While it’s not always easy to know what to say to a person who has lost a loved one, a gift of flowers is an expression of thoughtfulness that brings both comfort to the family and natural beauty to a sad occasion.
Sympathy flowers have been given to grieving families for centuries to convey heartfelt emotions, to let them know that others are thinking of them as they experience their loss, and to convey love, respect and support.
Sometimes we would like to offer personal condolences but are confused about whether to visit or not to visit the family. A bouquet or an arrangement of beautiful flowers sends a message of sympathy without being intrusive and your flowers and message will provide a subtle comfort to those who are grieving the loss of someone they dearly loved.
Yesterday when I delivered sympathy flowers to an Alstonville family who very recently lost a husband and dad, I saw the sadness and also saw their comfort in knowing that someone else was recognising their grief.
Sometimes of our customers choose to offer their personal condolences when they first hear of the bereavement and send flowers a few weeks later. The funeral is over, family may have gone back to their homes, and while things may have settled down the sense of loss is likely to be intense. Your gift of flowers at this time will let them know you are thinking of them ... and may be familiar with the path they are travelling.
Green and white are traditional colours for sympathy floral designs with the white flowers representing elegance, reverence, purity and eternal love; and evergreen foliage representing the victory of the eternal spirit over death.
Pink flowers are another popular choice with their meaning of admiration, appreciation, thoughtfulness and love.
Sometimes bright colours are chosen to convey encouragement and hope, particularly if the family have lost someone who had a bright, cheerful character.
Colours for sympathy flowers are really a personal choice, and our suggestion would be to choose a colour that seems right to you.
There are a few choices available with the most popular being a bouquet of flowers in a vase or an arrangement of flowers in a box or ceramic container that can be easily displayed on a coffee table, or feature area in the home.
While there are many different options for funeral service flowers, wreaths have been used since ancient times to represent the circle of life.
Other popular designs are tall arrangements or sheafs of flowers which can be displayed at the front of the ceremony setting.
When I was delivering flowers to Wollongbar recently, I heard an interview with Michelle Moriarty on ABC radio. Michelle was the winner of the WA Rural Woman’s Award for 2023 , and following the unexpected death of her husband, became a grief coach.
Michelle recommends asking someone “How are you travelling?” rather than “How are you?" This gives the person a number of options when answering rather than requiring an often painful, personal response.
If you would like to hear the interview, here's the link Michelle Moriarty - the right words in sad situations
This led me to think about the messages people ask us to write on the cards we deliver with sympathy flowers.
Bearing in mind Michelle’s words, when you’re writing a card message to go with your flowers we suggest you keep it simple and include a few personal words.
Alstonville Florist delivers flowers to our local communities of Alstonville and Wollongbar, and provides twice daily flower deliveries to Ballina, Goonellabah and Lismore. We also provide daily flower deliveries to Lennox Head, Bangalow and Evans head and most locations in between such as Suffolk Park, Wardell, Pearces Creek, Meerschaum Vale and Alstonvale. We deliver to most addresses in the Northern Rivers, including churches and cemeteries.
We also deliver to funeral services throughout the Northern Rivers, and work closely with Guardian Funerals in Ballina, Simplicity Funerals in Lismore and Parkview Funerals in Goonellabah and Ballina.
If we can be of assistance, if you have questions or would like advice about the most appropriate sympathy flowers or funeral floral tribute, please get in touch.
It would be our privilege to help you at this time.
Alstonville Florist