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In Lieu of Flowers

Site Continues to Offer Excellent Sympathy and Bereavement Etiquette Tools and Resources

New Articles Increase the Value to this Widely-Visited Website

Victoria, Texas, February 17, 2010Clay Atchison, of www.InLieuofFlowers.info, announces updates to the site which have made it an even better resource for both funeral directors and members of the general public who need guidance in expressing sympathy to friends or family after the death of a loved one.

People often wonder about the proper thing to do; should they just send a card, flowers or make that impersonal donation to a charity in the name of the deceased? Our goal is to help them make that important decision more easilyand to do something that they will be proud of years down the line, declared Clay.  You certainly cant go back and do it over again; so doing the right thing is essential.

Weve now got even more articles in our archive, shared Clay, including an insightful article for human resource managers and business owners:  Business Memorial Contribution Etiquette and Policies.  Our Google stats have proven that is an often-visited page within the site; which tells me that people are starved for information on how to handle expression of sympathy within the context of the workplace.  This new article will help managers and co-workers arrive at the socially-acceptable expression of sympathy, while staying within their company guidelines, shared Clay.

Helping Families Make Difficult Decisions Just Got Easier

Funeral Directors are the first to admit that people often wonder about the proper thing to do.  In recent times its been expedient to suggest charitable donations, however the research has proven that the presence of flowers at funerals help ease the emotional turmoil of grief and loss.  While more and more families are requesting that donations to charitable organizations be made in honor of their departed loved ones, the wording of the request often reads something along the lines of In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to  This statement is perceived as a limitation by many who would like to express their sympathy to the family.

Ive watched people stress out over these decisions, and ultimately do nothing at all,  said Clay Atchison, Web master of the site, InLieuofFlowers.info in a recent interview.  Then they feel so guilty about the whole thing.  Its heart wrenching to watch them struggle to find the perfect solution.

Flowers Truly Say More

We know from research and from our own experience that flowers provide a voice for the many people who have difficulty find the right words of consolation and support during a time of tragedy.  InLieuofFlowers.info founder Atchison said.  Flowers are a tangible means of showing concern, affection and sympathy for the bereaved.

At the funeral service, flowers also help brighten a somber environment and provide a topic of conversation and a tranquil focal point.  The study further demonstrated that because of their soothing qualities, sympathy flowers displayed at funerals actually had a positive impact on the emotional well-being of the bereaved.  After the funeral service, arrangements and plants act as keepsakes to brighten the home and in the case of flowering plants, can serve as a living memorial to the deceased. Atchison added.

Funeral director, Todd Van Beck offers this elegant comment on the subject:  Families deserve the right of complete freedom of expression at time of death.  People are not cut from the same spiritual or emotional mold.  Therefore, they should be free to express themselves in the manner which best conveys their emotions.  Any expression which is the result of dictate ceases to be an act of the heart.

Selecting the Right Flowers for the Relationship Shared

Another difficult decision facing friends and family members who choose to send flowers in lieu of a donation, involved the actual selection of sympathy flowers.  InLieuofFlowers.info provides insight into buying the right flowers for the type of relationship shared.  Whether the deceased was an immediate family member, a friend, neighbor, or a business associate, InLieuofFlowers.info has the recommended floral arrangement.  We want InLieuofFlowers.info to remain the most-informative, most-visited of its kind, declared Clay.  And that means giving people what they need to ease their path during a time of loss.

InLieuofFlowers.info provides support you may be looking for.  Its my goal to help people come to know the perfect heart-driven action to take, and assist them in taking it with ease and the self-assurance that comes when you know youve done the right thing.

InLieuofFlower.info is a website where you can locate the resources to select the perfect expression of sympathy after the death of a loved one, friend or acquaintance.  The wealth of information on the site ranges from the tribute guide by relationship, mentioned earlier, to a selection of bereavement poems and sympathy card messages.  Theres also a section covering sympathy etiquette, as well as a compendium of funeral hymns, and a glossary of sympathy terminology.