My great-grandfather passed away today. His funeral will be Tuesday or Wednesday and I'm just wondering what to do. I am going to take flowers and a card to my great-grandmother, but I don't know if I should bring flowers or something just to show my respects to his immediate family. I'm sure the family will all get together afterwards. Any suggestions? Thank you!
2007-11-03 12:45:11 · 11 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
I'm sorry for your loss. Some families want wreaths or flowers for the coffin or grave and some prefer a donation be made to charity. You need to ask someone involved in making the funeral arrangements. If family are too upset you could ask the funeral director.
2007-11-03 12:49:33 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Sorry for your loss.
Bringing flowers to your great-grandmother, instead of sending them to the funeral home, is much more personal and sweet and I'll bet she'll appreciate it more than seeing an arrangement lost in a sea of others that will be at the funeral home. Follow your instincts. But you can do both.
You could also discreetly call around to see if any of the other great-grandchildren want to go in on a bouquet to send to the funeral home. You may also find out that one was already ordered and signed "from all the great-grandchildren"---which is common. I was in the floral business for twenty years, by the way, and have seen thousands of 'grandchildren' and 'great-grandchildren' floral sprays ordered at the same time as the casket spray so the colors co-ordinate.
Just so others reading this will know: if someone wants to bring flowers---instead of sending them---to the funeral home, it's usually done before the viewing times so the director can place them in the room without anyone in the family being around. People do bring them instead of sending them on occasion, if they want to save getting charged a delivery fee or they buy them from a place without a delivery service.
Do what is in your heart and you can't go wrong. There are some good suggestions up above.
2007-11-03 21:07:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You could follow tradition, and send a nice card to your great grandmother, and send flowers, usually a funeral spray, to the funeral home before the visitation, if there is to be one. Your florist can advise you on what is proper and nice, and what is in your budget. You could always go in on a spray with someone else in the family if you wish.
It is traditional to take food to the wake, or the after funeral gathering. Pick something easy to transport, and easy to eat. And something that does not have to be fussed over when it gets to the gathering. Cookies, brownies, ham, a salad, deviled eggs, a casserole like mostacoli, a relish or veggie tray, fruit tray. If you don't cook, you will be forgiven if you go to the grocery and buy something. And if you are out of town, same thing.
If you want to take flowers to the house, fine, but not everyone keeps a vase waiting.
Surely some family member is in charge, and can advise you if there will be a charity named, and what will be provided already at the wake.
My sympathy for your loss.
2007-11-03 20:12:58 · answer #3 · answered by riversconfluence 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry about the passing of your great-grandfather. You are so sweet bringing flowers and a card for your great-grandmother. It is not necessary to bring flowers or anything for the immediate family, when you're with them just express your sympathy,after all you're one of the grieving also.. If you have some extra money, your can just hand your great grandmother the card( forget the flowers) and have flowers sent to the funeral home, sign it, ( With sympathy, Great Granddaughter( your name) otherwise just stick to your original plan.....
2007-11-03 21:39:33 · answer #4 · answered by mj 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Can you read the obituary if it is published in the newspaper? A nice thing is to buy a sympathy card and write a note to your great grandmother in it. Include memories of him. Usually people send flowers to the wake or funeral home, not bring anything. Usually people send donations which are listed in the newspaper. I believe your note will be most meaningful. I am sorry .
2007-11-03 20:11:29 · answer #5 · answered by barthebear 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You are the family. You are a mourner. The only people closer to him than you are, are those a generation older than you. This is a case where you don't need to comfort anyone - you need to graciously say "thank you" when people tell you they are sorry for your loss.
Take flowers to your great-grandmother if you like, and tell her a couple of light stories about times you had with him. But don't take her a card, and don't send flowers to anyone else. People should be sending them to your parent who has lost a grandparent.
You sound like a caring relative, your family is lucky to have you!
2007-11-03 21:07:25 · answer #6 · answered by noname 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Truthfully if it were me.......I would do just as you said. Only get the flowers and card for your great grandmother. I'm sure all the family members attending would put most of the emphases on Her,.... being She's the widow. I would just address the card to her, and "Family".
2007-11-03 20:00:06 · answer #7 · answered by grami 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You don't bring flowers to a funeral, you send them. Order something from your favorite florist that is special with a card. Your presence then is the gift to your family.
2007-11-03 19:58:54 · answer #8 · answered by dawnb 7 · 3⤊ 1⤋
Spending time being with the family is the greatest gift you can give them at this time, both now and in the weeks/months to come. I'm sorry for your loss.
2007-11-04 00:20:38 · answer #9 · answered by June B 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
have sympathy for ur great grand mom. i have recently lost my wife to a brain heamourage. the funeral was the lowest point in my life,it was awfull. she will need all ur support on that day.AND I MEAN THAT,
2007-11-03 20:05:51 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋