(NAPS)—When a friend, family member or co-worker experiences a loss, it can be hard to know what to say, but just about any acknowledgment of sympathy is better than nothing.
Here are helpful tips:
Funeral Etiquette in Different Religions
According to the experts at 1-800-Flowers.com, which handles nearly a million funeral and sympathy orders a year, it’s best to keep in mind the religion of the mourners while you prepare to offer your condolences and support.
For Roman Catholic or certain other Christian funeral services, including Mormon, you can honor the deceased by visiting the funeral home during scheduled visiting hours and sending sympathy flowers, cards and donations in the name of the deceased. One arrangement that’s a lovely choice features blue flowers to symbolize tranquility and white flowers to symbolize peace. A standing spray or floor basket is also a great choice.
Other religions for which sympathy flowers make an appropriate gift are Buddhist and Hindu.
For a Jewish funeral service, the funeral home hours are fewer, as the casket is usually buried within 24 hours. After the funeral, the immediate family sits shiva (mourning), usually for seven days. You may visit and offer your condolences; however, sympathy flowers are not appropriate. Instead, bring fruit, desserts and other nourishing food, such as the With Remembrance Kosher Fruit & Sweets Basket.
Flowers are also not appropriate for Muslim funeral traditions—opt for a gift of food instead.
Appropriate Gifts for the Home
After the funeral, you may want to send flowers or a gift to the home.
For close friends and family, a delicate floral arrangement can be heartwarming. An elegant all-white arrangement is a good choice, featuring one dozen fresh white roses paired with five calla lilies. It’s available in a white ceramic cylinder vase with embossed roses and a gold-framed cameo around the touching message “In memory of a life so beautifully lived.” It was designed exclusively by artist and author Sandra Magsamen.
For co-workers and friends, you may want to send a candle or picture frame.
Through its innovative assortment of flowers, plants, keepsakes and gourmet treats, 1-800-Flowers.com can be a valuable resource in times of sorrow as well as happiness. When the right words are hard to find, it can help you express your heartfelt sympathy.
For more expert advice or to order sympathy flowers and gifts, call 1-800- FLOWERS, go to 1800flowers.com/sympathy or visit a retail store. To find one nearby, visit florist.1800flowers.com.
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)