Sympathy and Condolence Flowers Sydney

When someone you know has lost someone, flowers are one of the best ways to show you care.

Susan Avery has been based in Woollahra in Sydney's eastern suburbs for over 40 years, and sympathy flowers are some of the most important work we do.

This guide covers what to send, when to send it, which varieties are right for the day, and what to expect on pricing; whether you're sending to a family home, a place of worship, or a memorial service in Sydney.

Flowers to the home versus flowers to the service

These are two quite different situations, and it's easy to mix them up.

Flowers sent to a service, a funeral, memorial, or interment, are formal arrangements. They're displayed publicly alongside tributes from other mourners, and they need to hold up well without anyone fussing over them. Wreaths, sheaf arrangements, and standing tributes are the traditional choices. They're ordered in advance around the funeral director's requirements, with delivery coordinated to the venue.

Flowers sent to a family home are a private gesture. They arrive before, during, or after the service and go straight to the family. The arrangement needs to be self-contained in its own container, or wrapped so the recipient doesn't have to go hunting for a vase. A loose hand-tied bouquet is beautiful in other situations, but it quietly adds a small task to a household that's already got enough going on. Something that arrives ready to sit on the table is always the better call.

At Susan Avery, we do both. Our funeral wreaths, funeral bouquets, and casket arrangements are made for the service. For the home, we make quieter arrangements that are contained, long-lasting, and right for the moment.

Which varieties hold well, and which to avoid

Not every flower is a good fit for condolence arrangements. It comes down to how long they'll last in a home where no one's going to be changing water twice a day, and whether the look feels right for the occasion.

Varieties that hold well:

• Cymbidium and phalaenopsis orchids  They can last two to three weeks with very little attention. They're elegant without being fussy, which makes them a great choice here.
• Oriental and Asiatic lilies  These a classic for sympathy flowers, and for a genuinely good reason. They last well, they travel well, and they're available year-round through the Sydney markets. If you're ordering a day before delivery, allow a little time for the buds to open.
• Lisianthus   Most people haven't heard of these, but they are one of the best flowers for bereavement. Long-lasting, refined, and not what everyone else is sending.
• Chrysanthemums are reliable and long-lasting. White spray chrysanthemums work well in both formal service arrangements and home deliveries.
• Carnations Carnations have fallen out of fashion in other contexts, but for sympathy arrangements they genuinely make sense. They outlast almost any other cut flower, and they've always been associated with remembrance.

Varieties to think twice about:

• Peonies Stunning, but they're only available in spring and they don't last long once they've opened. Not the right choice for a family who has other things on their mind.
• Hydrangeas They need consistent water and they wilt fast if they don't get it. Best avoided for home delivery, especially in summer.
• Sunflowers and bright tropical varieties The tone is usually off for condolence work. There are exceptions - a family who specifically wants colour, or a celebration-of-life - but that's a deliberate choice, not a default one.

Natives and alternatives to the expected

Australian native wildflowers are increasingly popular for condolence arrangements, because they work really well when used thoughtfully.

Banksias, proteas, leucadendrons, and eucalyptus foliage bring something different and are less formal than lilies. Also they last longer than most soft-stemmed flowers. They're available most of the year through the Sydney Flower Market, and for families with a connection to the Australian landscape, they carry a meaning that many imported flowers don't.

White and cream natives such as leucadendron 'Blush', white protea, and eucalyptus sit comfortably within a traditional white palette. At the same time, they give you something less generic than the standard arrangement. In our experience, when families haven't specified a preference, a well-made native arrangement is often the one that gets the most comment.

What to write on a condolence card

The card is often the hardest part. A few things that generally hold true:

Keep it short. One sentence that names the person who's died and acknowledges the loss says more than a longer message that's searching for the right words and not quite finding them.

Use their name if you knew them. "We're thinking of you and of [name]" lands differently to a general condolence message, and it really matters when someone is grieving.

Avoid trying to reframe the loss. "In a better place" or "everything happens for a reason" are well-meaning but often don't land well. A simple, direct acknowledgement such as "We're so sorry. [Name] was known and loved by so many people" is almost always the right call.

At Susan Avery, we hand-write all sympathy card messages ourselves. If you're ordering by phone or online, give us your message and we'll write it for you. If you come into the studio in Woollahra, we have a large range available.

Timing, ordering, and delivery in Sydney

The most important thing with sympathy and condolence orders is to call us. These aren't like a birthday flowers where timing isn't a challenge. Funeral and memorial timing is usually tied to a particular date, a specific service, or a family's particular circumstances, and we work around that.

The earlier you're in touch, the more we can do.

For service deliveries especially, knowing the date and venue, and any requirements from the funeral director are really important. That said, we know that bereavement doesn't always allow for planning ahead, and we'll always do our best to make it work for you.

Call us directly on +61 2 9363 1168 to talk through what you need and when.

For casket flowers and formal funeral tributes, there are specific sizing and placement requirements. Your funeral director will have those details, or we can deal with them directly.

What sympathy flowers cost and what affects the price

Home delivery arrangements from Susan Avery start from $180. Most sympathy arrangements for the home sit in the $180-250 range depending on variety and whether a vase or pot is included.

Formal service arrangements such as wreaths and sheafs range from $200 to $500 and above depending on size and complexity.

Casket work is quoted separately.

The main things that affect the price are the flowers themselves (for instance, orchids are more expensive than lisianthus). Also factor in whether the arrangement includes a vessel, the size of the arrangement, and delivery deadlines.

We don't discount condolence orders or run promotions on this work. It's not that kind of order, and we don't treat it that way.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between sympathy flowers and funeral flowers?

Sympathy flowers go to the family, to their home or workplace,  as a personal gesture of condolence. Funeral flowers are formal arrangements sent to the service itself: the chapel, funeral home, or graveside. They serve different purposes and they're made differently. Susan Avery handles both, and we're happy to talk through which is right for you.

When should I send condolence flowers?

Any time in the first few weeks after a death is appropriate. A lot of people send in the days leading up to the service; others wait until the week after, when things have quietened down and the family is more on their own. Both are thoughtful. If you're not sure, within the first week is a safe guide.

What flowers are most appropriate for a condolence arrangement in Sydney?

Orchids, oriental lilies, lisianthus, white chrysanthemums, and carnations are all solid choices. They last well and they're right for the occasion. Australian native wildflowers like white protea, banksia, and eucalyptus are increasingly popular and work really well for families who appreciate something a bit different. Unless specifically instructed, we steer clear of bright tropical varieties and short-lived soft-stemmed flowers for condolence work.

Can you deliver sympathy flowers to a funeral home or chapel in Sydney?

Yes. We deliver to funeral homes, chapels, cemeteries, and memorial halls right across Sydney. The earlier you can get in touch the better. Call us on +61 2 9363 1168 and we'll sort out timing and any requirements with your funeral director directly.

How far in advance should I order condolence flowers?

As early as you can. For service delivery especially, knowing the date and venue well in advance means we can source the right varieties and put together something properly considered. But we understand that's not always possible so give us a call and we'll work out what we can do.

Should sympathy flowers arrive in a vase?

For a home delivery, yes  something that arrives in its own vessel is much better than a loose bouquet that needs a vase. A family dealing with a bereavement has enough going on. We put together our home condolence arrangements with that in mind.

What should I write on a condolence card?

Keep it short and use their name if you knew them. Something direct and simple such as  "We're so sorry. [Name] was loved by so many people who knew him" says more than a longer message that's searching for words. We hand-write all sympathy cards at the studio, so just give us your message and we'll take care of it.