Sympathy Flowers: 11 of the Most Popular Blooms and What They Symbolize

When someone you care about loses a loved one, sympathy flowers are a simple and thoughtful way to show support. These arrangements are sent to honor someone's memory and comfort grieving family members. 

Choosing the best flowers for sympathy can help express your love and support during a difficult time. This guide explores some of the most meaningful sympathy flowers and what they symbolize, along with tips for choosing appropriate colors and arrangements.

Best flowers for sympathy at a glance

This quick guide highlights some of the most popular sympathy flowers, along with what they symbolize and when they’re typically used.

1. Lilies

Best for: Traditional funeral sprays and representing peace

White lilies are among the most traditional sympathy flowers, often associated with the belief that the soul is at peace. With large, elegant blooms, they are a common choice for formal arrangements such as funeral sprays and standing tributes. 

White Oriental lilies are especially popular, while elegant calla lilies are also frequently used to represent purity and remembrance.

2. Roses

Best for: Expressing deep love, respect, and grace

A classic choice for sympathy arrangements, roses help show love and respect during difficult times. Their colors also carry distinct meanings — white roses symbolize reverence and remembrance, red roses express deep love, and pink roses convey grace and appreciation.

They are often included in memorial bouquets for the loss of a beloved pet, offering a gentle way to honor the bond shared with a cherished companion.

3. Carnations

Best for: Durable, long-lasting tributes and standing sprays.

Carnations are a staple in tribute displays because they are durable, long-lasting and have a gentle fragrance that isn’t overpowering. Their ruffled blooms hold up well in standing sprays and wreaths, making them a reliable choice for memorial displays. 

Different colors carry slightly different meanings than with roses. Red carnations are associated with admiration, white carnations represent pure love and pink carnations express remembrance and gratitude.

4. Chrysanthemums

Best for: Global traditions and large floral tributes

Widely associated with mourning and remembrance, chrysanthemums are traditionally used for funerals and memorial services in parts of Europe and Asia. 

Their dense blooms add fullness and structure to large arrangements, which is why florists often use them as the foundation for wreaths and standing sprays. Available in many shapes and sizes, they help create the layered look typical of formal floral tributes.

5. Gladioli

Best for: Traditional standing sprays for funeral homes or churches.

Gladioli are often included in formal displays because they symbolize strength of character and remembrance. Their tall stems naturally add height and structure, making them a common choice for standing sprays and other formal funeral displays. 

For this reason, gladioli are typically used in arrangements sent to funeral homes or churches rather than smaller bouquets delivered to the home.

6. Orchids

Best for: Long-lasting home gifts and eternal love.

Among the most elegant types of sympathy flowers, orchids symbolize enduring love and remembrance. Phalaenopsis and dendrobium orchids are commonly chosen for their graceful blooms and association with lasting affection. 

Because orchids can bloom for weeks or even months, they are a thoughtful option for home deliveries and are often included in sympathy gift baskets.

7. Hydrangeas

Best for: Heartfelt emotion and living memorials.

Symbolizing heartfelt emotion, gratitude and remembrance, hydrangeas make a thoughtful floral tribute. Their large clusters of blooms create a soft, comforting presence that works well in both bouquets and potted plants. 

Sending a potted hydrangea can be especially thoughtful, as the family may later move it to an outdoor garden as a living memorial.

8. Tulips 

Best for: Celebrations of life and symbols of hope.

Tulips are often chosen for sympathy arrangements because they represent hope, renewal and the start of a new chapter. Their simple, elegant blooms bring a sense of hope that can feel appropriate for celebrations of life. Bright yellow tulips are especially fitting when honoring someone known for a cheerful or vibrant personality.

9. Peace Lilies

Best for: Low-maintenance home gifts and long-term support.

Peace lilies (spathiphyllum) are one of the most common plants sent as a sympathy gift because they symbolize peace, healing and remembrance. They thrive in low-light indoor environments and require very little care, making them a practical choice for grieving families. A peace lily can continue growing for years, serving as a lasting reminder of your support.

10. Irises

Best for: Calm, serene palettes and expressing faith.

Irises are often included in floral tributes because they stand for faith, hope, and wisdom. Blue irises in particular bring a calm and reflective tone that can feel comforting during times of loss. They work well in bouquets with serene color palettes, creating a calm and peaceful look.

11. Statice

Best for: Filler flowers and symbols of remembrance.

Statice is often used as a filler flower in sympathy arrangements, adding texture and soft color around larger blooms. Statice represents remembrance and lasting memory, and its papery blooms keep their color even after other flowers fade.

Choosing the right color for the occasion

Color plays an important role in memorial bouquets. White flowers are the most traditional choice, symbolizing peace, purity and remembrance. Soft pastels such as pink, lavender and light blue convey grace, comfort and compassion, while yellow or brighter tones are sometimes used for celebrations of life to reflect warmth and positivity.

If you knew the person who passed, consider incorporating their favorite color into the arrangement. Choosing blooms that reflect their personality or preferences can make the gesture feel more personal and meaningful to the family.

Where to send sympathy flowers

When deciding where to have sympathy flowers delivered, etiquette and timing both play a role. Arrangements are typically delivered either to the funeral home or church for the service, or to the family’s home as a more personal gesture. Both options can be thoughtful ways to show you care when considering how to express condolences.

Funeral home or church

Large arrangements are usually sent to funeral homes or churches for display during the service as a public tribute. Standing sprays, floral crosses and large floor baskets are common choices because their size allows them to be seen from a distance.

These types of arrangements are often sent on behalf of extended family members, groups of friends, workplaces or community organizations. When arranging sympathy flower delivery, make sure to include the name of the deceased and the time of the service so the flowers arrive before the ceremony begins.

The family's residence

Flowers sent to the family’s home are usually smaller and more personal. Bouquets that fit comfortably on a side table or kitchen counter, along with potted plants such as orchids or peace lilies, are thoughtful personal sympathy gifts. 

Sending flowers to the home even a week or two after the service can also be meaningful. They serve as a quiet reminder that your support continues beyond the funeral.

How to order sympathy flowers for same-day delivery

When you need to find the best flowers for sympathy quickly, Instacart makes it easy to browse flowers from local grocery stores and flower shops, with same-day delivery often available. 

If you’re supporting someone from afar, you can also send gifts to loved ones out of state with flexible delivery options.

When placing your order, be sure to include a personalized message so the family knows who the gift is from. You can explore Instacart's flowers and arrangements to find everything from full floral arrangements to simple grocery store flowers that offer a thoughtful way to show your support.

Best flowers for sympathy FAQ

Is it ever too late to send sympathy flowers?

No, it’s never too late to send sympathy flowers. A “thinking of you” bouquet sent weeks or even months later can remind the family they are still in your thoughts.

What should I send if the family requests donations in lieu of flowers?

If the family requests donations in lieu of flowers, it’s best to honor their wishes for the service. However, a small plant or simple arrangement sent to the home later can still be a thoughtful personal gesture of support.

Are there religious traditions that do not accept flowers?

Yes, some faith traditions do not typically include flowers as part of mourning rituals. In those cases, consider other ways to show support such as sending food, offering help with daily tasks, or putting together a thoughtful care package.

How long do sympathy plants usually last?

Sympathy plants often last much longer than cut flowers. Orchids typically bloom for one to three months and can rebloom with proper care, while peace lilies can live for many years with basic watering and light.

Can I send a gift card instead of flowers?

Yes, a gift card can be a practical and thoughtful alternative instead of flowers. An Instacart gift card allows the family to order groceries, prepared meals, or household essentials when they need them most.