04Expert Video Answers

What can you send instead of flowers when someone dies in Australia?

James Daniels's profile pictureAnswered byJames DanielsFuneral ArrangerReviewed by Kevin Finn27 July 2026Watch · 1:20

Check the funeral notice first, as the family may request donations to a particular charity. Other thoughtful alternatives include delivering a prepared meal, sending a card with a specific memory, or offering practical help with a clear task. Keep the family’s need for privacy and time to grieve in mind rather than expecting an immediate response.

For related guidance, see what are the most meaningful options for a loved one’s ashes in Australia?.

Read the video transcript

Yeah, well, a lot of families these days will ask for donations. That is a very big one these days. Just make sure that you're checking on any funeral notices if there are any requests for payments to be made to a certain charity. Instead of sending flowers, there's a few different things that you can do to show that you care. So, one would be if you're local, maybe dropping in some food for the family so they're not having to worry about that during such a difficult time. You could also send a card. Also just offers of support and just letting them know that you're there to support them. It's also really important to give families time to grieve and time to themselves. Sometimes too many people bombarding a family can be overwhelming for them at the time. So, it's good to keep that in mind. So, I would suggest if you didn't want to send flowers and you wanted to do something a little bit different, just kind of reading the situation and thinking maybe sending them a card offering some, some assistance if needed or sending them some food or something like that. But just knowing that they might need that time just to themselves to grieve.

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