A Gentle Guide to Choosing Sympathy & Funeral Flowers in NYC
Choosing sympathy or funeral flowers is something most of us do only a handful of times in life. In New York—a city with many cultural traditions, religious practices and fast-paced logistics—sending the right flowers at the right time can feel overwhelming. This guide is designed to bring clarity, calm and confidence, offering helpful suggestions on what to send, when to send it, and how to honour someone meaningfully.
If you ever feel unsure, you can contact our team directly at info@alaricflowers.com or call 212.308.3794. You will always speak to a real florist who understands the sensitivity of these moments.
What Makes Sympathy and Funeral Flowers Different?
Sympathy flowers and funeral flowers serve related but distinct purposes:
- Funeral flowers are sent to the service—usually arranged at a chapel, funeral home, synagogue, church or crematorium.
- Sympathy flowers are sent to the home, office or shiva house to comfort the family in the days or weeks after the service.
Both are meaningful gestures. Choosing the right type depends on your relationship to the family and where the flowers will be seen.
When Should Funeral Flowers Be Delivered?
In New York City, traffic, building access and timing of services all matter. As a general guideline:
- Flowers for a funeral service should arrive 1–2 hours before the service begins.
- For early morning services, delivery the previous day is often preferred by funeral homes.
- Sympathy flowers for the home can be sent anytime before or after the service, including days or weeks later.
At Alaric Sympathy, we coordinate directly with the funeral home to ensure that tributes arrive well before guests. This is one reason why many families prefer specialist florists over national ordering websites or supermarkets, which often cannot guarantee precise timing.
What Type of Flowers Should I Send?
There is no single “correct” flower, but some blooms have become traditional across many cultures:
- Lilies – peace, purity and restored innocence
- White roses – honour and remembrance
- Orchids – lasting love and elegance
- Hydrangea – heartfelt emotion and gratitude
- Chrysanthemums – a symbol of mourning in many European and Asian cultures
The most meaningful arrangement is often the one that reflects the personality or favourite colours of the person being remembered. We can tailor designs to create something truly personal and fitting.
Choosing the Right Arrangement
Here is a simple guide to which pieces are typically sent, depending on your relationship:
From Immediate Family
- Casket spray
- Large standing sprays
- Wreaths or hearts
From Extended Family, Close Friends or Colleagues
- Standing sprays
- Wreaths or crosses
- Larger vase arrangements
For Home or Shiva Visits
- Vase arrangements
- Hand-tied bouquets
- Plants (orchids, peace lilies, hydrangea)
If you are unsure what is appropriate, simply share the relationship and setting with us, and we will guide you.
How Much Should I Spend?
New York City has a wide range of floral options. At Alaric Sympathy, our pricing reflects premium flowers, experienced design and careful funeral-home coordination. Typical ranges include:
- Hand-tied bouquets – $125 – $300
- Vase arrangements – $150 – $350
- Standing sprays – $300 – $650+
- Wreaths and hearts – $350 – $800+
- Casket sprays – $400 – $950+
- Custom tributes – from $500+
There is no obligation to choose a particular size. A thoughtful gesture can be modest or substantial—what matters is sincerity.
Understanding the “3:5:8 Rule”
Google often suggests the question: “What is the 3:5:8 rule for flowers?” This is a guideline occasionally used in everyday floral arranging to create visual balance using groups of three, five or eight elements.
For funeral and sympathy designs, however, florists focus less on counting stems and more on:
- Proportion of the tribute
- Harmony of colours and textures
- The space in which the flowers will be viewed
- The meaning the family wants to convey
Funeral work is about feeling, not formulas.
Why It Helps to Speak to a Real Florist in NYC
Sympathy flowers are deeply personal. When you order from Alaric Sympathy, you speak directly with a florist who understands:
- How to coordinate precisely with funeral homes
- The timings and constraints of NYC traffic and venues
- Religious sensitivities (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, non-religious)
- How to design for intimate apartment spaces or larger chapels
- The tone and feeling you want to convey
Large “order-gathering” websites or supermarket services often cannot offer:
- Custom designs
- Exact delivery timing
- Careful communication with the funeral home
- Consistency in quality
This is why many families prefer speaking to a real florist who will honour their wishes fully and with care.
Sending Flowers From Outside the U.S.
We work with clients all over the world who send flowers to New York. You can order online or email us if the time difference makes calling difficult. We recommend noting that same-day delivery cut-off is based on New York time.
Need Guidance? We Are Here to Help.
If you don’t know what to send, or are unsure what is appropriate culturally or religiously, we are here to guide you gently. Share whatever details you have—no matter how small—and we will help you choose something beautiful, respectful and fitting.
Explore our collections or contact us directly for personal assistance.
View Funeral Flowers (Link Placeholder)