Sympathy Flowers & Plants

Choosing Condolence Flowers and Plants

Condolence flowers, or a plant, sent with a little note, can be a lovely way to let someone know you are thinking of them. They can help to convey feelings at a time when words can be hard to find.

What flowers or plant you choose may be guided by a number of factors, including:

• Your relationship to the person who has died or to the bereaved
• Whether you would like a potted plant or cut flowers
• The price – do you have a budget?
• Whether you would like to personalise the tribute
• Which colours are most suitable or what that colour represents

Inspiration for Condolence and Sympathy Flowers

Sympathy flowers are floral arrangements to express condolences, support and comfort to someone who is grieving. They are usually sent to a family home, or to the funeral or memorial service to pay tribute to the person who has died. Choosing the right flowers can sometimes feel daunting, but most florists will happily help you with your choice.

Locally Grown & Eco-friendly Flowers

There are a growing number of florists throughout the UK offering locally grown and environmentally-friendly flowers for funerals, celebrations of life, and sympathy gifts. These forward-looking florists take steps to be as eco-friendly as possible, using paper and cardboard for packaging, no foam (unless biodegradable), and only plastic if it is plant based and compostable.

Hand Tied Bouquets

Hand tied bouquets are a type of floral bouquet where the stems are carefully arranged and tied together with ribbon or twine, rather than placed in floral foam or a basket. They are designed to be easily placed in a vase. Bouquets can be sent to family and friends, or to colleagues and acquaintances.

Basket Bouquets

Basket bouquets are floral arrangements placed in a decorative basket, making them a practical and elegant way to express condolences. Unlike most bouquets they do not require a vase which makes it easy for the recipient to display them. They are usually arranged in floral foam (you can get biodegradable floral foam) to keep the flowers fresh so they last for longer.

Vase Arrangements

These are pre-arranged floral bouquets that are ready to be placed straight in to a vase, making them a convenient and thoughtful choice for a sympathy gift. Some florists can send a glass, ceramic, or decorative vase with the flowers.

Posy Bouquets

These are floral arrangements that only contain one type of flower making a simple yet elegant tribute. They are often focused on the symbolism and beauty of the single flower.

Letterbox Flowers

These are specifically designed flower arrangements that are packaged to fit through a letterbox, making them a convenient option for sending flowers when the recipient may not be home to accept the delivery. They are carefully arranged and packaged in a slim box, before blooming, ensuring the flowers arrive in perfect condition.

Inspiration for Condolence Plants and Trees

Memorial Trees

Each species of tree has a slightly different feel and some have specific symbolic meanings. The tree you choose may depend on the size of the space or garden of the person you are sending it to, or the character of the person whose life is being honoured and remembered. You can choose a tree from a local garden centre or there companies that can deliver a tree, or a memorial tree hamper, for you together with a personalised message.

Plants & Bushes

There are many types of sympathy plants to choose from, all with different colours, scents and meanings. The person whose life you are commemorating may have had a favourite flower or colour.

It is worth considering where the plant may be located. If someone doesn’t have a garden, an orchid plant may be a good choice. For outside, depending on the soil type and how ‘green fingered’ the recipient is, you may wish to choose a more hardy plant.

Remembrance Wildflower Seed Packets

Wildflower seed packets can be placed on a memory table or handed out at a funeral or celebration of life. Family and friends can create their own wildflower memorial garden, a place to reflect and remember. To find out more, please go to the Inspiration section for Wildflower Memorial Seeds.

Find helpful Information About Supporting Someone Who Is Grieving

If you would like information about supporting someone who is grieving, please go to the  Supporting Someone Who is Grieving.

Or for information about planning a funeral, celebration of life, or memorial service, please see whiteballoon’s Funeral Planning Information.

Find Condolence Flowers & Plants Suppliers in the whiteballoon Community

If you would like to find suppliers of condolence flowers & plants, or flowers for a funeral or celebration of life, please go to Flower & Plants.