When there has been a death we all want to show our sympathy to the family and to commemorate the deceased. Flowers are a great way to do this, but what are the right flowers to send?

Here at chinaflower214 we recently became aware of how easily a misunderstanding can arise. We delivered a funeral tribute of a flower covered cushion to a bereaved family in England, ordered by someone in the United Arab Emirates. The family were taken aback when a funeral tribute arrived at their house on the day after the death of their husband and father. The date for the funeral had not yet been set and would be at least a week away.

They were upset and confused and almost did not look at the card. When they did all became clear. The sender was from a Muslim country where funerals take place within 24 hours. They accepted that the flowers were to show sympathy with the family, although not entirely appropriate in a home setting.

So care has to be taken what to send and to where. A simple rule is that wreaths and other funeral flower arrangements such as crosses, prayer books, hearts, initials are to accompany the coffin on its last journey and should mostly be sent to the funeral parlour. Bouquets are usually sent in sympathy to the family. Its best to choose subdued tones such white, cream or lilac for these.