DEAR ABBY: I'm having trouble getting my mind off this problem. My wife passed away four months ago. She dearly loved flowers, and everyone in the family knew it. I was very disappointed that with 35 relatives attending her funeral, only six sent flower arrangements.
I'd like to know the proper procedure for flowers at a funeral. If you attend the funeral, perhaps you don't need to send flowers. I have been to three funerals since my wife's death and sent flowers to each one. Please answer my letter to ease my mind. -- MOURNING IN TEXAS
DEAR MOURNING: Please accept my sympathy for the loss of your beloved wife.
To answer your question, there is no "requirement" that those who attend the funeral must send flowers. It's a matter of personal choice. The trend at funerals in recent years has been away from masses of flowers. Often the family will request that in lieu of flowers, a contribution in memory of the deceased be made to a charity, hoping something positive will result from their loss.
If it's any comfort to you, in my opinion six floral arrangements were appropriate tributes to your wife's fondness for flowers.