What to Write on Funeral Flowers and Sympathy Cards

Comforting someone in grief is a challenging task. While you cannot erase their pain, there are ways to provide solace and ease the burden they carry. Sending a sympathy card or flowers is a meaningful gesture to console someone who is grieving. Our guide provides examples of sympathy card messages, helping you choose the right words to provide comfort to those in mourning. We also offer advice on which funeral flowers to choose and their meanings.

How to Navigate Grief Conversation

Hearing the news that someone has passed away is never easy. Sometimes, to help others feel less isolated, getting comfortable with the uncomfortable is essential.

To create a safe space for those experiencing grief, acknowledging the situation can make them feel seen and heard. Whilst acknowledging that cannot fix everything.

Here are a few ideas of what to write in a sympathy card or on funeral flowers for the family:

Simple and traditional messages for funeral flowers

• In loving memory.
• Forever in our thoughts.
• May you rest in peace.
• Loved and remembered.
• Gone but never forgotten.
• With love and fond memories.
• Always in my / our heart(s).
• Sleep peacefully.

Longer funeral flower messages

• You brought joy, happiness, and laughter to everyone who met you; everyone will miss you dearly.
• Loss leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.
• May the road rise to meet you and the wind always be at your back.
• The world’s best and most beautiful things cannot be seen or touched – they must be felt with the heart.
• Time may pass and fade away, but memories of you will always stay.
• Many friends come into our lives, but only a few leave with their footprints on our hearts.
• A person who departs on this earth never truly leaves, for they are still alive in our hearts and minds – through us, they live on.

Religious sympathy card ideas

• Ours is just a simple prayer. May God bless and keep you in His care.
• God is with you.
• Rest in peace.
• A silent thought, a quiet prayer, for a special person in God’s care.
• May you rest in peace in God’s heaven.
• In God’s arms, may you gently rest.

What to Write on Funeral Flowers Card for Dad or Mum

• Mum/Dad, you were hugely loved by all. You will be greatly missed.
• You were the best Mum/Dad. I/We will never forget you.
• Mum/Dad, you gave me the best life. Rest peacefully.
• Your happiness and love will remain in our hearts.
• Thank you for all you did for me/us. You’ll forever live on in my heart.
• You were the most caring and loving mother/father in the world.

What to Write on Funeral Flowers for Husband or Wife

If you are finding it hard after the death of your partner , it is not always easy to put into words how you feel. Here are some ways that you can share a personal message.

• Forever in my heart, until we meet again.
• In your embrace, I found my home.
• Your love remains etched in my soul.
• Thank you for a lifetime of cherished memories.
• Your presence brought light to my world.
• Rest peacefully, my beloved.
• You were my rock, my guiding light.
• Though apart, our love endures.
• Your spirit will forever guide me.
• In loving memory of my cherished husband.
• You were my greatest joy, my truest love.
• Your love transformed my life. Forever grateful.
• Our love story will never fade, even in death.
• In your absence, I carry our love with me.
• Your legacy of love will live on in our hearts.
• I am forever grateful for the time we shared.
• With every beat of my heart, I remember you.
• Thank you for being my soulmate and best friend.
• Your love was the greatest gift of my life.
• Until we reunite, may you rest in eternal peace.

What to Write on Funeral Flowers for Grandma or Grandad

• Gone but never forgotten.
• Grandma/Grandad, you were loved by all. You will be greatly missed.
• You made the world a brighter place. You will be dearly missed.
• Grandma/Grandad, though we grieve for you now, your memory will forever live on in our hearts.
• I am thinking of you always.
• With love and fond memories.
• Always in my heart.
• ‘Til we meet again.
• Forever in our thoughts.

How to End a Sympathy Card

Sometimes, knowing how to end a sympathy card can be hard. Here are some ways to sign off your message.

• You’re in our thoughts, always.
• Lots of love.
• Wishing you peace.
• With caring thoughts.
• Thinking of you.
• In caring sympathy.
• With our deepest condolences.

What Funeral Flowers Should I Buy?

Sometimes, not everything we want to say can be shared in a sympathy card. It is equally caring to send a bouquet with a shorter funeral message to show your loved one they are in your thoughts.

The history of giving flowers is an act of love and affection without having to “say” anything. Giving flowers is a respectful tribute, but if you want to send something appropriate, personal, or in line with the most common flowers for a funeral, here is an overview of the language of flowers to aid you in picking the perfect bouquet.

What Flower Represents Grief?

There is not necessarily one flower that represents grief. However, a range of flowers are commonly seen at funerals. For example, these may be red roses, chrysanthemums, or lilies. You can opt for a more personal arrangement or a general mix of flowers for versatility and a range of meanings to honour the deceased.

What Flower is Best for a Funeral?

Chrysanthemums
One of the most popular funeral flowers is the chrysanthemum. The meaning behind these flowers varies depending on the country. For example, people in Asian countries such as Korea and Japan view the chrysanthemum as a symbol of death and grief. In the UK, chrysanthemums are seen as a symbol of truth. Regardless of where you live, this is an excellent choice for funeral flowers and is often included in floral arrangements with other popular flowers.

Roses
Roses are among the most popular funeral flowers, representing love, happiness, hope, and new beginnings. A single-stem red rose or bouquet of roses, alongside an assortment of colours that match the deceased’s personality, is the perfect tribute to honour them.

White roses express reverence, innocence, and youthfulness; red roses convey respect, love and courage; pink roses signify gratitude, love, grace and gentility; crimson roses denote grief and sorrow; and yellow represents friendship.

Lillies
Dating back to the Greek and Roman times, the lily symbolises purity, later transcending into sublime love, procreation, and accolades. Throughout history, the meaning of Lilies has marginally shifted. However, they have always been shown as a sign of respect and peace. Lilies represent the restored innocence of the soul of the departed, majesty and purity.

Carnations
Carnations represent devotion and remembrance. White carnations convey pure love and innocence; red carnations represent admiration; and pink carnations exemplify remembrance. If the deceased was Catholic or Christian, it may be appropriate to send pink carnations because it is believed that the Virgin Mary created these flowers with her tears.

Gerbera
Gerbera is an ideal, traditional flower to show sympathy at a funeral, representing innocence and purity. Plus, this funeral flower is appropriate for friends, family, and those who want to show their sign of respect through a formal approach, widely associated with funerals.

Unique Funeral Flowers for Remembrance

Gladioli
The name Gladioli stems from “Gladiator”. Tall and majestic, gladioli convey strength of character, moral integrity, and sincerity. The Gladioli is a unique, beautiful choice if you are researching flowers that signify remembrance, love, and fondness.

Orchids
Pink and white are traditional orchid colours used to express one’s sympathy and typically represent eternal love. Phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids are generally the most appropriate orchids used as sympathy flowers.

Violets
These were used throughout literature, including in Shakespeare’s Ophelia, to symbolise a death that came too soon. If a loved one passes away unexpectedly at a young age, you may find that violets can symbolise the emotions you want to display.

Forget Me Nots
Forget-me-nots make a poignant choice for funeral flowers as they symbolize enduring love, remembrance, and a connection that transcends the passage of time. Their delicate, blue blossoms carry a profound message of loyalty and everlasting memories, offering a meaningful tribute to the departed.

Camellia
Camellia flowers are breathtakingly beautiful because of their delicate petals and elegance. This flower symbolises perfection, refinement, and excellence. It is ideal for the funerals of those you admire or genuinely respect. The camellia flower reflects everlasting devotion, and the white camellia is often found at many symbolic events, including funerals and weddings.

How Long Should You Wait to Order Flowers for the Funeral?

Funeral flowers signify respect and are often sent as a warm gesture to convey many emotions and thoughts. The funeral flowers are often arranged inside the venue before the service and should be ordered at least 48 hours before the funeral.

If you would like to send a gesture such as flowers or a sympathy card, it is etiquette to send these to the bereaved person’s home days or weeks before the funeral to show that you are there for them during this upsetting time.

Depending on whether the service is a burial or cremation, the funeral flowers may be displayed slightly differently. If your loved one has been cremated, the funeral flowers will usually be laid for a few days post-service. However, the funeral director will lay the flowers on the grave if the service is a burial. Bringing flowers directly to a funeral on the day is not standard or etiquette. However, the preferences may have been outlined beforehand via the bereaved person/s.

How We Can Help

If you find yourself in need of assistance for planning a funeral, rest assured, we are here to support you. Regardless of your circumstances or inquiries about funeral arrangements, trust us to guide you through all the necessary details. With a variety of funeral plans available, we aim to alleviate the worry and potential financial burden for your loved ones in the future. Learn more about our services and what to do in the unfortunate event of someone’s passing.