Many obituaries today include an "In Lieu of Flowers" statement.
It is possible the family made this request. HOWEVER, most of the time, the family is not even aware the statement will appear in the obituary. When funeral directors assist the family in preparing an obituary, many use a fill-in-the-blank form that is sent to the newspaper. When they ask the family what their favorite charity is, it goes in the blank after "In Lieu of Flowers". Again, the family may not have necessarily requested that floral tributes not be sent.
Most people feel floral tributes are critical for funeral and memorial services. Floral tributes are the best way to send your sympathy and condolences to a family that is grieving the loss of a loved one for the following reasons:
Flowers say what you often can't put into words.Flowers show your concern, love, and support.Flowers remind survivors how much their loved one meant to the world.Flowers show compassion for the family and respect for the deceasedFlowers ease the grieving process.If you are concerned about sending a floral tribute when an obituary has the "In Lieu of Flowers statement, green or blooming plants are excellent options. In addition, a floral arrangement, plant or fruit basket delivered to the family's home is also appreciated.