not normally associated with death and dying.

No matter what type of funeral, flowers are always a good choice, expressing respect and appreciation to all involved. And there is a functional reason behind floral arrangements. They add warmth and provide visible emotional support to the bereaved in their difficult time. If you want your funeral flower arrangement to stand out from the crowd, ask your florist to create something special that mirrors the personality of the deceased. If you know his or her favorite flower, then ask the florist to use it. Or, if you know the favorite color of the deceased, then have your arrangement made in a monochromatic color scheme using that color.

In light of today’s trend of cremation services, it is appropriate to send flowers when you know that the funeral will end in cremation. A tasteful floral tribute will add heart felt warmth to the service. If you’re not sure what is appropriate consult your florist. Your florist is the expert in these situations and will guide you step by step through your purchase if you so desire. There are many choices available for funeral flower arrangements, including; a wreath-symbolizing the circle of eternal life, a spray-designed to be viewed from side only like on an easel, a casket spray-an assortment that sits on top of the casket ordered by the family, and an inside piece-a small keepsake to place in the coffin.

Thinking to buy flowers? Visit our site: Toronto Flowers to order our flowers.