Frequently Asked Questions

We know that arranging sympathy and funeral flowers often happens at a difficult and emotional time. This page brings together answers to the questions we are most often asked about ordering, delivery, etiquette and choosing the right flowers in New York City.

If you do not see your question here, please contact us at info@alaricflowers.com or call 212.308.3794 and we will be glad to help.

Ordering and Delivery

Do you offer same day sympathy and funeral flower delivery in NYC?

Yes. We normally offer same day delivery across Manhattan for orders placed by approximately 2:00pm (New York time), subject to flower availability, courier schedules and weather conditions. For urgent or late orders, or for deliveries to Brooklyn and Queens, please call us so we can confirm what is possible.

Which areas do you deliver to?

We deliver to all of Manhattan south of 126th Street, including the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, Morningside Heights, south Harlem, Lincoln Square, Midtown East, Midtown West, Hell's Kitchen, Times Square, Chelsea, NoMad, Flatiron, Gramercy, Kips Bay, Murray Hill, Greenwich Village, West Village, Soho, Tribeca, the Lower East Side, East Village, the Financial District and Battery Park City.

We also serve selected Brooklyn neighborhoods along the East River and nearby, such as Brooklyn Heights, DUMBO, Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill, Downtown Brooklyn and Fort Greene, and parts of Queens including Long Island City and Astoria. Deliveries to Brooklyn and Queens carry a slightly higher delivery fee due to travel time.

When should funeral flowers be delivered?

Wherever possible, we aim to deliver funeral flowers one to two hours before the start of the service or visitation. This gives the funeral home or venue time to place arrangements properly before guests arrive.

For early morning services, we may deliver late the previous day with the funeral home's agreement. We will advise you on timing when you place your order and may contact the funeral home directly to confirm their preferred delivery window.

Can you deliver directly to funeral homes, chapels and synagogues?

Yes. We regularly deliver to funeral homes, chapels, churches, synagogues and crematoriums across our service area, as well as to private residences and offices for condolence visits. Whenever possible, we time deliveries to arrive well before the service or visitation begins.

Can you deliver to apartments and private homes in New York?

Yes. We deliver condolence bouquets, vase arrangements and plants to apartments and private homes throughout our service area. For buildings with a doorman, flowers are often left with reception. In walk-up or secure buildings, we may need to contact the recipient to gain access.

How do I send someone flowers in New York?

You can send flowers in New York in several ways. For sympathy and funeral tributes, we strongly recommend ordering through a specialist florist who understands how to coordinate with funeral homes, chapels and New York apartment buildings.

With Alaric Sympathy, you can order online, call us directly or email us with the details of the service or visit. You will speak to an experienced florist, and often the studio owner, who will make sure your wishes are understood, that the tribute is appropriate, and that delivery timing is carefully planned. Large national order-gathering services and bulk or supermarket providers are rarely able to offer this level of personal attention and timing, which is especially important for funeral work.

How far in advance should I place an order for a funeral?

If possible, placing your order 24 to 48 hours in advance allows us to secure specific flowers and plan the delivery calmly. However, we understand that arrangements are sometimes needed at short notice and we will always do our best to help, including same day options where possible.

Can I order from outside the United States to send flowers in NYC?

Yes. Many of our clients live overseas and send flowers to family, friends or colleagues in New York City. You can order online or contact us by email if you prefer. Prices are listed in US dollars and we recommend checking time zones when requesting same day delivery, as our cut off is based on New York time.

What information do you need when I place an order?

The most helpful details are:

• Date and time of the service or visit
• Full delivery address and name of the funeral home, chapel, synagogue, church or residence
• Name of the person being remembered (or pet, if for a pet memorial)
• Your relationship to the person or family
• Preferred colours, flowers or style, and anything to avoid
• The message for the card and how you would like your name to appear
• Your mobile number or best contact details in case we have any questions

What are your opening hours?

Our usual studio hours are:

Monday to Friday: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Saturday: 10:00am to 4:00pm
Sunday: 10:00am to 4:00pm 

With prior arrangement, we can often accommodate deliveries outside these hours for scheduled funeral and memorial services.

Sympathy and Funeral Etiquette

What is appropriate funeral flower etiquette?

Funeral flower etiquette varies by culture, religion and family preference, but in general:

• Immediate family typically chooses the casket spray and sometimes large standing sprays.
• Extended family, close friends and colleagues often send wreaths, standing sprays, hearts or larger arrangements to the service.
• Friends, neighbours and colleagues may send medium arrangements, bouquets or plants to the home, shiva house or office.
• If a family has requested “no flowers,” it is important to respect that and consider another gesture instead.

If you are unsure what is appropriate given your relationship to the person or family, we are happy to advise you.

What is the etiquette for condolence flowers?

Condolence flowers are usually sent to the family home or apartment, or sometimes to the office. A thoughtful vase arrangement, bouquet or plant is often suitable. Including a short, sincere card message is more important than writing something long.

If the family is receiving visitors over several days, such as during shiva, it can be appropriate to send flowers or plants a few days into the mourning period rather than only on the first day.

When should I send sympathy flowers?

Sympathy flowers can be sent before the funeral, on the day of the service, or in the days and weeks afterwards. Arrangements sent directly to the service are usually larger ceremonial pieces. Flowers sent to the home are often more intimate in scale and style, and can be a gentle reminder of support once the initial intensity has passed.

Is it ever wrong to send flowers?

There are a few situations where flowers may not be appropriate. Some traditions may prefer donations in lieu of flowers. Families sometimes specify “family flowers only” or request that only certain types of tributes be sent. If you are unsure, it is always acceptable to check with a close family member, the funeral home, or with us and we will help you interpret the guidance.

Flower Types, Meanings and the 3:5:8 Rule

What is the most appropriate flower for a funeral?

There is no single “correct” flower for a funeral, but some classic choices include:

• Lilies for peace and restored innocence
• White roses for respect, honour and remembrance
• Orchids for enduring love and elegance
• Hydrangea for heartfelt emotion and gratitude
• Chrysanthemums (especially in some European and Asian traditions) as a symbol of mourning and respect

The most appropriate flower is often the one that feels right for the person being remembered. If they had a favourite bloom or colour, we can incorporate that into the design.

What flowers are good for condolences?

White and soft toned flowers are traditional for condolences because they feel calm and understated. Lilies, roses, hydrangea, lisianthus, stock, snapdragons, orchids and seasonal foliage all work beautifully. For home deliveries, designs that are easy to place on a table or console tend to be the most practical.

What are the best flowers to send for sympathy?

The best flowers are those that reflect the personality of the person being remembered, or that feel comforting to the family. White and cream palettes are always appropriate, while soft blush, pale blue, or gentle green tones can also be very beautiful. We can guide you on flower choices that work well for the setting, whether that is a chapel, synagogue, crematorium or family home.

What are appropriate flowers to send for a funeral?

Appropriate flowers for a funeral are usually elegant, not overly bright, and carefully composed. White, cream, soft pastels or deep, rich tones are common. We avoid anything that feels casual or overly celebratory unless the family has specifically requested a more colourful celebration of life.

What is the 3:5:8 rule for flowers, and does it apply to funeral work?

The “3:5:8 rule” is a design guideline sometimes used in everyday floral arranging or interior styling. It refers to using groups of three, five or eight stems or elements to create balance and rhythm in a design. It is not a formal rule for sympathy or funeral floristry.

For funeral and sympathy pieces, we focus less on numeric rules and more on proportion, harmony and the setting in which the piece will be seen. The shape of a casket spray or standing spray, the architecture of the chapel, and the distance from which the tribute will be viewed are all more important than counting the exact number of stems.

Pricing and Budget

How much should I spend on flowers for a funeral?

How much to spend depends on your relationship with the person or family, the type of tribute you would like to send, and what feels comfortable for you.

As a general guide for premium funeral flowers in New York City:

• Hand tied sympathy bouquets: typically $125 – $300
• Vase arrangements for the home or service: typically $150 – $350
• Standing sprays: typically $300 – $650 or more depending on size and flowers
• Wreaths and hearts: often $350 – $800+
• Casket sprays: often $400 – $950+ depending on length and fullness
• Custom tributes and very large pieces: from around $500+

These are typical ranges, not rules. We can work with you to create something thoughtful at a level that feels appropriate.

How much should you spend on sympathy flowers?

For flowers sent to the home or office as a sympathy gesture, many people choose arrangements in the $150 – $300 range, although smaller or larger pieces can be entirely appropriate. The sentiment matters more than the exact amount. If you are ordering on behalf of a group or company, you may choose a larger design.

How much do condolence flowers usually cost?

Condolence flowers such as vase arrangements, hand tied bouquets or plants typically start around $125 – $150 for a smaller piece and go up from there depending on size and flower choice. We are happy to suggest designs at different price points if you share your budget and preferences.

How does pricing work for your arrangements?

Pricing is based on the size and complexity of the design, the types of flowers used and delivery location. Larger tributes such as casket sprays and standing sprays require more flowers and mechanics than smaller bouquets. Our product descriptions give guidance on size and pricing, and we can also work to a custom budget where needed.

Custom Tributes and Personalisation

Can you create custom or personalised tributes?

Yes. Many of our clients choose to personalise their tribute. We can:

• Incorporate favourite flowers, colours or textures
• Create designs inspired by a hobby, place or memory
• Design letter and name tributes, hearts, crosses and other shapes
• Include ribbons or discreet personal elements where appropriate

Custom tributes may require additional design time and advance notice. Please contact us directly if you have a specific idea in mind.

Can I request particular colours or specific flowers?

Yes. Subject to seasonal availability, we will always try to include requested flowers and colours. If a particular variety is unavailable, we will suggest close alternatives that keep the same feeling and style as the original concept.

Will my arrangement look exactly like the photo?

We always aim to stay close to the style and spirit of the designs shown, but flower availability can vary from day to day. When substitutions are necessary, we use flowers of equal or greater value and keep the overall colour palette and feeling of the piece consistent.

Shiva, Religious Traditions and Cultural Considerations

Can you design arrangements for Jewish shiva?

Yes. We regularly create suitable arrangements for Jewish shiva and condolence visits. These are usually designed for the home rather than a formal chapel and are often in calm, neutral tones, although we can adapt to the family's preferences.

Do you design for Catholic, Christian or non-religious services?

Yes. We design appropriate tributes for Catholic and Christian funerals, non-religious memorial services, cremation ceremonies and celebrations of life. If you tell us a little about the family and the setting, we can recommend styles that will feel respectful and fitting.

Can you help me choose what is appropriate to send for a particular tradition?

Of course. If you are not sure whether to send a wreath, standing spray, casket spray, bouquet or plant for a particular tradition or culture, you can call or email us with a few details about the service and your relationship to the family. We can recommend designs and sizes that will be both thoughtful and appropriate.

Pet Memorials

Do you create flowers for pet memorials?

Yes. We know from personal experience that the loss of a pet can be deeply felt. We can design gentle, considered floral tributes for pet memorials and remembrance gatherings, whether at home, at a vet clinic or another special place.

Corporate and Group Condolences

Do you provide corporate condolence flowers for offices in NYC?

Yes. We create arrangements on behalf of companies and teams wishing to express condolences to colleagues, clients or partners. These can be sent to a funeral home, place of worship or directly to an office or residence. We can assist with appropriate wording for the card message if needed, including from a group or department.

Changes, Cancellations and Practical Details

Can I change or cancel my order?

If you need to change or cancel an order, please contact us as soon as possible by phone or email. For funeral work, we often begin ordering and preparing flowers well in advance of the service, so changes may not always be possible at very short notice. We will advise you of what can be adjusted based on how close we are to the delivery time.

What happens if the service time or venue changes?

If you become aware of changes to the time or location of a service, please let us know as quickly as possible so we can update the delivery. If we are not informed and flowers are delivered to the original place or time, we cannot accept responsibility for missed services, but we will always help find the best available solution.

What if the delivery address or access details are incorrect?

If a delivery address is incorrect or incomplete, we will contact you to clarify where possible. Redelivery fees may apply. If we are unable to reach you or gain access, the flowers may need to be held or collected. Refunds cannot be issued for unsuccessful delivery attempts caused by incorrect information or lack of access.

If you have any other questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to support you and to make the floral part of the arrangements as thoughtful and stress free as possible.