How to Send Condolence Flowers to the Philippines from Abroad

May 29, 2026

Hearing of a death from abroad is one of the hardest experiences for an OFW or overseas Filipino. You can't be there. You can't sit with the family. You can't attend the wake. Sending condolence flowers is the most direct way to make your presence felt across the distance — and in Filipino culture, it matters more than most people realize.

This guide covers everything: what to order, where to send it, what to write on the card, how Filipino wake customs work, and how to place your order from overseas with confidence.

Understanding the Filipino Wake (Lamay)

The Filipino wake is called lamay — a vigil that typically lasts 3 to 7 nights before burial. Families and friends gather at the funeral home (kapilya) to pray, share food, tell stories, and keep vigil together. It is a communal, social mourning experience — not a quiet, private one.

Key facts about the lamay that affect your flower delivery:

Duration: 3 to 7 nights is typical. Some families hold longer wakes (9 nights in some provinces) depending on logistics, tradition, and family preference. This means you have time — hearing the news on day 2 and sending flowers on day 3 is entirely appropriate.
Location: A funeral home chapel (kapilya), not the family's home. This is where flowers should be delivered. Common Metro Manila venues include Manila Memorial Park, La Funeraria Paz, Arlington Memorial Chapel, Saint Peter Memorial Chapel, Heritage Park, and Sanctuarium.
Flowers placement: Arrangements are placed near the casket, at the entrance of the chapel, or along the sides of the viewing area. Large standing arrangements (flower stands) near the casket are the most visible tribute.
Who sends flowers: Everyone — close family, extended family, friends, colleagues, classmates, organizations, employers. There is no threshold of closeness required to send flowers. If you knew the deceased or know the bereaved family, flowers are always appropriate.

Choosing the Right Condolence Arrangement

Standing Funeral Flower Stands

Large formal arrangements on a stand, displayed near the casket. These are the most traditional and visible form of funeral tribute in the Philippines. Appropriate from:

Employers or companies of the deceased or bereaved family
Close family members (especially those who cannot attend in person)
Organizations — alumni associations, church groups, professional societies

GiftGoNow's standing arrangements include the Rest in Peace Funeral & Condolences Flower Stand, Infinity Funeral Flowers Stand, Circle of Everlasting Light, and Eternal Embrace Flower Stand.

Condolence Bouquets

Hand-arranged bouquets placed near the casket or given directly to the family. Appropriate from friends, colleagues, classmates, and extended family. Personal and warm — the right choice when the relationship is individual rather than organizational.

GiftGoNow's condolence bouquets include the Infinity Condolence Flowers, Round Condolence Flowers, White Condolence Flowers, Simple Sympathy Flowers, and Peaceful Demise.

Condolence Baskets

Basket arrangements are warmer and more personal than formal stands. Appropriate for close friends and extended family. The Deepest Sympathies Funeral Flower Basket is GiftGoNow's most-sent basket arrangement for condolences.

Colors: What Is Appropriate for Filipino Wakes

White is the primary color for Philippine funeral flowers — symbolizing purity, peace, and the soul's passage. Additional guidance:

Color	Appropriate?	Notes
White	✅ Always	The standard. Chrysanthemums, white roses, white lilies, white carnations.
Pale yellow	✅ Yes	Soft and respectful. Not festive.
Soft purple / lavender	✅ Yes	Associated with mourning in some traditions.
Pale pink	✅ Acceptable	More common for younger deceased or female deceased.
Bright red	❌ Avoid	Too romantic / celebratory for a wake context.
Orange	❌ Avoid	Too festive.
Deep magenta / hot pink	❌ Avoid	Too vibrant for a mourning context.

Where to Send the Flowers: Getting the Address Right

This is the most common mistake overseas senders make — sending to the family home instead of the funeral home.

The family is not at home during the wake. They are at the chapel, and they stay there — day and night, for the duration of the lamay. Flowers delivered to the family home during the wake will arrive to an empty house.

What you need:

Name and complete address of the funeral home / chapel (kapilya)
Name of the deceased (so the delivery team can locate the right chapel room)
Contact number of a family member who will be at the wake

How to get this information: Message a family member or mutual contact. A simple "Where is the lamay being held?" is entirely appropriate — families expect to share this information.

Common Metro Manila funeral venues:

Manila Memorial Park (Parañaque)
La Funeraria Paz (multiple branches)
Arlington Memorial Chapel (Quezon City)
Saint Peter Memorial Chapel (multiple branches)
Heritage Park (Taguig)
Sanctuarium (San Juan)
Loyola Memorial Park (Marikina / Marikina area)

What to Write on the Message Card

Keep it short and sincere. Two to three lines is ideal. Some ready-to-use messages:

In English

"With our deepest condolences to you and your family. [Name] will be remembered always."
"We are so sorry for your loss. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers."
"In loving memory of [Name]. May your family find peace and comfort in the days ahead."
"Words are not enough — but please know we are with you in spirit."

In Filipino / Tagalog

"Lubos kaming nakikiramay sa inyong pamilya. Nandito kami para sa inyo."
"Iniaalay namin ito bilang parangal kay [Name]. Palagi naming aalalahanin siya."
"Nagdadalamhati kami sa inyong kawalan. Manalangin kami para sa inyo."

For a full occasion-by-occasion message card guide, read our complete message card guide →

Timing: When to Send Condolence Flowers

As soon as possible after hearing the news — but don't panic if you're a day or two late. The lamay lasts multiple days, and flowers sent on day 3 of a 5-day wake are entirely appropriate.

Same-day delivery is available for orders placed before 2:00 PM Philippine Time (PHT). From overseas:

UAE / Dubai: order before 10:00 AM GST
Saudi Arabia: order before 9:00 AM AST
Singapore: order before 2:00 PM SGT (same time zone)
USA East Coast: order before 2:00 AM EDT
USA West Coast: order before 11:00 PM PDT the night before
Australia (Sydney): order before 4:00 PM AEST

If you miss the same-day cutoff, next-day delivery is available. Given that the wake typically lasts multiple days, next-day delivery is almost always still within the wake period.

Beyond the Wake: Pasiyam and the 40th Day

Filipino mourning observances continue beyond burial:

Pasiyam — a 9-night novena prayer held in the family home after burial. Flowers sent for the pasiyam are rare and therefore deeply appreciated. Deliver to the family home (not the funeral parlor).

40th Day — a significant commemoration marking 40 days after death, rooted in Catholic tradition. A small family gathering is usually held. Flowers sent for the 40th day — especially from overseas — make an extraordinary impression because almost no one thinks to do it.

If you want to honor a bereavement relationship over time, these two occasions are your highest-impact opportunities after the initial wake flowers.

How to Place Your Order with GiftGoNow

Browse GiftGoNow's sympathy and funeral flower collection →
Select your arrangement and proceed to checkout
Enter the funeral home name and address as the delivery address
Include the name of the deceased in the delivery notes
Add a contact number for a family member at the wake
Write your message card (in English or Filipino)
Pay securely with international Visa, Mastercard, or PayPal
Receive photo proof of delivery once the arrangement arrives

Questions? Reach us at customerservice@giftgonow.com or WhatsApp +63 945 823 1087.

For the full overseas ordering guide, read: How to Send Flowers to the Philippines from Abroad: The Complete Guide →

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