How to choose messages for funeral wreaths

Sending flowers when someone dies is a gesture of remembrance and respect. Expressing our condolences with a floral arrangement is very common when someone close to us loses a loved one. It can be difficult, however, to decide which phrases to write on the cards of the funeral bouquets we send. In this article, Áltima will help you to choose the right words.

What should you consider when choosing the right phrases to put on funeral wreaths?

It is important to choose the right messages for the funeral wreaths we send to relatives. There are several things to consider before deciding on our words:

- Sentences should be short. Space is limited. We can only write on one side of the card so we will not be able to write very much. Therefore, a clear, concrete and direct message should be used, but with a meaning for us and for the deceased person or their relatives.

- Your relationship with the deceased. A closer relationship will afford a more informal message. Some funeral wreath phrases are more personalised whilst others are more standard.

- Adapt your tone. The phrase you choose for the card on your funeral wreath may be personal, sober, touching or even humorous. A lot will depend on how the deceased person was in life and the relationship you had with them.

- The signature. In most cases, the dedications on a funeral wreath bear the name of the person or people sending the flowers (your children, grandchildren, etc), and this also takes up a space on the card that needs to be taken into account.

- The dedication. Remember that, although the wreath will be seen by family and friends, the text should be addressed to the deceased, as it is a way of remembering them and saying goodbye. It is not the same to say 'we will miss our grandfather' as 'we will miss you'.

- Personalised message. There are phrases that we all know and use when expressing our condolences to someone. But although they are often common words, this does not mean that they are not emotionally charged. However, if we do not want them to sound like a standard phrase, it is important to personalise the messages on the funeral wreath cards as much as possible. This can be done with a signature or a little something that shows our relationship with the deceased.

The best funeral wreath messages

Given all the above, it can be said that there are many useful phrases that can be chosen to put on funeral wreaths, but the context is very important when deciding on the right words.

Here are some typical instances in which a well-chosen phrase can make all the difference:

Phrases to use on funeral wreaths for friendship

When a friend passes away, the phrase we use on their funeral wreath will be close, personal and, most likely, have an emotional and relaxed tone. It may even be humorous in some cases. Here are some ideas of phrases to use on funeral wreaths for friendship:
 

1. ‘We will miss you at the office’.
2. ‘Your friends will not forget you’.
3. ‘Our card games will never be the same again’.
4. ‘Fly high, dear friend’.
5. ‘Always in the hearts of your friends’.
6. ‘We will always remember you. Your school friends’.
7. ‘With love from your classmates. RIP’.
8. Rest in peace, (name of deceased person)’.
9. ’Rest eternally, my friend’.
10. ‘You leave behind a great void’.

Phrases to use on funeral wreaths for family members

Phrases to use on funeral wreaths for family members
For someone who has lost a relative, writing a phrase on their funeral wreath is not easy. In such cases, the message is very personal, with a special emotional touch and a tone of closeness that should express how much we knew the deceased person and how much we will miss them. Here are some examples of phrases to use on funeral wreaths for relatives:

1. ‘I will miss you very much’.
2. Your memory will always live in my heart’.
3. ‘How lucky I was to have you as my (grandad, father, etc)!’
4. ‘Your sons and grandchildren will never forget you’.
5. ‘You will always live on in our memory’.
6. ‘I will always carry you in my heart’.
7. ‘I will miss your cooking, Grandma’.
8. ‘Your family will always love you’.
9. ‘This is not a goodbye, it’s a see you later’.
10. ‘Watch over us from heaven, (Grandma, Mum, etc)’.

Phrases to use on funeral wreaths for a partner

Perhaps the most difficult words to choose are those we use to say goodbye to the person we love. Saying farewell to our partner is not easy and, therefore, at Áltima we also want to suggest some phrases to use on funeral wreaths for a partner. With these, you can express your feelings, show closeness and affection, and say a loving farewell to the person who has passed away:

1. ‘I will always love you’.
2. ‘Rest in peace, my love’.
3. ‘It's impossible to say goodbye to you, my love’.
4. ‘It hurts so much to say goodbye!’
5. ‘I will always carry you with me’.
6. ‘How fortunate to have met you!’
7. ‘Love, may the ground be light for you’.
8. ‘I will never forget you, my darling’.
9. ‘We'll meet again’.
10. ‘I'll miss your hugs’.

Advice on choosing the right dedications for funeral wreaths

It is difficult to choose appropriate words of remembrance for a deceased loved one, and writing dedications on funeral wreaths is no exception. What should you consider when selecting these words of remembrance and condolences?

• Consider the relationship you had with the deceased, as the closeness of your words will depend on this.
• Choose the most appropriate size and design for the wreath, as larger wreaths are usually chosen by those closest to the deceased.
• Think about the most suitable type of flowers, as each flower and its colour can have a different symbolism when it comes to expressing the emotions you wish to convey.
• Personalise the phrase for your funeral wreath so that it truly expresses a meaningful message and has a special character.

The right choice of words to put on a funeral wreath is essential to convey a message of respect and condolences. Keep this in mind when sending flowers after a loved one has passed away and, if you have any doubts, please get in touch with the Áltima team who will happily advise you on the most appropriate options.