The Healing Power of Flowers

“Just a kind word or a greeting; Just a warm grasp or a smile There are flowers that will lighten The burdens for many a mile. After the journey is over What is the use of them How can they carry them who must be carried? Oh give them the flowers now!” – Leigh M. Hodges –

Flowers are a traditional way to show concern and support to a person or family who has experienced the loss of someone they love. They offer a way to comfort someone on the loss of a loved one. Flowers lift the “spirit” in so many ways – they can say, thinking of you, we love you, our thoughts are with you, we mourn the death of our friend, you deserve a smile, our sympathies on your loss… and so much more. Sending flowers are a way to let someone know they are not alone at this difficult time.

According to Candice Shoemaker, PhD (National Funeral Directors Association), “people who receive sympathy flowers prefer them to receiving sympathy cards, food or even memorial donations.” The Society of American Florists and Rutgers University conducted two studies on the emotional impact of flowers. One survey provides scientific proof that flowers increase happiness and life satisfaction and lead to increased contact with friends and family. The other survey showed that “81% of seniors who received weekly bouquets proved less depressed over time.”

Sometimes words of comfort are not enough. And the person sending the gift feels helpless. Flowers are a simple, thoughtful way to convey what our hearts feel and we cannot say. They can help us to say the right thing at the right time.
It is in these times of mourning and loss that you can express your caring and concern by sending flowers to the home, the funeral service, the church or the burial site.  It lets the receiver know you are thinking of them.

For a list of proper flowers to send for specific ethnic and religious traditions, read:   Ethnic & Religious Guidelines for Sympathy Flowers