Memorial floral arrangements have been used through history, in nearly all cultures, to show compassion and love for the deceased and the deceased's family. These memorial arrangements are normally displayed at the wake and other services held at the funeral home, religious building, cemetery, or any combination of the three. After the service, the family has the option of bringing home any arrangements or live plants given by the loved ones of the departed.

Ordering funeral flower arrangements can be accomplished in several ways.

• Online Florists- Many online florists offer a selection of memorial flowers and other arrangements that can be conveniently purchased via the Internet. These online florists will usually have pictures of the available arrangements on their websites.

• Local Florists- Local florists are typically a better choice, due to the personal service found at these establishments. Being able to talk directly to the floral arranger will more easily allow you to effectively communicate your needs and will result in a better final product. The floral arranger will also be able to provide you with fresh ideas and be able to work more closely with you. As another benefit, you will be able to directly see the quality of the arrangement that will be used at the service.

• Funeral Home- It can be wise to contact the funeral home directly in the event you should want to provide arrangements for the service. Many funeral homes have good relationships with quality florists, and can provide you with a trusted, experienced, and quality floral arranger. At the very least, they can tell you which ones not to consider. This is also a good idea if are directly involved with the funeral services, as you will already have the opportunity to sit down with the funeral director in person.

The most important factor to consider when ordering memorial or funeral floral arrangements is quality. Using a trustworthy, qualified florist is the best way to ensure that you will be pleased and satisfied with your floral displays. Ask friends, family, and the funeral director if they have any recommendations or suggestions. You can also find reviews of florists online. Be sure to communicate your intentions clearly with the floral arranger to ensure you will actually get what you want. A good florist should be able to fully understand your wants, as well as be able to provide their own ideas for your consideration.

Most florists will deliver your floral arrangement directly to the funeral home, religious center, or cemetery, should you want them to do this. Typically, the flowers are delivered to the memorial site the day before, or the morning of the services to be held, and will be arranged at the service by the staff.