Flowers are a beautiful way to pay respect to a deceased person and to honor their life and accomplishments. The variety of flowers and arrangement styles available can sometimes make it difficult for a mourner to find just the right piece. Below, discover a few aspects to keep in mind as you shop for funeral service flowers so you can be sure to identify the perfect arrangement.

What to Keep in Mind When Selecting Funeral Flowers

1. Relationship

What is your relationship to the deceased? In most cases, people closest to the departed send more elaborate arrangements. It is usually family members and close friends who send casket sprays, stand-supported displays, and wreaths. 

More casual friends, acquaintances, and colleagues send smaller arrangements, like bouquets in vases or baskets or modest houseplants. If you're unsure where to start with the flower selection, think about your relationship to the deceased and choose an arrangement that reflects the closeness of that connection.

2. Type of Service

Read the obituary to see what type of funeral service the deceased will have. If it is a traditional funeral, flower arrangements are typically larger and more ornate and are delivered directly to the funeral home. If it is a memorial in which the body of the deceased will not be present, or if only the cremains will be present, flowers are more understated and are often sent to the home of the deceased's family.

3. Religion

Different religions have different attitudes toward flowers at funeral services. The flowers at Protestant funerals are often colorful and diverse, while those at Catholic funerals tend to be more somber and reserved. 

In the Jewish faith, flowers are generally not a part of funerals. In Buddhism, white flowers are normal, and red flowers can seem garish or in poor taste. If you don't know the correct protocol, contact a religious leader of the deceased's faith and ask for their input.

When you need to plan or preplan a funeral, trust Fossum Funeral Home. Since 1926, they have been serving families throughout La Crosse and the Onalaska, WI, region. They provide comprehensive funeral, memorial, burial, and cremation services designed to meet your needs and preferences and pay respectful tribute to the life you've lost. Call (608) 783-9777 or visit them online to schedule a consultation.