Funeral Flowers in New York City: Venue and Receiving Guide

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To send funeral flowers in New York City, first confirm where they will be received: a funeral home, a cemetery, a house of worship, or the family’s home. Each venue has its own rules, so the borough matters less than the exact place, its receiving process, and whether flowers are welcome there at all.

Start with the venue, not the borough

A borough tells you where a venue is, not what it allows. Identify the type of venue first, then ask the questions that apply to it. If you want to browse by area after you know the venue, the New York funeral flower delivery page lists borough and city pages.

What to ask at each type of venue

Funeral home or viewing. Ask whether the family has requested flowers, whether the funeral home can receive them, and where they should be placed. Some families ask for donations instead, and a funeral notice that says so should be followed. Ask for the exact name and address the funeral home uses, and whether the room has floor space for a standing piece or only a table.

Cemetery. Cemetery rules control what can stay on a grave, and they differ from one cemetery to the next. Green-Wood in Brooklyn, for example, allows fresh bouquets at gravesites, asks that plastic, cellophane, and wire be removed before placing flowers, and does not permit artificial flowers at gravesites. Its published rules say prohibited items may be removed during regular mowing. Woodlawn in the Bronx publishes its own Rules and Regulations, which you should read before ordering. For a cemetery in Queens or elsewhere in the city, call the office and ask what is allowed on a grave, what container is acceptable, and how long tributes remain.

House of worship. Ask the parish or congregation office whether flowers may go in the sanctuary, chapel, or hall, and whether the family has a preference. Customs vary by tradition. In Jewish mourning, for example, My Jewish Learning notes that flowers are usually not sent to a shiva house, while food and a donation to a charity chosen by the mourners are more customary. Confirm with the family before sending anything to a mourning household.

The family’s home. Ask whether the family wants flowers at home. If the household is in an apartment building, ask the family how deliveries are received there, and make sure the recipient knows a delivery is coming.

Check the receiving rules before you order

Gather these details before you choose a product:

• The venue’s name as it will be known on the day, the street address, and the room or building entrance.
• The ZIP code for the delivery location and the date the family needs flowers.
• Whether the venue accepts flowers, where they should go, and who to contact on site.
• The cemetery’s rules, if the destination is a grave.

Enter the destination ZIP and requested date at checkout and review the order before you pay. Delivery is free on every order and included in the price; applicable tax is added separately. Delivery windows and arrival times depend on the order and the destination, so do not assume a specific time. Confirm the plan with the venue directly when you can.

Choose a size for a small apartment or a funeral home lobby

Size labels are not measurements. Measure the space before you choose: the usable width of a table or shelf, the floor area for a standing piece, the height available, and the route the flowers will take to reach the display.

In a small apartment, a compact design suits a table, shelf, or sideboard better than a tall spray. A Gentle Embrace is designed for the family home. A Serenity Basket is a generous basket, so check the selected option’s dimensions before choosing it for a small room. A Signature Orchid is a living plant, so confirm that the recipient is willing to care for it. For more on fitting an arrangement to a small room, see choosing flowers for a small space.

In a funeral home lobby or viewing room, the question is floor space and clearance. A Standing Spray needs floor room and a clear path to the entrance or aisle. A Remembrance Wreath is a full circular tribute on a standing easel. A Service Floor Basket is set on the floor in a white pedestal urn, so confirm its height and footprint. Ask the funeral home for the usable width, whether the display can stand against a wall, and whether it will block a door or a seating row. A fuller design may not fit a small lobby, even if it looks suitable in a photo.

Questions about sending funeral flowers in New York City

Do I need to ask the funeral home before sending flowers?

Yes. Some families decline flowers, and a funeral home may have its own process for receiving them. Ask before you pay so you can change the plan if flowers are not welcome.

Should I send flowers to a family sitting shiva?

Usually not. According to My Jewish Learning, flowers are not usually sent to a shiva house, while food and a donation to a charity chosen by the mourners are more customary. A short personal note is a simple alternative.

Which venue should I choose for a New York City service?

Choose the venue the family names. If they have not decided, ask whether they want flowers at the funeral home, the cemetery, the house of worship, or the home, and whether they want flowers at all. Confirm the address and the rules for that venue before you order.

Further reading

• Green-Wood Cemetery: Graveside Tributes
• Woodlawn Cemetery & Conservancy: Rules and Regulations
• My Jewish Learning: How to Make a Shiva Call