Express Your Sympathy with an Artificial Flower Arrangement

If you are considering sending flowers as a symbol of sympathy to honor a deceased friend or loved one, an artificial flower arrangement may be the best route to take; especially if the funeral will take place in a cold climate. Usually, cemetery officials allow floral arrangements to stay on display for two or three days after a burial, and live flowers won’t last more than several hours outdoors if the temperatures are too low. Also, the family of the departed has the option of keeping flowers after a funeral, and an artificial flower arrangement can be a timeless reminder of the sympathy of others long after the funeral ends. So which flowers are best for an artificial flower arrangement for a funeral? It’s important to consider the gender of the deceased. Of course, there are plenty of gender-neutral flowers to choose from, but if you want something that’s just right for a man or a woman, some blooms are especially appropriate. Pinks, lavenders, and yellows are popular choices for artificial flower arrangements honoring women. Feel free to choose highly stylized arrangements complete with ribbons and ornaments. For older women, traditional arrangements with carnations, lilies and roses are always a great choice. If the deceased is a younger woman, try a more modern design with calla lilies, tulips or hydrangeas. For men, look for flowers of bold colors. Red, blue, orange, green and white flowers are gender-neutral, and can be downright masculine in the right artificial flower arrangement. Simple designs are always a safe bet; those with a single flower type are best because they are uncluttered with no frills. Keep ribbons and ornaments to a minimum. If you’d rather not purchase funeral flowers under the confines of gender stereotypes, there are a number of options that may be more suitable. Consider a wildflower arrangement, with sunflowers, poppies and mums, a simple orchid arrangement. Not only are they acceptable across gender lines, these artificial arrangements aren’t typical funeral flowers. Survivors might be more likely to keep an arrangement as a decorative piece if it isn’t seen as a typical funeral flower. With these guidelines in mind, you are free to follow your instincts as you choose an artificial flower arrangement to honor your deceased friend or family member. Flowers are symbols of life, and celebrating a life well-lived just wouldn’t be the same without them. The only caveat is to heed any requests listed in the obituary or death notice. Some families prefer donations to a meaningful charity instead of flowers. This is especially true if the deceased battled cancer, heart disease, or some other malady in the time leading up to his or her death. These requests should be respected. Otherwise, use your judgment.