FTD Funeral Flowers: The Definitive Guide to Choosing, Ordering, and Sending Sympathy Tributes

The Comfort of Condolence: Understanding FTD and Funeral Tributes

In moments of profound loss, expressing sympathy requires both sensitivity and timeliness. Funeral flowers serve as a timeless, visual expression of respect, love, and support for the grieving family. However, when you are far away, or pressed for time, ensuring your chosen tribute arrives perfectly can feel daunting.

This is where FTD (Florists’ Transworld Delivery) steps in. As one of the most established and trusted floral networks globally, FTD connects customers with local florists who understand the specific requirements, urgency, and etiquette surrounding funeral arrangements. This guide provides a deep dive into leveraging the FTD network to select, order, and send the most fitting sympathy flowers, ensuring your gesture of comfort is delivered with dignity and care.

The FTD Advantage: Reliability in Times of Need

Choosing a reliable delivery method is paramount when dealing with time-sensitive events like funerals. The FTD network offers distinct advantages that set it apart in the realm of sympathy arrangements.

The Power of Local Floristry Through a Global Network

Unlike national box-shipping services, FTD operates by routing your order directly to an approved, vetted local florist near the funeral home or service location. This system guarantees several key benefits:

• Freshness and Quality: Local florists use locally sourced flowers, ensuring maximum freshness and longevity for the tribute.
• Speed and Same-Day Service: Because the flowers are prepared and delivered locally, FTD often facilitates same-day delivery—a critical necessity for funeral services.
• Local Etiquette Expertise: Local FTD florists are familiar with the specific rules, delivery windows, and security procedures of nearby funeral homes and places of worship, reducing the risk of logistical errors.
• Customization and Flexibility: If a specific flower is unavailable, the local florist can quickly communicate substitution options that maintain the arrangement’s overall integrity and sentiment.

FTD vs. Mass Market Retailers

When selecting funeral flowers, the difference often comes down to care and consistency. FTD prioritizes the solemn nature of the delivery. While some mass-market retailers may offer lower prices, they may compromise on the size, quality, or timely arrival required for a formal funeral service. FTD’s reputation hinges on delivering arrangements that meet the high standards expected for such meaningful occasions.

Choosing the Perfect FTD Funeral Arrangement: Etiquette and Meaning

Funeral arrangements come in many forms, and understanding the appropriate style, size, and type of tribute based on your relationship with the deceased is essential.

Understanding Arrangement Styles and Placement

The type of arrangement you choose often dictates where it will be placed during the service. FTD offers several categories of sympathy florals:

Standing Sprays and Wreaths

These large, vertical arrangements are displayed on an easel near the casket or urn. They are designed to make a significant visual impact and are usually sent by immediate family, close friends, or large groups/organizations (like corporate teams or clubs).

• Wreaths: Symbolize eternal life and the circle of eternity.
• Crosses and Hearts: Express faith and enduring love.
• Casket Sprays: These are reserved exclusively for the immediate family, placed directly on the casket, and are not purchased by friends or colleagues.

Basket and Vase Arrangements

These are smaller, more portable tributes suitable for display around the viewing room, entrance, or reception area. They are the most common choice for friends, colleagues, and extended family members. Because they are often easy for the family to transport afterward, they are very popular.

Sympathy Plants and Dish Gardens

Plants offer an enduring remembrance that the family can take home and nurture. They symbolize the continuation of life. Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum) are the most traditional choice, signifying deep sympathy and serenity.

The Language of Flowers: Symbolism in Sympathy

The selection of specific flowers and colors conveys specific sentiments. FTD florists are experts in this floral language, ensuring your tribute is meaningful.

Rule of Thumb for Color: While bright colors are sometimes appropriate to celebrate a life well-lived, classic white, soft pastels, and deep greens remain the safest and most traditional color palettes for funeral services.

Navigating the FTD Ordering and Delivery Protocol

Successfully sending flowers via FTD requires providing precise information to ensure the timely arrival of the tribute before the viewing or service begins.

Critical Information Required for Funeral Delivery

When placing an FTD order for a funeral, accuracy is non-negotiable. Always have the following details confirmed before ordering:

1. The Full Name of the Deceased.
2. The Exact Name and Address of the Funeral Home, Church, or Service Location. (Do not use a personal address unless sending post-service sympathy flowers.)
3. The Date and Time of the Viewing or Service. The delivery must be scheduled to arrive hours before the first scheduled event.
4. The Name of the Closest Surviving Family Member (For the delivery card and confirmation, if needed).
5. The Funeral Home’s Contact Phone Number. (The local FTD florist may need to call to confirm delivery windows.)

The Importance of Timing and Same-Day Logistics

Most funeral homes prefer arrangements to arrive several hours before the first viewing. If you miss this window, your flowers may be excluded from the main display. FTD excels at meeting these tight deadlines, provided the order is placed early in the day (usually before 1 PM local time).

If you are ordering less than 24 hours out, always choose FTD arrangements specifically marked as eligible for same-day delivery and consider calling the local florist directly after ordering to confirm logistics.

Delivering to the Home vs. the Service Location

For immediate funeral tributes (sprays, crosses), delivery must be made directly to the funeral home or service location. Sending large, formal arrangements to a private residence can burden the family, who then must transport it to the service. Smaller vase arrangements and sympathy plants are appropriate for delivery to the family home after the services have concluded, offering comfort during the following weeks.

The Power of Words: Crafting the Condolence Card Message

The floral tribute speaks volumes, but the accompanying card provides the personal touch. Keep the message concise, heartfelt, and sincere. FTD provides options for card messages, but personalized notes are always best.

Etiquette for Sympathy Messages

• Keep it Brief: Space is limited on a traditional floral card.
• Identify Yourself: Clearly state your name or the group sending the flowers (e.g., “The Smith Family,” or “Your colleagues at ABC Inc.”).
• Avoid Clichés: Focus on genuine emotion rather than generic phrases.
• Acknowledge the Loss: Express grief and offer support.

Example Card Messages

For a close friend: “Our hearts are broken for your loss. [Deceased’s Name] brought so much joy to our lives. Sending all our love and strength.”

For a colleague/acquaintance: “Please accept our deepest sympathies during this difficult time. Thinking of you and your family.”

From a group: “With deepest respect and condolences on the passing of your loved one. Sent on behalf of [Group Name].”

Beyond Flowers: When Alternatives are Necessary

While flowers are traditional, certain circumstances may call for an alternative tribute. FTD also offers sympathy gifts, but the most important consideration is respecting the family’s wishes.

Respecting Family Requests and Religious Customs

Always check the obituary or death notice first. If the family requests “In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to [Charity],” it is crucial to respect this request. While a small floral tribute may still be appropriate, a larger financial donation should take precedence.

Religious Considerations:

In certain religious traditions (including traditional Jewish, Muslim, and Orthodox ceremonies), flowers may be discouraged or prohibited. In these instances, consider sending fruit baskets, food, or charitable donations instead. If in doubt, contacting the funeral home or a close family member is the most respectful approach.

Enduring Tributes: Sympathy Plants and Memorial Gardens

As noted earlier, plants like Peace Lilies or lush green dish gardens (available via FTD) offer a lasting memory. They serve as a constant reminder of support long after the funeral service is over. Unlike cut flowers, which are temporary, a plant represents hope and renewal, making it an excellent post-service sympathy gift for the family residence.

Conclusion: A Seamless Way to Show You Care

The process of sending funeral flowers is an emotional one, and FTD’s reliable network is designed to remove the logistical burdens during this sensitive time. By choosing FTD, you are selecting a service dedicated to quality, timeliness, and deep respect for the occasion.

From choosing a meaningful standing spray of white lilies to ensuring a delicate vase arrangement arrives hours before the viewing, FTD connects your heartfelt sympathy directly to the recipient with professional grace. When the right tribute matters most, trusting the FTD network ensures your expression of support is beautiful, appropriate, and delivered exactly when it is needed. Use the guidelines above to plan your tribute, confirm the service details, and confidently place your order today, offering comfort and remembrance to those who mourn.