Flowers Still Okay to Send?

Updated on January 09, 2013
B.A. asks from Sacramento, CA
17 answers

Right after Christmas I learned that the husband of a friend of mine passed away in October during heart surgery. I haven't seen my friend in about 18 years, she lives out of state and other than her business on FB, we really only are in touch around Christmas with cards and Christmas letters. This is just background info. The passing of her husband was in the letter and she wrote a personal note to me. I saw the letter just before we were heading out the door to be gone a week, but I sent her a message via facebook before we left. I'm not sure she's seen the message, as she doesn't FB other than to post news about her business. Anyway, I want to send flowers, or at the very least a card. Would it seem too after the fact to send flowers? I would think flowers are appreciated any time, but I'm not real up to speed on things like this. Thanks ahead of time...I will probably send the flowers any way, unless an overwhelming response is 'no'.

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So What Happened?

Thanks for your awesome responses! I just sent a white gardenia plant with a personal note. I really liked the idea of sending a plant instead of the flowers, which at this time seem not as meaningful. Thanks for helping me figure this one out. I think she'll appreciate the plant quite a bit.

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C.O.

answers from Minneapolis on

I think you're okay with flowers and a heartfelt note. Maybe saying how you just learned of it. I think flowers are always appreciated.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.B.

answers from Houston on

Definitely send her flowers or a plant. I would think that now things have settled down, friends and family have gone home and moved on with their lives, she might be feeling down and alone. This will be a reminder that someone is thinking of her and she is not alone.

1 mom found this helpful

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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

I would love to get flowers anytime! She probably has alot of "funeral" type plants leftover. Maybe a pretty spring bulb garden to show the promise of rebirth after a long winter.

4 moms found this helpful
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C.B.

answers from New York on

Send the flowers and also a note.

2 moms found this helpful
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M.P.

answers from Raleigh on

Send a plant! What a nice friend you are...
One piece of advice- I would do a nice orchid, miniature rose bush, or a violet. Something like that. Before my brother died, I sent him a gorgeous potted azalea. He loved it so much and my mother often mentioned how much he admired it.
I would definitely stay away from peace lilies or lilies in general. I have a sunroom full of them from when members of my family passed over the years. I hate to get rid of them because they remind me of a my loved one, but I have really started to hate them at this point. Everyone sends them at the funeral...

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N.W.

answers from Eugene on

Friends sent me flowers after my brother and more recently, my dad passed away. I really appreciated the flowers, thoughts and cards that came.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.M.

answers from Kansas City on

It's never too late! Send them!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.S.

answers from Boca Raton on

I think it's a wonderful thing to do . . . probably good timing since most of her friends and family who are closer have moved out of the immediate "mourning" phase. She probably feels very alone.

Very sad . . .

1 mom found this helpful
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K.P.

answers from Seattle on

I think it's a great idea! Also, I think it is more thoughtful sometimes to send things after things have settled down and people have gone into their usual routines. She may (or may not) be feeling lonely, and forgotten.

Send your flowers and a nice card telling her that even though you dont get a chance to keep touch often, that you are thinking of her in this time.

I honestly think she will appreciate ANY gesture that you want to send.

I hope that she is hanging in there, and best wishes to her and you.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.F.

answers from New York on

For this particular matter I would prefer a basket of fruit or a plant over flowers since it is so far away from the funeral. Also a personalized card would be a wonderful added touch.

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P.K.

answers from New York on

How about sending a nice plant. Flowers die. Plant will be a reminder of your friendship.

G.K.

answers from San Francisco on

I think she'll appreciate the sentiment and knowing that you're thinking of her :)

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C.G.

answers from Sacramento on

Although you already heard from everyone - I just wanted to assure you that YES - never too late. My dad passed away in November and its so nice still to hear from people about what he meant to them. It's sometimes even nicer when you receive something later when people have moved on, but you are still mourning. Nice to be assured that your loved one was not forgotten.

X.O.

answers from Chicago on

I think it is a wonderful gesture.

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A.V.

answers from Washington DC on

I might send a donation to a charity in his name and they can send a card or note to the family. I think that since you are not in close contact and she only recently told you, that you shouldn't act like the death was in October when you are considering a token of sympathy. Send what you feel is right. My aunt said it was hardest when everyone went home and she was alone, so maybe she would appreciate the flowers because it shows someone is still thinking of her. I've also sent gift baskets from http://winecountrygiftbasket.com/.

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R.P.

answers from Sacramento on

Flowers are perfect and besides it will let her know you are thinking about her and not only at Christmas time.

D.B.

answers from Boston on

It's often nice to receive a gesture long after the initial flurry of gestures has ended. It's hard for the widow once everyone goes back to their lives and she is left to forge ahead alone. Some people don't really like flowers - as they die, the person is reminded of the death of their loved one in a negative way. You could also send a live plant. You could also make a donation to an organization that would mean something to her or her husband - perhaps something in their town (e.g. scholarship or athletic fund if they were active in something), or to a major (and reputable) charity dealing with the disease that took his life (if you know what it is). Other good ideas are the college he went to, public television, their church, etc. There's also a company called Reflections - I think they are franchises. I know a women who owns one. They sell unique stained glass lamps in varying prices, and send a brief poem in a frame. The idea is that every time they light the lamp, it brings more light into their lives as does the memory of their loved one.

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