Leaving funeral flowers at the graveyard or funeral home with a message on the sash is an old tradition. That way, we’re symbolically saying goodbye to the person we lost, while we’re also expressing condolences to the family.
Depending on the situation there are hundreds of things you could write on funeral flowers. In this article, we’ll be listing them down by category, while we’ll also explain a few instances where messages and flowers aren’t appropriate.
Religious Messages to Write on Funeral Flowers
These messages are nondenominational and they can apply to almost every religion. However, you have to remember that some religions aren’t welcoming to flowers and messages.
For example, the Jewish consider funerals very conservative affairs – bringing flowers and cards would be too much as it takes the attention away from mourning.
The same can be said for many Muslim funerals, but that isn’t true in all cases and it’s best to check with someone who knows better.
Here are some of the more popular religious messages, but keep in mind that some of them are direct quotes from religious books, so they might be inappropriate for some funerals.
· Forever in Our Thoughts
· In God’s Arms May You Gently Rest
· Heaven Has a New Angel
· Even Though I Walk Through the Darkest Valley, I Will Fear No Evil, For You Are with Me; Your Rod and Your Staff, They Comfort Me (Psalms 23:4)
· So Also You Have Sorrow Now, But I Will See You Again, and Your Hearts Will Rejoice, and No One Will Take Your Joy From You (John 16:22)
Messages of Condolences Towards the Family
Messages aren’t there only to say goodbye to the departed, but also to express your condolences to the family. These messages are often written on flowers and wreaths, but also on cards.
It’s especially respectful to send a card or flowers with a message if you weren’t able to make it to the funeral in person.
· We’re Terribly Sorry for Your Loss – Keeping You in Our Prayers
· My Heart Goes Out to Your Family
· Please Accept My Heartfelt Condolences
· Our Honest Sympathies to You and Your Family During This Time
· The Path of Grieving is Paved with Thorns, but You Will Never Walk Alone
· There Are No Words to Express the Sorrow I Feel for Your Family
Nonreligious Messages to Write on Funeral Flowers
Even though the funeral is there for the living to say goodbye to the departed, you should always be mindful of the messages you write. Sometimes, religious messages can be inappropriate, no matter how honest and heartfelt they are.
Messages can express sorrow and condolences without involving religion in them. Here are a few examples:
· As We Lay You to Rest, Know That the Memories We Made Together Become Treasure
· Dear Friend, We Will See Each Other Once Again
· Many People Come into Our Lives, But Few Leave Footprints on Our Hearts
· Time May Pass, But Memories of You Will Always Stay
· Sleep Peacefully, Dear Friend, Until We Meet Again
Funeral Messages for Parents and Siblings
The death of a close family member is extremely intimate and you should always write from the heart. However, if you’re at a loss for words, here are a few ideas.
· Mum/Dad, I Know Not How to Continue Without You Holding My Hand, But I Will Make You Proud
· Thank you, mother/father, for Your Endless Love
· Dear Sister/Brother, I Will Never Forget You
· Mother/Father, My Hero, I Hope You Finally Found Peace
What Not to Write on Funeral Flowers
There are a few things you should never write on funeral flowers or cards. This mostly applies to messages that are trying to explain, justify, or cushion the death of the departed.
These messages can be seen as offensive as you’re not in the shoes of family members and trying to force some sense about death in their minds during this difficult time is disrespectful.
Avoid phrases like:
· It’s All With a Reason
· The Lord Has a Plan
· I Know How You’re Feeling
· It Was Time
· They Lived a Long Life – the length of one’s life has nothing to do with how painful or painless their death can be for their family
· Gone Too Soon – although it might be with the best intentions, this will only remind the family of a person they lost too early
· They Are Now in a Better Place
· You Will See Them Again – it offers no sympathy at the moment and it forces a religious ideology upon people who don’t believe in the afterlife, which is offensive
If the person died a tragic death, such as a car crash, you should always avoid mentioning the event – the family will remember it every day for the rest of their lives and they don’t need anyone else mentioning it.
Also, remember not to offer any help if you don’t actually mean it and if you can’t provide it.
To End
Writing sympathy messages on flowers and cards is difficult, as you want to express genuine sympathy, but so many phrases have become too common, and everyone else is using them too. Don’t worry about this – the grieving family will appreciate the intent, not the wording.
Make sure not to include anything too intrusive and stick to the feelings you truly have.