Sending a living plant is a thoughtful and enduring way to express sympathy during a time of loss, offering a lasting tribute that contrasts with the temporary nature of cut flower arrangements. These gifts provide a tangible, growing reminder of support and life, giving the recipient a memorial to care for long after the funeral service has passed. A potted plant serves as a quiet presence of comfort in a home, representing continuity and resilience. The choice of plant often carries deep meaning, connecting the gesture of condolence with a specific message of hope or remembrance.
Top Choices for Sympathy Plants
The Peace Lily, scientifically known as Spathiphyllum, is perhaps the most universally accepted and popular sympathy plant due to its striking appearance and practical resilience. This plant features glossy, deep green foliage and produces distinctive white, hood-like blooms called spathes, which give it a serene and calming aesthetic. Spathiphyllum is remarkably adaptable, thriving in indoor environments with low to medium light, making it an easy-care option for a grieving family. Its robust nature ensures it remains a beautiful, long-term fixture in the home.
Another elegant choice is the potted Orchid, typically a Phalaenopsis or “moth orchid,” valued for its graceful, architectural form and long-lasting flowers. Orchids, particularly those with white or pink blooms, project a sense of delicate beauty and sophistication, providing a visual uplift. The blooms can last for several months with minimal attention, generally requiring watering only about once a week and bright, indirect light. This extended blooming period provides continuous beauty, serving as a sustained reminder of the sender’s thoughtfulness.
The Hydrangea, often given as a potted plant, offers voluminous clusters of flowers that convey a sense of abundance and warmth. These are frequently selected in soft white, blue, or pink hues and are suitable for families who may wish to eventually transplant the memorial outdoors. While hydrangeas require slightly more attention, their lush, full appearance makes a powerful visual statement of heartfelt emotion. Selecting a medium-sized potted plant ensures it is manageable for transport.
Understanding the Symbolism of Funeral Plants
Each common sympathy plant conveys a specific message, allowing the sender to choose a meaning that aligns with their feelings for the bereaved family. The Peace Lily’s symbolism is perhaps the most direct, representing peace, purity, and innocence, often interpreted as the soul’s passing into a state of renewal and tranquility. Its white flowers are a visual representation of the hope for a return to calm after a period of sorrow.
Orchids carry the profound message of eternal love and lasting remembrance, making them a personal and deeply respectful choice. White or pink orchids are specifically associated with sympathy, representing innocence and everlasting affection for the person who has passed away. The enduring quality of the orchid bloom mirrors the hope that the memory and love for the deceased will be enduring.
The Hydrangea symbolizes heartfelt emotion, deep understanding, and gratitude, reflecting the complexity of feelings experienced during grief. Its large, full flower clusters convey a fullness of emotion, serving as a tangible expression of profound empathy and respect for the family’s loss.
Gifting Etiquette and Practical Considerations
When choosing a sympathy plant, the size should be a primary consideration, favoring medium to small potted plants that are easy for the family to transport and display in a home environment. A smaller, tabletop plant is often more practical for a family already overwhelmed with logistics than a large floor plant. The most appropriate timing for delivery is either to the funeral home before the service or, preferably, to the family’s private residence. Sending the plant directly to the family’s home, either immediately or a week or two after the service, allows the gift to be a source of comfort when the initial flurry of activity has subsided. This timing acknowledges that the support is ongoing and needed most in the quiet days of adjusting to loss. If sending to a funeral home, coordinate with the local florist to ensure timely delivery and confirm the family’s wishes, as some may request donations in lieu of flowers.
For the enclosure card, a brief, genuine message is most appropriate, such as “With deepest sympathy,” “Thinking of you,” or “A living tribute to [Deceased’s Name].” It should clearly state the sender’s name and possibly mention the plant’s lasting nature to encourage the recipient. The plant should be low-maintenance, providing beauty without demanding extensive care from a grieving individual.