Sympathy Flowers for the First Thanksgiving After a Loss
Written by DGM Flowers Co.
Short answer: If someone you love lost a family member this year, sending flowers around Thanksgiving tells them you haven't forgotten. Choose something calm and long-lasting, like a white arrangement or a plant, deliver it a few days before the holiday, and write a short note that names the person they lost.
Most sympathy flowers arrive in the first week or two after a death. Then the cards stop, the casseroles stop, and the family is left with the quiet. Holidays bring that back hard. An empty chair at Thanksgiving is often when grief hits again, sometimes harder than at the funeral.
We're DGM Flowers Co., a local Fort Lauderdale florist. We deliver a lot of sympathy flowers, and we've noticed that the orders families remember most are often the ones that come later, when they least expect them.
Why send flowers weeks or months later
It shows you remember. Grieving people often say the hardest part is feeling like everyone else has moved on.
It breaks the silence. Many people don't know what to say, so they say nothing. Flowers with a short note give the family permission to talk about the person they lost, or not.
It's not too late. There's no deadline on sympathy. A November delivery for a loss in the spring or summer is still welcome.
What to send
At the holidays, think about what fits a family home, not a funeral service.
White or soft-toned arrangements. Calm colors feel right without being heavy. The Peaceful White Lilies Basket is one option from our sympathy and funeral flowers collection.
A plant. A plant lasts long past the holiday and can become a living reminder. A white phalaenopsis orchid is elegant and easy to care for. Browse more in our plants and orchids collections.
A small centerpiece for the table. Some families welcome a gentle fall centerpiece for their Thanksgiving table, especially one that doesn't feel festive. If you're not sure, a plant or a white arrangement is the safer choice. Our Thanksgiving flowers collection has the fall options.
What to skip: large standing sprays and casket pieces belong at the service, not in someone's living room. If you're sending to a home with cats, avoid lilies, which are toxic to cats.
What to write on the card
You don't need to say much. The most meaningful notes are short and specific.
"Thinking of you and remembering Dad this Thanksgiving."
"Missing Maria with you this season. You're in our hearts."
"No need to reply. Just wanted you to know we're thinking of you."
"Holding your family close this holiday. With love, the Johnsons."
Saying the name of the person who died is one of the kindest things you can do. Many grieving people say they long to hear it. Avoid phrases like "they're in a better place" or "everything happens for a reason." "No need to reply" takes pressure off someone who's already overwhelmed.
If you're grieving too
Sometimes the person sending flowers is part of the family. If you've lost someone this year and are hosting Thanksgiving anyway, it's okay to keep things simple. Some families set a single flower or a small arrangement beside a photo of the person they miss, so they're part of the table. Others light a candle or share a favorite story before the meal. There's no right way to do it.
When to deliver
Aim for a few days before Thanksgiving, rather than on the day. The family may be travelling, hosting, or wanting quiet, and a delivery on the holiday itself can be one more thing to manage. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, 2026.
Our regular same-day cutoff is 2 PM, Monday through Friday. Saturday deliveries need to be ordered by Friday.
Thanksgiving delivery order cutoff: 12 PM ET, Wednesday, Nov 25. No deliveries on Thanksgiving Day (Thu, Nov 26).
If the family has a significant date coming up, such as a birthday or anniversary, that can be a meaningful time to send flowers too.
Ordering tips
Give us a phone number for the recipient, especially for condos and gated communities.
Ask about a quiet delivery. If you'd like the driver to leave the flowers without lingering, let us know in the delivery notes. Quiet drop-off is available on request.
Check the delivery area. We deliver around Greater Fort Lauderdale. See where we deliver.
For flowers for a funeral service itself, see our guide to funeral flower etiquette.
Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to send sympathy flowers months after a death?
Yes. There is no deadline for sympathy. Flowers around the holidays, an anniversary or a birthday show the family you still remember.
What flowers are appropriate for a grieving family at Thanksgiving?
White or soft-toned arrangements and plants are the safest choices. Some families also welcome a gentle fall centerpiece for their table.
What should I write on a holiday sympathy card?
Keep it short. Name the person who died, say you're thinking of them, and consider adding "no need to reply."
Should flowers arrive on Thanksgiving Day?
We suggest a few days before. We don't deliver on Thanksgiving Day itself (Thu, Nov 26); order by 12 PM ET Wed, Nov 25.
Can I order sympathy flowers from out of state?
Yes. Order online at any time or call (954) 884-0330, Monday to Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.
Let them know you remember. Browse sympathy flowers or call DGM Flowers at (954) 884-0330.
