When attending a funeral service, you should bring a token or gift showing that you empathize with the grieving family. You should take a basket of flowers or consider some memorial cards for funeral events. Assistance to the grieving family and interment gifts can be offered before or after the burial.
You may offer flowers as most traditionally do. Flower baskets are usually given during the wake. There are certain blooms that are appropriate for the occasion. Carnations, white lilies and roses are common blossoms given to the family of the deceased. They are usually offered with a sympathy card from the sender.
If you want to give something that will last a lifetime, consider giving a plat or tree. You may present this in a small pot at the funeral service. You can also send it to the residence of the grieving family. As a lifetime remembrance to the dead, the plant or shrub can be planted in the garden.
If the dead had patronized and supported a charitable institution, you can also offer your condolences by making a donation to the charity. This is a common alternative to sending flowers. Your monetary offering can be made in honor of the dead person as remembrance to his dedication to his charitable cause.
You could present the family of the deceased with a memorial guestbook. Don't just get any booklet off the shelf of a bookstore. There are custom-made books that have the name and other details about the dead engraved on the booklet. This is something that is often necessary at memorial services.
Check out some note cards where you can write a short message of sympathy. There are those with pre-printed words of condolences and others that are blank where you can inscribe your own message. Send yours with a bouquet of flowers or a potted plant.
