What do you bring to a funeral?

Flowers, sympathy cards, custom keepsakes, and donations are all appropriate gifts to bring to a funeral. While a gift is certainly not required, it can be a thoughtful way to communicate your love for those grieving. Flower and plant arrangements can often be sent to the funeral home prior to the service.


What do you bring to a funeral instead of flowers?

10 Perfect Alternatives to Sympathy Flowers
  • Ideas for meal help after a loved one dies. ...
  • Donating a memorial book to a library. ...
  • Housekeeping Service. ...
  • Gift Card for a Spa Service. ...
  • Grief Support Book. ...
  • Journal for Grief. ...
  • Memorial Candle. ...
  • Personalized Memorial Ornament.


Do you bring flowers to a funeral?

Flowers are the best way to express your condolences and sympathy to the bereaved – and honor the deceased. Because of their versatility, they are also considered sympathy flowers by the florists. Flowers are a language of love and empathy in this time of mourning.


What is appropriate to bring to a celebration of life?

Bringing a sympathy card to the event is considered appropriate celebration of life etiquette in most cases, but you can also choose to go with a more personal or unique gift if preferred. You can make a charitable donation to a cause the deceased was fond of or affiliated with.

How much do you give at a funeral?

How Much Should You Give? The traditional gift is the amount you would have spent on flowers for the service, generally between $50 and $100.


What should I bring to a funeral service?



Is it rude to put money in a sympathy card?

How do you properly give money to a grieving family member? Tucking cash or a check inside a sympathy card is a great way to offer support. Include a check if you mail the card. You may only want to include cash if you present the card to the family at the visitation or funeral.

Do you bring money to a funeral?

Money is not an appropriate gift, although exceptions may be made when the family is left in extreme financial difficulty. In that case, friends may wish to pool contributions to make a gift of assistance.

What do you wear to a funeral?

Traditionally, funeral etiquette suggests men and women wear black clothing that's conservative and respectful. Black or dark colours are most common, but some cultures expect mourners to wear a less traditional funeral colour.


What do you deliver for sympathy?

A chocolate Dipped Fruit™ arrangement is the perfect way to express your condolences. You can choose from a range of sympathy gifts, including some with pineapples cut into shapes like hearts, doves, or flowers, with strawberries, cantaloupe wedges, and honeydew.

What should you not wear to a celebration of life?

For a celebration of life or funeral service everyone should more than likely want to avoid a t shirt and jeans unless it is specified on the invitation of the service. Funeral attire is typically more formal and consists of dress shoes, slacks or dress pants, and a black dress or dress of another color.

Is it rude not to bring anything to a funeral?

If you're asking whether you should bring a gift to a funeral service, the answer is generally yes. While a gift is not usually required to attend the service, it's considered polite not to arrive empty-handed.


What should you not wear to a funeral?

Avoid dressing in casual clothing, such as athletic wear, tank tops, or shorts. Skip the flip-flops, tennis shoes, sneakers, or boat shoes. Remove the neon necktie, purse, or accessory. Shy away from wearing jeans, even black ones, because they are considered too casual for a funeral.

What should you avoid at a funeral?

Things You Should NOT Do at a Funeral
  • Laugh out of turn. ...
  • Wear something revealing or loud. ...
  • Disrespect cues. ...
  • Make unnecessary noise. ...
  • Speak out of turn. ...
  • Applaud out of turn. ...
  • Yawn excessively. ...
  • Move around too much.


What food to bring to a funeral?

Our Top 5 Recommended Foods for a Funeral Reception
  • Casseroles. These easily reheat and can provide comfort to those who lost a loved one. ...
  • Finger foods. These can be great if you are serving a small group, as they're easy to prepare. ...
  • Meat and cheese trays. ...
  • Fruit and vegetable trays. ...
  • Salads.


What do you send to family for funeral?

Depending on the traditions and customs observed by the individual the most traditional items include baked goods and desserts, fruit, dried fruit, & nuts, and assorted chocolates. These types of gifts provide both comfort and nourishment to mourning families and are a respectful way to offer condolences.

Is it rude not to send flowers to a funeral?

As we've already noted, older generations might be surprised to find how many funerals are requesting donations—and how few people send flowers these days. It's not rude or inconsiderate.

What do you put in a gift basket for a funeral?

You might include several types of cookies, for example, which could be offered with coffee. Other options include nuts and dried fruit, cookie platters, brownies, or other easy-to-serve desserts. Any gifts for family of the deceased should include a note or sympathy card offering support.


Is it appropriate to send a gift basket for sympathy?

During this time of remembrance send sympathy gifts of love and compassion. Let family members or friends know that you are thinking of them and wish them the best with a sympathy gift basket delivery. A sympathy food basket or bereavement gift basket filled with treats is a simple gesture that means so much.

What do you put in a sympathy bag?

What to put in a sympathy gift basket
  1. Tea.
  2. Coffee.
  3. Fruit.
  4. Cheese.
  5. Nuts.
  6. Book of poems.
  7. Memory stone.
  8. Keychain charm.


Is it OK to wear jeans to a funeral?

Can you wear jeans to a funeral? Bottom line: jeans are not appropriate for a funeral. Unless the family requests them, you should avoid wearing denim to a funeral. However, if it's a casual, outdoor service, you can consider a dark (almost black denim) paired with a button-down shirt and blazer.


Is it disrespectful to not wear black at a funeral?

You Don't Have To Wear Black

However, colors like dark grey, dark blue, darker green, white, and beige can be appropriate. If you don't own any black clothing, you may always opt for a subtle hue that is appropriate for formal settings. In addition, stay away from anything with distracting patterns or prints.

Do you still wear black to a funeral?

Funeral Attire Colors

Black is still a safe choice for funerals. However, you're not limited to black. Other dark and muted colors also work well. Gray and navy are two popular options that fit the occasion.

How much do you put in a funeral card?

Usually, a gift of money at a funeral is between $70 and $120. The customary gift is what you would typically spend on flowers. Here are some ideas on offering money and other appropriate memorial gifts before, during, or after a funeral service.


What is the etiquette for funerals?

Traditional funeral etiquette dictates that you should introduce yourself, starting with your name and how you knew the deceased. Express your condolences and move on. Don't monopolize the mourners. Give others a chance to share their support.

Is a gift card appropriate for a death?

Amy Cunningham, a funeral director and the owner of Fitting Tribute, a funeral home in Brooklyn, said the gift card should be for a service the person already uses and for a generous amount. “Food is helpful, but give it in abundance,” Ms. Cunningham, 63, said.