

1. The smartest move is to locate a florist in the town or area where the flowers are to be delivered. Particularly if you find one that offers free delivery. You can place your order online or phone it in.
2. Don’t send cut flowers to the funeral home or funeral location. Yes, they are cheaper, but the funeral director will reject them. You can have them sent to the home of the loved ones after.
3. Instead of choosing from the sympathy arrangements, pick from the general every day arrangements. It’s a more economical category and you’ll get just as nice arrangements.
4. Get the order in a day or two ahead of time if you can. Then the floral designer will not be slapping it together while the delivery guy is buggin’ her/him to hurry up. You’ll get a better design!
5. Let the designer work out a good arrangement. If you insist it has to have such and such flowers, and be shaped just so and so, she’ll grit her teeth and do the best with what she’s got, but if she’s out of carnations, she’s not so likely to substitute lilies or orchids for you, which will give you more than your money’s worth!
If you are in a great hurry, and don’t have time for the above links, call a network like 1-800 flowers and let them work on the details.