Do Funeral Homes Get a Commission on Flowers?

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Sometimes, yes. When a family orders flowers through a funeral home’s website store, the funeral home may earn a commission on the sale. funeralOne, the company behind The Sympathy Store, says its funeral home partners earn a commission on every sale made through that store. A commission does not by itself make your order cost more or less. Price depends on the store and the product, and you can compare it with other florists.

Want to compare? Shop Bloom Lane sympathy flowers. Delivery is included in every price, only tax is extra, and you can see the total before you pay.

What funeralOne says about commissions

funeralOne describes The Sympathy Store as a service it provides to funeral homes. Its guided tour says: “With every sale made through The Sympathy Store, your firm will earn a competitive commission.” Its pricing page says the funeral home “will earn a fixed-rate on the sale of items purchased from your Sympathy Store,” and that the rate varies by gift category. The page refers to a commission table, but the rates themselves are not shown in the text we reviewed.

The same pricing page says funeralOne pays funeral home partners their commissions monthly. Ask the funeral home or funeralOne for the current rate if it matters to your decision.

funeralOne presents the commission as a revenue stream for the funeral home. The guided tour says that “the commissions will add another revenue stream,” and funeralOne’s blog describes the store as a benefit to funeral homes. Its pages do not describe a commission as a hidden charge; it is an arrangement between the funeral home and the store.

What the FTC’s Funeral Rule covers

The Federal Trade Commission’s consumer guidance focuses on price disclosure. It says you can ask for an itemized price list “when you start talking about funeral arrangements and prices.” It also says you can use “a casket or urn you bought somewhere else.”

That guidance does not address flowers or commissions on flowers. So it does not tell you whether a funeral home must accept flowers you buy from another florist. Ask the funeral home directly, and ask for the answer in writing if you can.

What this means for your order

You do not need to avoid a funeral home’s store because it may earn a commission. Before you order, though, it helps to know three things:

• Compare the price. Look at the same product from another florist, and include delivery and tax in the comparison. Some products are listed with delivery included in the price, and tax is extra.
• Check the arrangement. Read the description and look at the photo. Ask what size the piece will be and what it will include.
• Know who to contact. Ask who handles billing, delivery and customer service if something goes wrong. Our guide to what to do when a funeral flower order goes wrong covers the next steps.

If you would rather choose the florist

You can order from the florist you prefer, as long as the funeral home agrees to receive the delivery. Our guide on how to send flowers to a funeral home explains what to send, and do funeral homes accept flower deliveries covers what to ask. The funeral home’s staff can tell you where flowers should go, and when the receiving point is open.

Bloom Lane is a florist you can order from directly. Bloom Lane is a separate, independent florist and is not affiliated with The Sympathy Store, funeralOne or HelloFlowers. For a home gift, compare Ivory Haven Bouquet and Gentle Embrace, once the family has said flowers are welcome. For a piece at the funeral home or chapel, Service Floor Basket and Lily & Rose Tribute are options, but confirm placement first.

Our guide to buying funeral flowers through a funeral home or florist compares the two routes.

Related guides

• What is The Sympathy Store?
• Is The Sympathy Store legit?
• The Sympathy Store vs. ordering from a florist
• Sending flowers from an obituary page

Questions about funeral home commissions

Does the funeral home always get a commission?

Not necessarily. funeralOne says funeral homes earn a commission on every sale made through The Sympathy Store. If you order flowers through a different florist, or through a store the funeral home does not use, this commission does not apply. Ask the funeral home which store its website uses if you want to know.

Does a commission make the flowers cost more?

Not by itself. The price depends on the product, the store and any delivery or tax charges. Compare the total price for the same arrangement from another florist before you decide.

Can I order flowers from a florist instead?

Often, yes. Ask the funeral home first whether it will accept outside flower deliveries, and where and when flowers should arrive. Get the answer in writing if possible.

Does the FTC Funeral Rule cover flowers?

The FTC’s consumer guidance does not mention flowers. It covers itemized price lists and says you can buy a casket or urn elsewhere. For flowers, ask the funeral home how it handles outside orders.

Further reading

• funeralOne: The Sympathy Store guided tour
• funeralOne: The Sympathy Store commissions and pricing
• funeralOne blog: The Sympathy Store uses
• Federal Trade Commission: Funeral Rule and shopping guidance