#GrievingCoworker #SympathyFlowers #EtiquetteAdvice
Hey friends, I could really use your input on something. My coworker recently lost her beloved grandfather, and my boss asked me to pick up some flowers for her. I’ve got a bouquet and a card ready, but now I’m second-guessing everything 🤔.
Here are my main questions:
– Is spending $45 on the bouquet and $10 on the card too much or not enough?
– Should I give the flowers to her at work or have them delivered to her home? I don’t have her home address, so I’m leaning towards giving it to her in the office since we have some privacy in the mornings.
Help a newbie out! What do you think I should do in this situation? Would love to hear your thoughts and any advice you have to offer. 🌸💭 #SupportingACoworker #FirstTimeHandlingGriefSituation
My old job I was in charge of ordering flowers for employees in these situations.
My budget was $75 and we would send them to the employee’s house or the funeral if we had the venue information.
So I don’t think $45 is too much, and the thought will go a long way for the recipient.
If you don’t have access to their address, at work should be fine, but I might do it at the end of the day in case people ask about the flowers when they see them throughout the day. That way they’re not telling the story of loss all day.
I would ask your admin team or HR if they have a way to get the flowers delivered to the funeral home or her house. Having this sort of thing come to work can be hard for people – it brings the loss to the forefront and may mean people asking all day why she has flowers.
I would ask your HR team for her address if you don’t have it. If they’re being a pain about it, giving it to her at work at the end of the day is just as nice.
We send flowers and a DoorDash or Uber gift card in these situations.
If HR isn’t comfortable giving out her address, maybe ask HR to deliver them? I am in HR and I have sent out grievance flowers plenty of times, and don’t think that’s a large ask for a coworker that’s having a tough time.
Edit: can you look up the obituary online and deliver them to the funeral home?
I would ask HR to give you their home address and send the flowers there.
I would spend $75-$100 if your company is ok with it.
I don’t like flowers for death because flowers also die. I’d go for a voucher to a massage or for a shop you know she likes.
Flowers are standard to send for deaths. I do it as HR myself but I see yours doesn’t do that. That’s not abnormal either, often it falls on managers or department to do this kind of thing.
It’s OK to bring them to work if an address is unavailable. Sending is preferred but don’t stress if it’s in person.
A bouquet is lovely. Most shops will also help you pick out an arrangement if you ever need to do this again for someone else.
Everyone else answered your question, so all I can say is that was very kind of you to think of your coworker. ❤️
I would suggest sometbing like wind chimes.
Ask HR what they usually do. Is there a funeral? Send flowers to the funeral.
Ask her for her address (if HR won’t provide it to you) and say the office wants to send her something. Sending them to work may trigger her. It’s a lovely gesture.
Can you send to the funeral home? Do you have the obituary?
When I did this, I budgeted $75. I had a regular florist that I used, and they know I prefer to send dish gardens. I always sent to the house