🌸 5 Mistakes to Avoid When Sending Condolence or Get-Well Flowers

When we lack of the right words to say, flowers often speak for us — offering comfort, hope, and compassion in times of sorrow or illness. But while flowers carry deep meaning, the wrong type or message can unintentionally send mixed signals.

Whether you’re sending condolence flowers for a bereaved family or get-well flowers to someone recovering, here are five common mistakes to avoid — and how to choose blooms that speak from the heart.

1. Choosing the Wrong Type of Flowers

Each flower has a meaning, and not every bloom suits every occasion.

• 🌼 Bright, celebratory flowers like sunflowers or red roses might not be appropriate for condolences, as they can appear too festive.

• 🌸 For condolence arrangements, go for soft and respectful tones — white lilies, yellow chrysanthemums, or orchids are classic and dignified.

• 🌺 For get-well wishes, pick cheerful yet calming colours like yellow gerberas, pink tulips, or lavender blooms that inspire warmth and recovery. Pastel colours are popular as well.

💡 Tip: At Harmony Essentials, our florists curate condolence and get-well arrangements that reflect sincerity and cultural sensitivity.

2. Ignoring Cultural or Religious Significance

Different faiths have unique customs when it comes to flowers.

• In Chinese funerals, white and yellow chrysanthemums symbolise mourning and remembrance.

• For Christian funerals, lilies represent purity and resurrection.

• For Taoist or Buddhist services, avoid bright red flowers as they are associated with joy rather than grief.

🌷 Always check cultural preferences before sending flowers — what brings comfort in one tradition might be inappropriate in another. What a certain flowers mean in a country might also mean different things in another country. We once sent orchids down to a funeral and the family was enraged because in Singapore, people associate Orchids - Singapore's national flowers to National Day.

3. Forgetting to Include a Thoughtful Message

A beautiful bouquet feels incomplete without heartfelt words.
Many people make the mistake of sending flowers with no card or a generic “Deepest condolences.” Take the time to write a short, personal note.

Examples:

• “May your loved one’s memory continue to bring peace and comfort.”

• “Wishing you a gentle recovery and brighter days ahead.”

✍️ Harmony Essentials provides complimentary message cards for every order — crafted to match the tone and intention of your flowers.

4. Sending Flowers Too Late (or Too Soon)

Timing matters. Sending condolence flowers too long after the funeral may lose the intended comfort, while sending get-well flowers too early — especially to ICU patients — might not be ideal.

🕊️ When in doubt, contact the family or hospital to find out the appropriate time to send your flowers.

Sending flowers isn’t just about tradition — it’s about emotion. Whether you’re expressing sympathy or hope, the right arrangement can bring warmth and peace when it’s needed most.

Explore our Condolence Collection or Get-Well Range today — thoughtfully designed to convey love, respect, and healing.