People generally send flowers to the funeral home when someone passes away, and they do this to express their sympathy and love for the family. This is a tradition that has lived on for a very long time, but flowers these days are very expensive, and most of them are disposed of at the cemetery. This is why some people choose to give a funeral gift other than flowers.
I firmly believe that beautiful flowers should be given to the living. After all, the person that has departed this life cannot enjoy their natural beauty, and unless the plants are potted, the family will not usually take them home. Consider the following funeral gifts instead of flowers, and give the family something they can really use during this time of grief. Flowers are nice, but other gift ideas can be even nicer than cut blooms that will be thrown away before they have even wilted.
Give Books of Postage Stamps Instead of a Funeral Bouquet
Instead of giving a gift of flowers, consider giving books of postage stamps to the family. They will come in handy for sending thank you cards or anything else requiring postage. When tucked into a sympathy card, this thoughtful funeral gift will save the person a trip to the post office as well as the cost of the stamps.
Send Restaurant Gift Cards Instead of a Floral Arrangement
Preparing meals can be a chore when trying to plan a funeral. Instead of sending a gift of overpriced flowers to the family, send restaurant gift cards in sympathy greetings. Choose local full-service restaurants instead of fast food. The gift cards will be greatly appreciated, even more than expensive funeral flowers.
Give a Gas Card Instead of a Funeral Bouquet
Someone that must travel long distance by car to attend the funeral of a friend or loved one would greatly appreciate the gift of a gas card instead of flowers. Buy a gas card from a gas station that is local to that person or local to the area where the funeral will take place. Even though this gift will be burned away in a gas tank, it will probably still last longer than costly flowers from a florist. This will save the person money, and it is a very thoughtful choice.
Send a Visa or Mastercard Gift Card in a Sympathy Greeting
Instead of giving overpriced funeral flowers to a close friend or family member, send a prepaid Visa or Mastercard that can be used anywhere that accepts the card of your choice. This way they can choose exactly what they need instead of costly bouquets that will end up in the trash at the cemetery. Gift cards can be used for anything from funeral clothing to food, and everything in between.
Give the Priceless Gift of Time Instead of a Funeral Bouquet
When trying to think of funeral gifts other than flowers for loved ones, give the gift of time. Do not just offer to spend time with or help someone that is grieving. Make it a point to call them for a meal and do something to help them around the home. Many people mean well and tell friends and loved ones to call if they are needed, but those calls are rarely made. Step up to the plate and give the gift of love and time to someone that just lost a very special person. This will mean much more than expensive funeral flowers. The gift of time is truly priceless, especially during times of grief.
