When someone you care about loses a person they love, flowers say what’s hard to put into words. After 48 years of designing sympathy arrangements here in Altadena, I can tell you there’s no single right choice. But there are a few things worth knowing before you order, whether the service is at a church on Lake Avenue or the family is grieving at home in Pasadena.
Sending to a service vs. sending to the home
The first question I ask every caller: where are the flowers going?
- To the funeral or memorial service. Larger pieces belong here: standing sprays, wreaths, and casket arrangements. These are usually ordered by close family, so if you’re a friend or coworker, a generous vase arrangement sent to the service is thoughtful without overstepping.
- To the family’s home. Smaller and softer is better. A vase arrangement the family doesn’t need to trim or fuss with brings comfort for days after the service, when the house gets quiet. Many people send these a week or two later, when the first wave of support has passed. That timing means a lot.
Which flowers say it well
White flowers are the classic choice for a reason. White roses, lilies, stock, and hydrangea read as peaceful and respectful in any tradition. If the person you’re honoring was colorful and full of life, don’t be afraid to say so with soft peach, cream, and blush, or even their favorite flower. Some of the most beautiful sympathy pieces we’ve made started with “she grew roses in her yard for forty years.”
A few gentle guidelines
- Roses: love and respect. White for reverence, soft pink for admiration.
- Lilies: the most traditional sympathy flower, standing for the peace of the soul.
- Chrysanthemums: in many cultures, the flower of mourning and truth.
- Stock and snapdragons: soft height and fragrance for arrangements sent to the home.
When in doubt, call us.
Tell us about the person. We’ll design something by hand that fits them, your budget, and where it’s going. That’s what a real florist is for. (626) 791-8141.
What to write on the card
The card matters as much as the flowers. Keep it short, honest, and in your own voice. If you’re stuck, these work:
“We love you, and we’re holding your whole family close.”
“Your mom’s kindness reached so many of us. She won’t be forgotten.”
“There are no right words. Just know we’re here, today and after.”
“With deepest sympathy, and so much love from the whole team.”
Sign it with your full name. In a week full of flowers, “The Johnsons” is easier to place than “J + M.”
Same-day sympathy delivery in Altadena and Pasadena
We hand-deliver to homes, churches, and funeral homes across Altadena, Pasadena, La Cañada Flintridge, Eagle Rock, and the nearby foothill towns. Order by late morning and we can usually deliver the same day. If a service is on a tight schedule, call the shop directly at (626) 791-8141 and we’ll make it work.
Every sympathy arrangement that leaves our shop is designed by hand, by me. It’s been that way since 1978.