Sympathy traditions vary for each culture and/or faith.  These are general guidelines to assist you in choosing the most appropriate arrangement for your loved one.  If in doubt, check with the local religious leaders or family members.

Baha'i

Burial should be within a one-hour drive from the place where the death occurs. Flowers and plants are appropriate.

Buddhist

The majority of Buddhist funerals take place in a  funeral home.  Sending Flowers or plants are usually appropriate.

Christian

Christian funerals are celebrations of eternal life.  The funeral may be in a church or in a funeral home.  Flowers or plants are appropriate.

Eastern Orthodox

During the period before the burial (usually three days after the death), flowers are appropriate to send to the funeral home.  Those unable to attend the service are encouraged to send flowers or plants to the funeral home and/or the family home.

Hindu

The funeral is typically held before the sun goes down on the day of the death.  Flowers may be sent to the funeral home, but is not necessarily part of the Hindu tradition.  Plants or flowers may be sent to the family home instead of the funeral home.

Islamic

Depending on the region, the appropriateness of sending of flowers varies.  Some regions emphasize simplicity, making the sending gifts (such as flowers) unsuitable.  Some regions deem sending flowers appropriate, seeing it as a celebration of completeness.  Seek the opinion of a local religious leader in the family.

Jewish

Traditionally, sending of flowers as gifts to the funeral home is not appropriate.  Increasingly, however, friends are choosing to send flowers t bereaved family members at their home following the funeral.  Similarly, it is becoming more common to see simplistic decorations adorning the synagogue foyer.  However, these new traditions are NOT practiced among Orthodox Jews.

Source: American Floral Services, Oklahoma City,