Funeral vs Sympathy Flowers: What’s the Difference?
When choosing flowers during a time of loss, it’s common to wonder: is there a difference between funeral flowers and sympathy flowers?
The answer is yes — and understanding the distinction can help you choose the most appropriate tribute.
Funeral Flowers
Funeral flowers are typically sent directly to the service — funeral, wake, or memorial — and are designed to honour the person who has passed.
They often include large, formal displays such as:
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Casket sprays
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Standing wreaths (heart-shaped, round, or cross)
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Sheafs and structured arrangements
These tributes serve as a collective gesture of love and respect, gathered together by the funeral director for the family to keep.
Sympathy Flowers
Sympathy flowers are sent to the family or loved ones, usually at their home. They are designed to comfort the living and show ongoing support in the days and weeks after the service.
Because grieving families often receive many flowers, sympathy arrangements are usually delivered in their own water source or vase, making them practical and easy to manage.
Choosing the Right Option
If you’re attending the service or wish to honour the deceased directly, funeral flowers are most appropriate.
If you’re supporting a grieving friend, colleague, or family member, sending sympathy flowers to their home is often more personal and comforting. It shows them you’re thinking of them during such a difficult time.
Need help writing a heartfelt card? See our guide here.
A Voice from the Funeral Community
We asked Deana from Picaluna Funerals to share her reflections:
“I have certainly witnessed the genuine comfort particular flowers bring to people in grief. The type of flowers someone chooses often evoke memories with their loved one, or can be seen as ‘a sign’ when a particular flower appears.
I’ve also seen great comfort when families prepare native flowers themselves for natural burials where only natives and biodegradable materials are allowed. Many families are beginning to take the coffin spray home too (which I encourage, as most crematoriums discard the flowers). Choosing flowers that remind them of their loved one creates lasting connection.”
Browse Both Collections
Perfect Petals offers elegant, timely options for both settings. We’re here to help you express the right sentiment.