Sending flowers after someone passes away is one of the most thoughtful and meaningful ways to express love, support, and sympathy. But with so many options, many people find themselves wondering: what’s the difference between funeral flowers and sympathy flowers?
Although both serve as heartfelt gestures, they differ in purpose, presentation, and timing. In this blog, we’ll explain how these two types of floral arrangements are used and help you choose the most appropriate option based on your relationship to the family and the deceased.
What Are Funeral Flowers?
Funeral flowers are floral arrangements specifically intended for display during the funeral service, memorial, or burial. These flowers are usually sent to the funeral home, crematorium, church, or gravesite and are often chosen by close family, friends, or colleagues of the deceased.
Common funeral arrangements include:
- Casket sprays (placed directly on the casket)
- Standing wreaths or hearts (placed near the coffin or podium)
- Crosses and large sheafs designed for ceremonial display
These arrangements are generally more formal and designed to be seen by everyone attending the service.
What Are Sympathy Flowers?
Sympathy flowers, on the other hand, are sent directly to the family’s home or workplace—either before or after the funeral. These are intended to comfort the bereaved personally and privately. Unlike funeral flowers, sympathy arrangements are often more modest, soft in appearance, and suitable for display in the home.
They can include:
- Vase arrangements
- Hand-tied bouquets
- Potted plants or flowers in baskets
Sympathy flowers are appropriate from friends, extended relatives, neighbours, or co-workers who may not attend the service but want to show they care.
Key Differences Between Funeral and Sympathy Flowers
Though both express heartfelt condolences, there are several important distinctions between the two:
1. Purpose and Setting
The main difference lies in their intended setting:
- Funeral flowers are meant for public tribute during the ceremony or memorial.
- Sympathy flowers are designed to offer private comfort to the grieving family in their own space.
For those planning a public arrangement for the service, it’s helpful to explore appropriate options for funeral flowers that suit the tone and setting of the occasion.
2. Delivery Location
- Funeral flowers are sent to the funeral venue—such as a chapel, funeral home, or cemetery.
- Sympathy flowers are sent to the family’s home or sometimes to their workplace.
Including full service details and the name of the deceased ensures proper delivery for funeral arrangements.
3. Size and Style
- Funeral arrangements tend to be larger and more structured, with designs that are visible from a distance.
- Sympathy flowers are typically smaller, softer, and less formal, intended for more intimate surroundings.
4. Timing
- Funeral flowers are usually sent before or on the day of the service.
- Sympathy flowers can be sent at any time—immediately after the passing, during the week of the funeral, or even several weeks later as a gesture of continued support.
When Should You Send Each Type?
If you’re part of the immediate family or were very close to the deceased, you may want to contribute to the ceremony itself by sending funeral flowers. If you’re a friend, colleague, or someone who cannot attend the service, sympathy flowers offer a respectful way to show you care.
Sending sympathy flowers after the funeral is not only appropriate—it can be a beautiful way to let someone know you’re still thinking of them in the weeks that follow.
Tips for Choosing the Right Flowers
- Respect cultural or religious preferences—some traditions prefer no flowers at all
- Stick to classic colours like white, cream, soft pinks, and purples for a respectful tone
- Include a personal card message with your arrangement (e.g. “With heartfelt sympathy” or “In loving memory”)
- Consult with a florist if you’re unsure what to choose—they can guide you based on the occasion
Takeaways
Both funeral flowers and sympathy flowers are powerful ways to express compassion during a time of loss. The difference comes down to setting, intention, and timing. While funeral flowers honour the life of the deceased in a public way, sympathy flowers extend comfort to the grieving in their own space.
No matter which you choose, your gesture will be appreciated more than you know.